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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Looking for NiMH Rechargeable Recommendations
Robert Caplin, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 12:19 PM on 05.31.10 |
->> I'm looking for recommendations on the best rechargeable NiMH AA batteries. I have a bunch of 5-year-old rechargeable batteries that no longer hold a long charge and it's time to replace.
The use would be for flashes, lite-panels, remotes, magic mouse, etc. I'm looking for very long-lasting, durable batteries that charge in a hurry.
Has anyone had great success with a particular brand?
Also, if you have any recommendations on chargers, that'd be great too!
Thanks in advance,
Robert |
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Chris Large, Photographer
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 12:54 PM on 05.31.10 |
->> Was out in the garage putting AAs from my speedlight lighting kit into chargers as coincidence would have it.
In my limited experience I would highly recommend the La Crosse charger. I have two of them that get a lot of use.
http://www.lacrossetechnology.com/900/index.php |
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Michael Durisseau, Photographer, Assistant
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Santa Fe/Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 6:12 PM on 05.31.10 |
| ->> +1 on the La Crosse...and I like the Eneloop batteries from Sanyo very much... |
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David Royal, Photographer, Assistant
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Monterey Bay | CA | USA | Posted: 7:23 PM on 05.31.10 |
| ->> Take a look at Powerex Robert. They have served me well. |
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Tony Sirgedas, Photographer
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Pierce County | WA | USA | Posted: 8:00 PM on 05.31.10 |
| ->> +1 more for Powerex, both batteries and the conditioner/charging unit. |
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Doug Holleman, Photographer
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Temple | TX | USA | Posted: 10:21 PM on 05.31.10 |
| ->> I don't own a LaCrosse charger yet, but I see that there is a BC-9009 that is actually a bit cheaper than the BC-900 that Robert linked. I have read that this is the new replacement model. Can anyone confirm whether the 9009 is as good for the money? |
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Dave Einsel, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Robert Caplin, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 1:49 AM on 06.02.10 |
| ->> Thanks for your advice everyone. |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Indiana | IN | USA | Posted: 11:02 AM on 06.02.10 |
->> I also have a La Cross charger and I use Eneloop rechargeable AA batteries from recommendations made on this site. Simply the best rechargeable batteries I have ever owned.
They last a long time. My second and third sets hold a charge for an extended period of time. I've went more than a month to use the third set and they are nearly as strong as they were after charging them. You can buy the batteries at Thompson Distributors. Do a Google search for them.
The La Cross charger, I bought on ebay and saved quite a bit of money and there seems to be plenty available there. |
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Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 12:17 PM on 06.02.10 |
| ->> I don't mean to hijack this thread, but while we're on the subject; do these rechargeables last as long as the throw-aways? I am using up batteries like popcorn, but I've always heard the rechargeables are not as durable. Plus, if so, last thing I need is to be keeping track of yet another charger, etc. But then if I'm saving money... opinions? |
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Chris Large, Photographer
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Okotoks | AB | Canada | Posted: 12:09 AM on 06.03.10 |
->> Hey Phil
My rechargeable batteries (powerex) seem to like about 3 years of moderate/heavy use. Because there are so many options in recharging, conditioning etc they last a long time. The other big factor is that they recycle much faster than disposables. Even after factoring the cost = $100 for 8 plus a charger they are saving me alot money over duracells.
Chris |
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Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 12:54 AM on 06.03.10 |
->> Thanks Chris... How's the movie biz?
I've been doing a lot of research and the powerEx seems like a great product. I was buying the big super-packs at Sam's Club and they're gone in 60 days. Time to switch. |
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Chris Large, Photographer
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Okotoks | AB | Canada | Posted: 1:05 AM on 06.03.10 |
->> Phil
Movies are great, back to back, 3 now in a row since January. (And nothing with Kim if you remember our last conversation)
You won't go wrong with the powerex...abit of a pain programing how you want to charge/condition/recondition them but once you get the hang of it then it works like a charm. Love the batteries and again, the recycle time is so much better than disposables
Chris |
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Chuck Steenburgh, Photographer
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Lexington | VA | USA | Posted: 3:55 AM on 06.03.10 |
->> Use alkaline disposables for low-drain devices like PocketWizards and meters. They will last much, much longer. They're all pretty much the same, really.
Use NiMH for high-drain devices like flash and cameras. They will last longer and give you quicker recycle times. PowerEx and Energizer are the only batteries worth their salt. I've tried many other brands, even Duracells suck. I have PoewerEx and LaCrosse chargers, I prefer the PowerEx MH-C9000 conditioning charger. If these batteries are left to just sit, though, they lose their charge over time - about 3-5% per day. A couple of weeks sitting in your bag and they need a recharge.
Newer NiMH batteries include the Sanyo eneloops and a variety of "pre-charged" batteries from various manufacturers. These are NiMH batteries that don't lose their charge as quickly over time. Sanyo,and Duracell make batteries of this type that I have used and recommend. Sadly, PowerEx's version of these ("Immedion") I'm not crazy about; their own chargers won't even recognize them. The downside with these is they have slightly less capacity than traditional NiMH. Good for having a set or two as an "always ready" backup. |
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Chuck Steenburgh, Photographer
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Lexington | VA | USA | Posted: 3:56 AM on 06.03.10 |
->> Strange, my last paragraph kept getting clipped...so here it is. :)
Finally, there's a new chemistry out there that looks promising for flash use - NiZn. PowerGenix is the only brand on the market right now. Requires a separate charger, but offers amazing recycle time (less than 2 seconds in an SB-600). They don't have quite as much life as NiMH but still pretty good. |
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Brad Barr, Photographer
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Port St. Lucie | FL | USA | Posted: 9:23 AM on 06.03.10 |
->> 3 options at Chuck mentioned.
nimh like the powerex's provide the most flashes per charge
imedion/eneloops provide less flashes, but they hold their charge on the shelf, and are great for using in PW's and such.
nizn's also hold their charge, and have the fastest recycle times by quite a margin. They just dont give you as many flashes per charge as the NiMh's do.
So pick your poison based on how you shoot. I use em all, and rarely if ever exhaust a set of powerex's during a full wedding. Imedions in my cybercyns...powergenix in the on camera flash....horses for courses. |
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Wally Raynes, Photographer
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Kaiserslautern | ge | Germany | Posted: 1:50 PM on 06.04.10 |
->> I use a lot of Eneloops, Ansmanns and powerex all with good results, but my challenge is managing the charging process.
With four external packs each containing eight batteries, plus batteries in four flash heads, PM's, extras, etc., its a real pain charging 70+ batteries.
Is there a charging unit that an external pack can be plugged in without unloading the double AA's. Would love to hear how do you all manage charging a bag full of batteries? |
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Brad Barr, Photographer
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Port St. Lucie | FL | USA | Posted: 2:40 PM on 06.04.10 |
| ->> 70+ batteries???? good grief. Time to dump the external packs...unless you are shooting at iso 200 and f11 form most applications battery pks are fast becoming dinosaurs....just like flash brackets. |
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Jeff Loy, Photographer
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Hurst | TX | USA | Posted: 12:28 PM on 09.22.10 |
->> Does anyone have an opinion on the Calumet rechargeable AA's?
Thanks. |
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Alan Look, Photographer
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Bloomington/Normal | IL | United States | Posted: 12:58 PM on 09.22.10 |
->> Flash brackets are becoming extinct? I'm glad I read this thread, I was just thinking of replacing one of mine. Guess I'll save my self the money.
What's replacing them? I've not found a better way to keep from getting redeye. |
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