Better than Eneloops?

I ordered a few sets of PowerGenix NiZn (Zinc based) rechargeables to give them a go. Their claim is 1.6v (vs 1.2 for NiMh) and highdrain. I've been VERY happy with the performance of Eneloops. I get 300-700 pops out of a charge, they don't self drain, recycle doesn't slow down after a few pops like Alkalines, They recycle faster than Alkalines(a lot faster), they don't heat up like Lithiums.

Still, always looking for something better. A few devices can't live with 1.2 volts, like PocketWizzards TT5's.

No field testing with the NiZn's yet, but I just did a stopwatch test the blew me away.
580ex-II on manual / full power. I press the pilot button, start the watch, wait for the light to glow red stop the watch. Eneloops, 2.79 seconds, and holds pretty steady, even after a dozen pops in a row. The PowerGenix's, 1.64 seconds, and hold steady, even after a dozen pops in a row(no rest). The NiZn's came out a bit warmer, but not HOT like Lithium's.

WARNING I ran a dozen pops again, to confirm my results before posting. My 580 is DEAD. At first it would power on, but not charge. Now, after a cooldown, it won't even power on. Smells burnt too. So, I've killed it. The batteries are better, but, more than the flash can handle.

JC4 wrote in post #11352882
WARNING I ran a dozen pops again, to confirm my results before posting. My 580 is DEAD. At first it would power on, but not charge. Now, after a cooldown, it won't even power on. Smells burnt too. So, I've killed it. The batteries are better, but, more than the flash can handle.

It's not necessarily the batteries, but the number of consecutive flashes. Check out the warning on page 7 of the manual.

I took Sly Arena's Speedliting class and he talked about this. He said that NiMH batteries come in two types. Slow drain and fast output fast drain. He said that if you shoot weddings or something we're you're popping the flash very frequently that they will recharge the flash faster. But he also said that they will cause overheating if you're not careful and burn up your speedlite.

Sorry this happened to you. Next time stick with the Eneloops or PowerEX.

D Thompson wrote in post #11353011
It's not necessarily the batteries, but the number of consecutive flashes. Check out the warning on page 7 of the manual.

That's why I stop testing after a dozen. Its enough pops to significantly slow Alkaline's, and prove to me NiMh's (and now NiZn's) are a lot faster, but not enough to overheat the flash.(according to the manual, 20)

However, my flash did NOT comeback after 15 minutes(indicated on page 7), or even still(just rechecked). Its dead, tried a couple sets of batteries. Nothing on the LCD at all. So, either a coincidence, or the speed of the batteries allowed the flash to cook, before the thermal protection circuit could engage.

There is a chance its a coincidence. This unit was recently repaired by Canon, it was only pre-flashing. They replaced the flash-tube and PCB. So, if it the new PCB was defective, its only a few weeks old, but it has been worked the past few weeks.

JC4 wrote in post #11353055
That's why I stop testing after a dozen. Its enough pops to significantly slow Alkaline's, and prove to me NiMh's (and now NiZn's) are a lot faster, but not enough to overheat the flash.(according to the manual, 20)

I wonder if you can do fewer pops before the damage happens since it is recycling almost twice as fast?

These batteries can deliver more power but they can't be charged properly in a standard charger.

As for your flash it's probably a resistor or diode that burned up which is not hard to fix. If it's out of warranty and your considering sending it for repair there is no risk to open it yourself. They will have to disassemble to make the repair anyway so you can send it in parts if needed. Once you have the circuit in your hand you should clearly see which component is burned.

D Thompson wrote in post #11353119
I wonder if you can do fewer pops before the damage happens since it is recycling almost twice as fast?

I would think so, but have no idea how to test if any internal damage is being done, with say the first 5 pops. In a work environment, that would be plenty in rapid succession. Just no way to determine how much you're shortening the life of the flash. Myself, I'm done with the NiZn's unless Canon puts better thermal protection in their speedlites. I just can't stay that aware of how many consecutive pops, and cool down time, while working. I'd come to depend on it, and overshoot the limit, for sure. Best to stick with the eneloops, and time my shots within their recycle limits.
edit: mis-read your question. You were probably asking if the manual's stated 20 was based on slower Alkaline's. Yup, probably. Still the manual says a thermal protector kicks in. That didn't happen.

I was excited to see the 1.67 second time though. Man, that was fast. Faster than eneloops with an external pack.

Correct, special charger, takes 4+ hours to charge 4 of them.

Just back from repair, and under a year old, so its covered, but thanks for the tip.

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …offer-lightning-fast.html

SYS wrote in post #11356233
http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …offer-lightning-fast.html

Bunch of crap, along with some good info/posts. Near the end someone had a similar experience to mine, and the same conclusion. Not worth the risk. I won't be putting them in the rest of my speedlites, and possibly not using them in any electronic device.


quote from post:

I agree, if the batteries were > 1.5v per AA, then the higher voltage will force a higher current through the flash, and chances are this will eventually destroy something down the road. I = V/R, and if V > 1.5, I is greater, correct?

Copying my post elsewhere some while back:

This Amazon.com user named NLee the Engineer does a lot of battery (and charger) reviews and often do comparative studies of them. Here's what he says about the NiZinc batteries:

"The greatest selling feature of NiZn cell is its higher terminal voltage. The nominal operating voltage of NiZn is 1.65V, which is very close to alkaline and 30% higher than NiMH (1.25V nominal). However, when freshly charged, the NiZn terminal voltage is around 1.85V, which is dangerously high for most battery-operated appliances. So if you like to try those cells in your digital camera, make sure that the latter is still covered by warranty.....

...In summary: While the higher voltage offered by PowerGenix NiZn cells sounds attractive, it could damage or shorten the life span of your battery-operated appliances. In addition, NiZn cell does not pack more energy than eneloop NiMH cell, yet it suffers from lower cycle life and higher self-discharge rate. So unless you are desperately looking for higher voltage rechargeable batteries, there are really no reasons to take your chances with those cells."

And here's his comparative review that you might be interested in reading: Showdown: PowerGenix NiZn vs. SANYO eneloop NiMH:

http://www.amazon.com …/member-...#RQFY1NUK4L58V
_______________

Your link is bad, it appears you copied the text of a link and not the link target itself.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #11358754
Your link is bad, it appears you copied the text of a link and not the link target itself.

Here's the good link:

http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1290979​606&sr=8-1

See the first review, by NLee the Engineer....

JC4 wrote in post #11352882
I ordered a few sets of PowerGenix NiZn (Zinc based) rechargeables to give them a go. Their claim is 1.6v (vs 1.2 for NiMh) and highdrain. I've been VERY happy with the performance of Eneloops. I get 300-700 pops out of a charge, they don't self drain, recycle doesn't slow down after a few pops like Alkalines, They recycle faster than Alkalines(a lot faster), they don't heat up like Lithiums.

Still, always looking for something better. A few devices can't live with 1.2 volts, like PocketWizzards TT5's.

No field testing with the NiZn's yet, but I just did a stopwatch test the blew me away.
580ex-II on manual / full power. I press the pilot button, start the watch, wait for the light to glow red stop the watch. Eneloops, 2.79 seconds, and holds pretty steady, even after a dozen pops in a row. The PowerGenix's, 1.64 seconds, and hold steady, even after a dozen pops in a row(no rest). The NiZn's came out a bit warmer, but not HOT like Lithium's.

WARNING I ran a dozen pops again, to confirm my results before posting. My 580 is DEAD. At first it would power on, but not charge. Now, after a cooldown, it won't even power on. Smells burnt too. So, I've killed it. The batteries are better, but, more than the flash can handle.

hahahahahahaha

lapiqurestudios wrote in post #11359743
hahahahahahaha

Thanks for posting. Next time you post about breaking your equipment, we'll all come in and laugh at you. Oh, and we won't offer any advice on fixing it, either. Sound fair?

John (JC4), there's been a few warnings against using these in flashes in the lighting forum. Thanks for trying to review these, but I wish you searched first. Some people have had success in using these in external battery packs, but don't put them in the body of your expensive flashes. Glad to see that you're still covered under warranty.