eneloop 5th generation...codes and confusion.. what to do?

Batteries and Chargers Rechargeable Batteries
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Edit 2017 April:

I came to the conclusion to NOT call them 5th generation AA standard, but 4th gen updated. See http://eneloop101.com/batteries/how-to-distinguish-the-different-generations/ for the explanation why!

Also the PRO are currently at the 5th gen, when just looking at the Coding. Not the specs.

Unfortunately Panasonic has been a little inconsistent/confusing with their coding.

Almost to the point I am reluctant to appoint certain eneloop "generations" to certain codes.

2 examples:

BK-3MCC was originally the code for the 4th generation eneloops produced in Japan in 2013. But the Chinese made eneloops also use this BK-3MCC code

Before that, there was the eneloop XX, coded HR-3UWX. Suddenly the HR-3UWXA showed up in certain areas, but never in Japan, and still had the exact same specs. So they were still 1st gen, but for the sake of clarity I called them 2nd gen in my overviews.
My feeling was that only cells produced and available in Japan would qualify for a "new generation"

1. now that eneloop America and Europe started to show 10years shelf life on the standard white eneloops, instead of 5 year shelf life, but still with the same coding, I`m not sure whether I should call them 5th generation?
(Panasonic Japan only updated the rated capacity a few weeks ago, for 1 year to 90%, and doesnt even mention anything about a 10-year shelf life)

2.Why I almost would like them to be called 5th gen, is that the PRO version now (in Europe)(not in Japan) have actually different specs, the AA version is now min. 2500mAh (formerly 2450) and the AAA version is now min. 930mAh (formerly 900) So they could be called the 5th generation....
They are now called BK-3HCDE for the AA batteries and BK-4HCDE for AAA.

Would it be wise to start calling these PRO 5th generation?

And should I call the 10-year shelf life "standard eneloops" also 5th generation?

I ask these question because I need to update the Eneloop 2005-2015 thread.

See my sig.

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mind is boggling

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If there is no ‘official’ or standard-use nomenclature then do as you will. Your suggestions can be followed without a script, even by someone easily confused like me!

Phil

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Any other suggestions/ideas?

Just the fact the coding hasn'tchanged for the standard whites, I'm hesitant to call them 5th gen, but definitely the Pros could be called a.5th gen with the changed coding and capacity.......

??????

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New features = new gen. But had been nice that Eneloops confirmed the new changes.

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Yes, and my idea was that the coding should be different to call it a new gen. But now the coding stays the same for standard eneloops...

So I might just go ahead and call them all 5th gen.

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If you are confused what hope do the rest of us have?

Is is possible that Panasonic are deliberately choosing/manipulating codes to obscure the situation regarding China-made vs Japan-made because of threads like we've seen here disparaging the newer models?

The harder they can make it for anyone to follow, the more likely a consumer will give up trying to work out which ones are the lower quality type. Perhaps this will make it easier for them to shift the China-made cells that a lot of us want to avoid.

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+1

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How about 4+ or 4R1 (rev. 1)?

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If the codes are inconsistent, I would go with the manufacturer specs, date codes, and country source to determine generations.

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That's an option, and I would only include Japan made eneloops.

But using date codes won't work because they produce 2 generations at the same time. Maybe even 3. Different ones for different regions.

Probably the word generation could be replaced by a different word!?

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You could call them XYX Jap and XYZ China where XYZ is the code. Or “5th gen China” and “5th gen Japan” for clarity.

It is confusing. I’ve seen Duracell Duralock made in Japan (good) and made in China (not so good) with the same design of packaging. Different capacities though. We can get Fujitsu cells so maybe that is the safest bet.