Are Ni-MH GP Batteries decent? I bought a pack with 4xAA batteries that comes with a dumb USB charger on local Amazon, as it was cheaper than generic Chinese batteries, and also because Eneloop/Fujitsu batteries prices are outrageous in my country.
They’re not Japanese, but from what I know, Gold Peak Batteries is a reputable manufacturer that makes good quality alkaline and lithium batteries, I wonder if the same applies to their secondary cells. By the way, are these LSD cells? They batteries are 2000/2100 mAh minimal/typical and rated for 1000 cycles.
edit: what’s up with the image embedding, it’s only working in Simple Post Editor format.
I have some of the older ones (more green and less silver on the wrapping) that are rated 2050mAh and 1000 cycles. Bought them in 2014 and per a test 2 weeks ago were at 80% of capacity after being charged a 1 year ago.
So at least the ones I have are decent but yours are likely a different make.
Thank you for the feedback. I found this review, and according to the tests, they're good LSD batteries, just not in Eneloop's league, though. Here are the specs:
Nominal voltage: 1.2V
Capacity: 2000mAh
Rechargeable up to 1000 times
Low self discharge: retains 85% after 12 months.
The package back label says these batteries retain their charge for 24 months, however it doesn't state the percentage. Damn, I really regret not picking more of these, they were a steal.
I’ve got some AAA GP. They needed a few cycles at first, to wake up, but since then have been quite satisfactory. Been about 2 years of regular use and so far no problems. Appear at this time to be as good as Eneloops.
I have some other Chinese cells, some have actually been quite decent. Most have not been so good. Trouble is, by the time I’ve figured out the good ones, I’m not sure I can get those cells again, or maybe a lesser battery with the same wrapping.
I consider the 2000mAh GP ReCyko+ (product type 210AAHCB) the second best NiMH batteries right after the classic white Eneloops. Definitely worth for the money…
They have a bit higher capacity (2000mAh) than the Eneloops (1850mAh), but a bit lower cycle count (280 full cycles) compared to Eneloops (350 full cycles).
I haven’t had good luck with them. I got a bunch of the 2700 series after reading good reviews on Amazon. I’ve got some 2000mah too. At first I thought they were good, but now I hate them. I won’t buy anything but Eneloops any more.
Plotthound, may you let us know why you hate them? I’ve also got 4xAAA 950 mAh series. They seem to be good for now, but I don’t know why I kind of regret not getting Eneloop in the first place.
2700mA (or even higher) AA of ANY brand are likely to be poor. To make the very high mA battery (any size), compromises have to be made in the design and build that sacrifice longevity. Even the higher mA ‘good’ cells (2450mA size), of Eneloop do not last as long as the 2000mA. Eneloop even says so in it’s marketing.
Regarding cycling new cells - I don’t know why it works, but it seems to. If I was to guess it’s that they were sitting on the shelf or storage for a very long time. Stagnant chemistry?
Cycling ……some…. new cells seems to improve them and then if used routinely they seem to do OK. Decent cells I’ve put in cold storage for a long time seem to be improved this way too.
Cycling old/tired cells seems to also improve them, but that improvement is short lived and the deterioration continues over time. It’s a small bump up on an otherwise continual decline. It seems tied to the internal resistance. Low IR, they do well with a bit of cycling. High IR, really doesn’t do much good in the long run.
