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Inexpensive Reliable AA Charger
Levitron
11-09-2010, 01:29 PM
What's something you recommend?
Senna4ever
11-09-2010, 02:55 PM
I have an Energizer brand one that was about $20 including 4 AA batteries, and it works fine.
got a duracell one. charger + 4 AA rechargeables. works great for charging my mouse and keyboard batteries... just changed it right now.
stevo911_
11-09-2010, 03:28 PM
I concur with Senna4ever.
I have the 2500mAh NiMH Energizer Rechargeables.
I've been using the same batteries in my Xbox 360 & Wii controllers since the 360 came out (and before that they were what I used in my old digi cam for a couple years), and the ones in my wireless mouse and keyboard I've been using since 2005. Never had one leak, still all hold a solid charge (unlike the old crappy NiCad ones I used to use)
m3thods
11-09-2010, 03:49 PM
I have the Energizers and they are going strong.
I was lucky to get Eneloops (charger 4AA 4AAA car kit) for $20 during the Dell deal days. They do hold charge in my 580ex better compared to my energizers, but not by much (~20 shots)
ilvtofu
11-09-2010, 04:03 PM
I am using eneloops from costco on my 580ex too!
Conan O'Brien Sex Video
11-09-2010, 04:20 PM
eneloops also!
!MiKrofT
11-09-2010, 04:32 PM
Eneloops and Duraloops ftw.
The only good charger I keep hearing about are the Maha ones. However they're not cheap.
i've tried energizer, duracell, panasonic and sanyo.
i'd have to go with energizer and duracell tho.
m3thods
11-09-2010, 07:27 PM
i think i read on engadget or gizmodo that certain energizer or duracell models were eneloops in disguise. you probably can't go wrong with any of the big brands.
the 'duraloops' are white top rechargeable duracells.
i don't use my rechargeables (and subsequently the charger) enough to tell, but i just use the one that came with my eneloops. apparently there's a 1-hour quick charge one, and one that charges longer and supposed to be better on your batteries.
ppl love the ones offered here (http://www.thomasdistributing.com/) though. have a look.
Eneloops and Duraloops ftw.
The only good charger I keep hearing about are the Maha ones. However they're not cheap.
Yeah, I bought my Lacrosse BC900 (which I believe the same as the Maha one you're referring to) for about $40 from Amazon. It's a bit better than a regular charger because you can charge batteries individually and it gives an indicator on each battery's condition. It also has adjustable charge rates so you can slow charge or quick charge as well as a "battery refresh" cycle which discharges and recharges your battery 20 times to try to bring old batteries back to life. It's also dual voltage if you want to take it overseas. (surprisingly, none of my other cheapie chargers were dual voltage)
Apparently, there's lesser models (BC700) out there but I'm not sure what the difference is.
I also use Eneloops exclusively since most of my battery use is on devices that are low drain but require a longer shelf life. (i.e. cordless keyboard/mouse, remote controls, etc) I also have a couple of sets of Eneloops/Duraloops for my flash as well and it seems to work well. I'm sure you can however get a bit more juice from the regular NiMH batteries as well since they have a higher capacity (usually more than the 2000mAh you get from the Eneloops) but you'll just have to remember to recharge them the night before you use them.
!MiKrofT
11-09-2010, 11:21 PM
I've got both the 1 hour quick and slow eneloop charger. I use depending on when I need batteries. But since I stocked up at SDM sale I don't use the fast charger anymore.
Senna4ever
11-09-2010, 11:45 PM
Yeah, I bought my Lacrosse BC900 (which I believe the same as the Maha one you're referring to) for about $40 from Amazon. It's a bit better than a regular charger because you can charge batteries individually and it gives an indicator on each battery's condition. It also has adjustable charge rates so you can slow charge or quick charge as well as a "battery refresh" cycle which discharges and recharges your battery 20 times to try to bring old batteries back to life. It's also dual voltage if you want to take it overseas. (surprisingly, none of my other cheapie chargers were dual voltage)
Apparently, there's lesser models (BC700) out there but I'm not sure what the difference is.
I also use Eneloops exclusively since most of my battery use is on devices that are low drain but require a longer shelf life. (i.e. cordless keyboard/mouse, remote controls, etc) I also have a couple of sets of Eneloops/Duraloops for my flash as well and it seems to work well. I'm sure you can however get a bit more juice from the regular NiMH batteries as well since they have a higher capacity (usually more than the 2000mAh you get from the Eneloops) but you'll just have to remember to recharge them the night before you use them.
LoL! I was just about to write a similar thing...except the chargers I would recommend are the Ansmann ones.
Mananetwork
11-10-2010, 01:20 AM
I use the Energizer 15min charger. So far so good, 2500mAh batteries are going strong
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1159858
N.V.M.
11-10-2010, 10:46 AM
I use the Energizer 15min charger. So far so good, 2500mAh batteries are going strong
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1159858
been using that for 3 years now for my golf GPS. only 1 downside, it's a bit loud, but at least i know when the batteries are charged, it gets real quiet.
Speed2K
11-12-2010, 11:43 PM
Charger I use the Eneloop charger. Batteries right now I am using the Duracell Pre-charged and they have been great! The older non-precharged Sanyo's suck.
Levitron
11-13-2010, 01:42 AM
Thanks for the recommendations. My old charger seems to have a lot of difficulty in charging up my Eneloops so I decided to change.
Ended up picking up an Energizer Smart Charger for $27 at Zellers (had HBC gift card)...just saw it going for $49 at FS LOL :)
http://www.energizer.ca/product-images/chargers/charger-smart.png
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/energizer-energizer-aa-aaa-nimh-smart-battery-charger-chp4wb4-chp4wb4/10154716.aspx?path=070d6fcc87dbdf184c5f09e2d52c0eb den02
Speed2K
11-13-2010, 11:06 AM
^It seems the only additional thing that charger has over other ones are the fuel guage/count down timer. FWIW, I think Costco sells the Duracell charger with about 8-10 batteries for close to that price.
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