I was looking around for some cells last night and came across these......they seem to have good reviews, would like the input of others before i decide on getting some.
The reviews sound artificially positive, but the cells are pretty affordable and it looks like shipping is $4.99 in the US, so if you buy 8 or more it could definitely work out. Based on one review that said he measured 1400mAh out of the package, they are probably similar to the Rayovac 4.0 cells that do pretty well in discharge tests, but don't hold their charge as well as an Eneloops. But unless you really need that long term (a year plus) storage capacity, these should be good.
I've been getting pretty decent deals on Duraloops lately (with coupons, rebates, and some footwork), so, other than 8 Rayovac 4.0's from Fry's, I've been sticking with Eneloops and Duraloops. For instance Rite Aid has 4-packs of Duracell precharged batteries for $11.99 on sale, but they have a rebate for $3, and I had a coupon for $2 off. So that was $6.99. Some of the stores have white-topped cells, but the one I went to for that only had one pack. I should be able to pick up another 4-pack at another location and get a $5 rebate for spending over $25 on Proctor and Gamble products. So 8 batteries for $14.
Not bad at all......on your Duraloops are they white top or the made in China Blacktops. I have lots of eneloops and duraloops as well and i even find that the Titanium lsd's perform as they should, but those are mostly for my lights and some electronics. I was going to try out a set for my RC radio. Wish we had a Fry's down here in Va Beach.
There are now many brands of LSD cell of greater or lesser quality but since they are pretty sophisticated devices, does anyone know how many places make the things?
Or is it more a matter of who assembles them?
Now that is a good question.....if i remember correctly, reading a thread on the other side that there are two plants that make them.
I just put in my order for a couple of these to try out.......Im going by the reviews by the members there so im really hoping there is another alternative.
I'd be interested to see what the charger reports for their break-in period. Hopefully capacity will go up and they'll hold their charge well. My Vapex branded ones are not nearly as low self-discharge as the Eneloops. My picky digital camera works approximately for ever on the Eneloops, but the Vapex ones report low battery too quickly for my liking - but still way better than the normal NiMH cells.
Yes im hoping as well.......going to do a couple of cycles on them first and a discharge, rest, and then a breakin.....and once that is done an RA for the capacity readings on the cells. They sent me a coupon for 3 bones so that basically paid for shipping.
Can't be bad. Always nice to get stuff back.
If they do well then i plan to get more and put them in my rc radio.
Well the cells have finally been shipped.....wonder what took them so long.
Because they knew you already had 2300 other batteries so you were not a priority. :p
Hey thats not fair at all man......i just cant help it...i have a problem.
Two? I think there are at least 3 as the Enerloop/Duraloop are made in Japan, the Imedion are made in Taiwan and the Rayovac etc are made in China (i.e. PRC).
Imedions are the only LSD I own :-P
Recykos are made in China, too.
The black top Duraloops are now made in China and i hear that the performance of the cells are not all that bad. I have Eneloops, Titaniums, Duraloops, and soon these if they do well of course.
I think I've heard it claimed before that the blacktop Duracell and Rayovac hybrid come from the same factory probably Yuasa-Delta (who developed their LSD tech with Panasonic)?
Looking into it more, it does appear the GP ReCyko cells are probably from a different factory. They are usuall fatter for example. Kodak LSDs appear to be GP ReCyko cells.
So it would seem we have 4 manufacturers now.
I finally got to see some of the new Rayovac Platinums......the only thing that i worry is that theres no stated capacity of the cells on the packaging.
The AA Rayovac Platinums are rated at 2100 mah and the AAA's are 800. I've had my AA's for a couple months now and so far they work just fine. The AAA's I got 2 days ago and are still in their initial break-in period but should be done this afternoon.
What i like about the batts is the price, not as expensive as the other cells they carry at wallyworld.