First off, thank you everyone for providing great detailed information on Eneloop batteries, batteries in general, and of course flash lights, on this forum. I've been lurking here and I figured, it's time for me to return the favor. :)
It seems any information on the Eneloopy "dog battery tester" has been spotty at best, and my impression of all the posts I've come across this seems to be under the assumption that all of the Eneloopy testers light up in 3 different colors.
This is not true!
There are two different versions of Eneloopys in existence. One is a basic tester, which only lights up the nose with a blue LED. The other, more commonly known is a true battery tester, which lights up the nose in green, orange, and red.
Due to the fact that a certain seller on Ebay and Amazon is currently (as of time of this post) selling the basic tester while passing it on as a full battery tester, this post was created.
Brief history (based on my understanding, please correct me if I'm wrong):
- In December 2006, as part of the 1st year anniversary of Eneloop cells, Sanyo announced the Eneloopy mascot and basic battery tester as part of a sales promotion campaign. Initially in Japan, 5000 of these were sent out to people who responded to this campaign in early 2007. Details here on this Japanese blog. Later in mid 2007, a sales promotion campaign was also run in the US via a mail in form.
- The "basic" battery testers continued to be gave away as promotional items at trade shows, stores, and other sales campaign in Japan after this time.
- In November 2009, due to positive response and popular demand for the Eneloopy, Sanyo introduced the retail version of Eneloopy as part of their commemoration of 100 million Eneloop cells produced. This retail version differs from the promotional version in that it is a "full featured" battery tester that lights up the nose in different colors to depict the state of charge of the cell tested. This was available in Japan and Asia only until discontinued in April 2013 during the Panasonic rebranding. With the exception of China, the only way to get this better retail Eneloopy is to buy a bundle package and was available in Asia only.
Eneloopy 1st Japan retail version package on the left (bundled with 2nd generation HR-3UTGA cells), and promotional Eneloopy on the right:
Note the production date on the HR-3UTGA-2LP package is September 2009, which makes this one of the very first ones sold in stores upon its release in December 2009!
The following retail bundles that included the Eneloopy are known to exist (this should not be an exhaustive list. Please contribute information on any other sets found, thank you.):
- HR-3UTGA-2LP - NC-ELP1 Eneloopy + 2x HR-3UTGA cells (Japan) - JAN code 4973934 471078
- N-TGR02ALPS - NC-ELP1 Eneloopy + 2x HR-3UTGA cells + NC-TGR02 charger (Japan) - JAN code 4973934 471061
- N-TGN01AST-A - NC-ELP1 Eneloopy + 4x HR-3UTGA cells + 2x HR-4UTGA cells + 2x NCS-TG1 "D" spacer + 2x NCS-TG2 "C" spacer + NC-TGN01 charger + white carrying case (Japan) - JAN code 4973934 486508
- N-TGN01-9ASET-BC - NC-ELP1 Eneloopy + 9x HR-3UTGA cells + 2x NCS-TG1 "D" spacer + 2x NCS-TG2 "C" spacer + NC-TGN01 charger + white carrying case (Japan, Bic Camera version) - JAN code 4973934 476943
- HR-3UTGB-2L - NC-ELP1 Eneloopy + 2x HR-3UTGB cells (Japan) - JAN code 4973934 487130
- N-TGR02BLPS - NC-ELP1 Eneloopy + 2x HR-3UTGB cells + NC-TGR02 charger (Japan) - JAN code 4973934 487123
- NC-ELP1-CN - NC-ELP1 Eneloopy (China)
- HR-3UTG-2BP - NC-ELP1 Eneloopy + 2x HR-3UTG cells (Southeast Asia) - EAN code 4994334 273543
HR-3UTGA-2LP vs HR-3UTGB-2L sets
Now, to show the differences between the promotional version and the retail version of the Eneloopy. As explained earlier, only the retail version has a 3 color LED based on the cell's state of charge.
The retail version is serialized and has a 2009 copyright stamp. Although not stamped, it is also made in Japan.
The promotional version is not serialized and has a 2007 copyright stamp. Although not stamped, it is made in China based on a page I came across (forgot which one).
The most noticeable difference in the retail version is the blue scarf. The promotional version never came with a blue scarf. The screw holes are also capped off. Also, without putting both versions side by side, you won't know that blue shading of the "eneloop" letters are slightly lighter and also thinner on the retail version.
Finally, the plastic in the retail version seems to be moulded into a better shape as the seams are better matched across the different pieces of plastic. The retail version's plastic seems to be whiter, although it's possible due to the older age of the promotional version, there had been some discoloration of the plastic. IMO, I doubt that is the case as you don't really notice a "problem" when you don't have both versions side by side. Anyhow, the other good telltail sign of difference between the two versions is the clearer nose in the promotional version and the slightly cloudier/opaque nose in the retail version.
I hope this clears up any misunderstandings of the Eneloopy and anyone on a quest to find one spends their money on the "right" version they want! Sadly, since its been discontinued for the past 2 years, it is getting hard to find. With the 10th anniversary of Eneloop coming up later this year, we shall see if Panasonic decides to resurrect this novelty. In the meantime, good luck!
