Funny, that for a topic.
It was exactly what I was wondering shortly before xmas.
After a bit of research, I opted on the Cosco Enloops. I got 3 sets for gifts.
Just based on the price alone, quite a KILLER deal, beings how a 4pack of just about any brand is over $20-25.
The "Blue Toolbox" style pack has a 4 place charger, 8AA, plus all the other sizes (2-c, 2-d, & 4AAA). Killer-Killer deal.
Then, consider the fact that they are they are they the "only precharged" batteries, and the shelf life is years, instead of weeks.
Hey Sjms,
Cool, Whats that called steup called?
I'd be interested in checking that out.
Bob
the battery and cable setup is called of all thins the digital camera battery. i have been using it about 5 years now
the cable is a HV input it puts 310 vdc direct to the caps and after the proper custom function is set allows the AA batts to just power the computing and display functions of the flash. remove the cable and the AAs power the whole flash as normal leaving the CF as is
www.digitalcamerabattery.com
Thank you, Sjms. I appricate, that, and your post.
Why not purchase a Quantum Battery 1 or 1+ for $60-$80 on EBay and it will run you another $50 for the adapter for your flash. This will give you rapid recycle along with 400+ full power shots and fully rechargeable. Also, you can run two flashes simultaneously off the pack.
well the DCB is the one for serious work and is a reasonably sized setup for a heavy flash use day. but for casual use the eneloops are still the best because they are always ready for the most part.
I've been quite satisfied with the Duracell 2650 MaH rechargeable batt's. I recharge them in an eight cell, slow charging Energizer charger. My Eneloops seem to be doing fine too. Don't use the "superfast" chargers. They'll drastically reduce the life of your batt's.
For a while I was using Power2000 2700mah batteries from B&H - they had 10 packs....no longer carry the same ones IIRC. I also used some 2300? or 2500mah Sony ones from newegg. I hated AA's, but they were an evil I had to deal with if I wanted to use my flashes.
I got a black box and a tuxedo from http://www.aljacobs.com/THE%20BLACK%20BOX.htm and I have never looked back. I am extremely happy with the packs. They are very inexpensive compared to other battery packs, yes, you have to buy a cable to make em work, but I think we're talking under $250 shipped for 2 battery packs and a cable. Most importantly, for me, I don't need to stop in the middle of an event to replace batteries in my flash, nor do I need to worry about how many days it's been for a set of batteries since they were last charged. The Tux weighs about the same - maybe even less than - the bunch of AAs and canon AA external pack I usedto carry anyway.
I can promise that if at all avoidable, I will not use AA's again for my camera gear. The black box has made my life a lot easier, and not needing to manage 24 batteries (8 in the CP-E3 and 4 in the flash, plus a set of backups for both, not even talking about a 2nd flash) is wonderful. Plus, I've got 2 or 3 dozen AA's for devices that need AA batteries and don't drain as quickly...
Patrick, I just bought the La Crosse Tech. BC-900 charger @ Amazon for my eneloop's. Check out the review section on it, they explain it better then I could ever do.
I second that. As long as you don't need the geek features of the 9000, the 808 or similar are perfect. They're heavy-duty, fast (but not too fast), reliable beasts.
actually i also have the geek featured 9000. it has revived a few sets of batts for additional service. and i do use it to do the initial setup to. you know how it is.
i bought the La Crosse Tech BC-900 at amazon, $39.5 with free 2 day shipping (prime), i chose it over the maha c9000 because of the size (half of the C9000) and also half of the price
I had them, they proved to be unreliable. My kids now use them in their playstation controllers and Yes even they complain about rechargeables, Now I use Lithiums, very long lasting.
Dave
if you had issues with NiMh batts you didn't buy the right ones for the job understanding the differences in them can get you a long way. i use eneloops in my daughters wii remotes and they generally last for multiple day gamefests with her.
david debalko wrote:
I had them, they proved to be unreliable. My kids now use them in their playstation controllers and Yes even they complain about rechargeables, Now I use Lithiums, very long lasting.Dave
That's a content-free post, that's for sure.
If you buy the right battery for the job, rechargeables are brilliant. I'm about to buy some more Imedions and an MH-9000 charger to go with my MH-C801D charger. I've got a mix of the Powerex and Imedions. Very happy.
david debalko wrote:
I had them, they proved to be unreliable. My kids now use them in their playstation controllers and Yes even they complain about rechargeables, Now I use Lithiums, very long lasting.
Dave
I used to use the lithiums exclusively, and really liked them. I just don't like the fact that you get little or no warning, when they are about to die. I still carry a few sets as back-up. They do last a long time, and are great for cold weather shooting.
kaka, for almost everything i can