A630 + Sanyo Eneloop NMH battery test

Hello All

Last week I purchased 2 sets of Eneloop (8 packs AAA). They were dated June/2006 (a year old !!). I used 4 of them in my A630 to see how long they would last (keeps 85% of charge for a year on package). I got 385 shots and 2X 4 min. avi's. Package is marked "Charged and ready to use"

I reviewed at least 200 shots also before batteries died (less than 5% charge). I have LCD ON at all times(set for 2 sec review time).

Also I have used camera to dl all 385 images using USB and same(above) set of 4 batteries.

They really do hold their charge a long time. I'm keeping the other 4 from 8 pack, as an experiment to see how long they will last(factory charge). I'll check them every month.

The second set of 8 AAA's, (same date...June 2006), I removed 4 and put them in my Sony 15 min. safe** charger and it took only 2 minutes until shut off charging (only fan running to cool them down).

safe** each of 4 batteries can be charged seperately by voltage,not timed, if one fails (charger checks each one before charging) then only good ones get charging current. Fan cools batteries after charging !!!

My 2500ma Energizers and Sony 2500ma (came with charger) have never given me more than 320 shots for any given set and take a full 14 minutes to re-charge. I will keep track of how many shots I get from a fully charged "dead" set of eneloops (first time).....I'm thinking around 425-450 ???

BTW: since these eneloops really do hold their charge, I'm using them for all my LED flashlights and clocks/radios at the cottage, and for closet pull-string lights.

BTW2: the instruction sheets that came with the eneloops, said they have slightly more voltage and I measured them at 1.27V (under load 12 led high brightness flashlight).

They are marked "2000ma...1900 minimum" BUT give better (more shots), than those rated at 2500ma. I just finished re-charging my first set of eneloops (385 shots), and it took only 11 1/2 minutes.
hope something here helps a bit regarding batteries.....and have a nice day !!!!

regards Terry

Terry - I have been using the Eneloops for a couple of months (including a Nikon strobe) in my S3IS and to date have had very good luck - I highly recommend them.
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Photography - One of the few things you can still do legally - sort of.

Hi

me too !!!!! I've replaced all my other sets of AA's and going to get a bunch of small AAA's for all my tv,dvd, remotes.

this topping-up of regular NMH's every couple of weeks, is now a thing of the past. I always hated that part.

Terry

I meant to say AA's in original post........they fit much better in my A630/A700

AAA= little guys

Terry

Slarty42 said:

They are marked "2000ma...1900 minimum" BUT give better (more
shots), than those rated at 2500ma. I just finished re-charging my
first set of eneloops (385 shots), and it took only 11 1/2 minutes.

Click to expand...

I have had very similar experiences with Rayovac Hybrids. They are rated 2100mah and I have used one single set of 4 in my A620 since February, finally needing a charge when we took a trip first week of June. Simply amazing. FAR more life than I had with "standard" 2500 mah NIMh batteries.

I did find that the new hybrids need a little conditioning like standard NIMH batteries, though. Even though they come fully charged in the package, the longest life comes after 1 or 2 discharge-charge cycles. I have the Maha C-9000 charger which gives a mah readout for each battery. On the very first charge (5 months later!!) it said they were fully charged at 1800 mah or so. I just set it for a single discharge/charge cycle and the second time it went to 2100+.

My experience with the Rayovac Hybrids is the same as yours. I won't be using anything else in the near future and I've tossed most of my old NiMH's.

BubbaBob said:

My experience with the Rayovac Hybrids is the same as yours. I
won't be using anything else in the near future and I've tossed
most of my old NiMH's.

Click to expand...

I am confused,is Hybirds same as eneloop or NiMh. Which one should i look for when i go to the store?

Sanyo makes "Eneloop" (trademark)
Rayovac "Hybrid" is what they call their brand

Both are NMH type of battery....they have special chemical formulations, that allow them to hold their charge much much longer than the standard formulations of NMH. They don't need "topping up" every couple weeks, like the older standard ones.....they come charged and ready for use.

Why don't you Google Sanyo and Rayovac, and visit their sites ??
Then you can read all about them !!!!!!!

BTW: they are available in Canada at THE SOURSE (Radio Shack) in both AA's and AAA's sizes (2,4 or 8 packs)

Terry

Unfortunately, the only place I've found the Rayovac Hybrids is at the evil, life-sucking Walmart store.

I haven't been in that evil store in over a year. The Sourse (formally Radio Shack in Canada), had Sanyo Eneloops on sale last week as a "clearance item", because according to the manager "people don't know what they really are yet"., and think you have to ONLY charge them in Sanyo chargers.

Good.....so I bought 2 8 packs (1/2 price)and going to get 4 more for friends and family. I'll send my friend into that evil life sucking store to see if we have Rayovac's in Canada
BTW: I paid $29 CDN for 8-pack AA's

Terry

Panasonic's version (called R2) can be bought at Future Shop. Saw them there today.

BTW, I have the Eneloops, and they are superb!

I'll check there too.

I wonder if Sanyo makes these batteries for other brands (just relabeled), because it seems strange that all of a sudden everybody "invented" these NMH batteries that hold their charge so long approx. at the same time.

It would be interesting to see a comparison of the Rayovac/Sanyo/Panasonic brands for no of shots vrs. capacities. I have 4 from my 1 set of 8pack that I'm NOT touching to see how long they last before they die.(original factory charge).

Terry

great deal on the eneloops. I've been using them for at least 6 months with great results from my S2 and A520. They have been on clearance for a while now, I bought mine at the Source back whenl for $29.99 for an 8 pack as well.

BTW: what's wrong with Walmart? I was just there yesterday

Slarty42 said:

I haven't been in that evil store in over a year. The Sourse
(formally Radio Shack in Canada), had Sanyo Eneloops on sale last
week as a "clearance item", because according to the manager
"people don't know what they really are yet"., and think you have
to ONLY charge them in Sanyo chargers.

Good.....so I bought 2 8 packs (1/2 price)and going to get 4 more
for friends and family. I'll send my friend into that evil life
sucking store to see if we have Rayovac's in Canada
BTW: I paid $29 CDN for 8-pack AA's

Terry

Click to expand...

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Min

BubbaBob said:

Unfortunately, the only place I've found the Rayovac Hybrids is at
the evil, life-sucking Walmart store.

Click to expand...

Target has Rayovac Hybrid for $9.99

You get:

• Two AA
• Two AAA
• Charger

Cost: $10 - $5 Rebate = Total cost $5

Rebate good for Two per Household
Rebate instruction is on the package

Expires 12/31/08

I think it best that if you want detailed information regarding Walmart,you should ask our friends to the south in the USA. They are far more experienced with dealing with this retail store than I.

All I can say is everytime a new Walmart store opens here in Canada, the local population is up in arms and fight(city hall) their "opening" tooth and nail. (eg. Guelph).

Terry

Hi BubbaBob

thanks for the info. I paid $29.99 +tax CDN. for 8 AA's (in bubble pack) for my Sanyo eneloops. (I think today $1.00 USA= 92 cents CDN.).

They come in 2 or 4 or 8 in a package (AA or AAA),and charger is $25 CDN.

The normal price is approx. $7.50 each for AA or AAA if you could buy them seperatley. I got mine at 1/2 price, but sale is over now !!!!

Terry

sorry....replied to wrong person.(have 2 open browsers at the moment).

thanks for your info as well

Terry

I went to Source to get sanyo eneloop battery and it is too bad the sales is over so i decide to wait. Anybody know if there is a sale somewhere in Canada.Please let me know

Slarty42 said:

I think it best that if you want detailed information regarding
Walmart,you should ask our friends to the south in the USA. They
are far more experienced with dealing with this retail store than I.

All I can say is everytime a new Walmart store opens here in
Canada, the local population is up in arms and fight(city hall)
their "opening" tooth and nail. (eg. Guelph).

Terry

Click to expand...

I'm one of the people in the USA and every year about $15-25 million is spent on anti-walmart campaighns and luckily Walmart's stock is going down, Score one for the smart people who hate walmart!!

If you want to learn why walmart sucks you can go to
http://walmartwatch.com/
and
http://wakeupwalmart.com/

Oh, were we talking about batterys? JK

I just bought 8 Energizer batterys ($23 US) and then I learned that Energizer's new batterys suck and that I should have bought Eneloops. There goes $23 down the drain