Best AA rechargeables ?

[kawasakiguy37]

Im looking to pick up some QUALITY AA rechargeable batteries. Also looking for a quality charger. I need something decent to power my speedlight, but I dont want to go Nizn or with anything that will overvolt it too much. I just got some LiFePO4 cells from AW (small manufacturer) that are working great in my triggers, but these are CR123 size. Any recommendations?

Main Requirements:
Relatively affordable
RELIABLE (I dont want cells dieing on me!)
Relatively low self discharge (So normal NIMH is probably out, maybe LSD ones?)

 

[Shawn Rahman]

The Sanyo Eneloop batteries are the best I've ever used:

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Eneloop...ef=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1306961041&sr=8-3-spell

They are relatively affordable.
They hold their charges when not in use better than any other rechargeables I've ever used.

Read some of the user reviews on Amazon for more testimonials. Good luck!

 

[heespharm]

Sanyo eneloops a little pricey but very worth the price ... I had 8 sets for when I did weddings... Never failed me

 

[BetterSense]

Eneloops are the best, but the Duracell Pre Charged which have the white tops are rebranded Eneloops. The ones that have black tops are rebranded Rayovacs and not as good.

 

[kawasakiguy37]

How do the eneloops compare to the Maha Imedions? Those seem to get good reviews as well.

Are there no LiFePO4 alternatives?

 

[L Gebhardt]

Eneloops as mentioned, and the Maha PowerEx charger are the best I have found. http://www.amazon.com/Maha-MH-C801D...S648/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306962064&sr=8-1 The charger is a bit pricey, but it has a conditioning mode which has brought some lesser batteries back from the dead. Plus each is charged individually, so no worries about charging odd numbers or mismatched batteries.

 

[kawasakiguy37]

Any other recommendations on chargers? I definitely want a good one. The Maha looks quite nice.

Also been hearing some great things about GP ReCyko+ batteries. I know GP is China but its considered top quality and the guys on the candlepower forums are all over these.

Any body used the GP LSD NIMH cells?

 

[SWphoto]

Used many brands of cells over the years, Eneloops best by far. Unlike the others, they're ready to go when you are. Maha charger also the way to go- nice to be able to charge 8 at a time.

 

[Mike Wilde]

Bite the bullet, get the right insert and buy a Quantum battery. Or just a quantum battery and and Lead acid old school battery.

These things last for years, if not abused and left undercharged.

 

[debanddg]

My Olympus Camedia charger with 2100 mAH NiMH rechargeable batteries served me for 10 good years before starting to showing signs of retirement.. worth every penny

 

[Ottrdaemmerung]

Another vote for Eneloops! It's so great to be able to just go with them without having to worry about whether they still carry a charge from the last time you used them.

 

[kawasakiguy37]

Going to try eneloops and the GP Recykos. Both get great reviews. Maha 801S charger seems like the way to go

 

[ozphoto]

I vote for the Eneloops too. Charge quick and hold their charge really well even when not being used.
I use 8 as well - 4 in the flash unit and 4 charged up ready to go.

 

[Aristophanes]

Eneloops and Imedion's from Thomas Distributing with a Mahayana charger. Never an issue.

 

[hoffy]

I think we pretty much have a consensus! Eneloops for me as well. The only rechargeables I'll buy