To aid the newcomers and to ease the burden to go through searching whats the safe pick in the most obscure, often misleading and disinformative specifications from many resellers about batteries and chargers.
We should make a nice easily browsable (admin - HELP!) data from blf members great knowledgebase experience regarding what they think is best.
Unsure how to start this came up...
My experience:
Good li-ion chargers:
XTAR MP1, WP2 possbily WP6 - Does provide (with minimal testing the CC/CV charging standard for li-ion batteries)
More info - http://www.miracle-store.de/index.php?cat=c58_Chargers-Chargers.html
Good Li-ion batteries (18650-18670 i don't own other sizes)
hi-max (formerly known as WOW) 2600mAh protected 18650 - close to the specs protection works - Bought on ebay
XTAR 18700 2200mAh protected - close to the specs protection works
XTAR 18700 2400mAh protected - close to the specs protection works
Good NiMh Charger:
IPC 1L - http://www.ciao.de/Voltcraft_IPC_1L_Ladegerat__2532339 - Intelligent, with refresh function 4 individual channels and test capability. A bit expensive. Commonly sold in conrad stores through europe. Also known as LaCrosse IBC 900.
Good NiMh batteries:
AA Sanyo 2700mAh - Very high capacity, high discharge rate, high self discharge (thats a con)
AA Sanyo eneloop 2000mAh - High capacity, high discharge rate, low self discharge - LSD (the biggest plus)