Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - How is this charger/batteries?

OK, I am using the usual DX LED flashlight and want to get some batteries and a charger. My commute is approx 40 minutes each way.

I see this unit at wallyworld:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5640637

Is this reasonable for my purposes? I know that the illuminati get their batts and chargers from mail order, but I am wondering if the retail ones are reasonable.

Doug

Check out this thread http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=459689 there are some good recommendations for chargers there.

I purchased the La Croose BC 900 from Thomson Dist. and received it within four days of the order. Since I am still "on the mend" for my knee I have not put it through heavy use.

I would not recommend a "cheap charger" as you can see if you read the reviews there were complaints of the batteries dying early. "Most likely do to overcharging/overheating by the charger" I would spend the extra few bucks and get something that will not kill your batteries prematurely.

30 minute chargers will kill your NiMHs, plus not fully charger the batteries properly. I also recommend the LaCrosse. If that's too spendy, get a charger that will trickle charge about 4 hours.

30 minute chargers will kill your NiMHs, plus not fully charger the batteries properly. I also recommend the LaCrosse. If that's too spendy, get a charger that will trickle charge about 4 hours.

OK I won't get the batteries/charger from my OP.

I did check out the LaCrosse....but how about the T-6280 from batteryjunction.com? It seems less expensive and comes with 8 AAs and 8 AAAs. Is this a reasonable unit? The price seems better than LaCrosse.

(link: http://www.batteryjunction.com/tsmbachwi8aa1.html)

OK I won't get the batteries/charger from my OP.

I did check out the LaCrosse....but how about the T-6280 from batteryjunction.com? It seems less expensive and comes with 8 AAs and 8 AAAs. Is this a reasonable unit? The price seems better than LaCrosse.

(link: http://www.batteryjunction.com/tsmbachwi8aa1.html)

Do you want cheap or do you want quality?

Do you want cheap or do you want quality?

I am really pretty ignorant about batteries. Bikes, I know. But batteries, I don't. That's why I was asking. If there really is a major difference between the battery junction charger/batteries and the one LaCrosse, I am willing to pay a bit more.

I am really pretty ignorant about batteries. Bikes, I know. But batteries, I don't. That's why I was asking. If there really is a major difference between the battery junction charger/batteries and the one LaCrosse, I am willing to pay a bit more.

These is a massive difference in both the chargers and the batteries. A quality charger will know exactly when to stop charging each individual battery without over charging it. Quality batteries are actually at least the minimum capacity labeled, and keep a charge much better than cheap ones.

Personally I like Maha chargers, largely do to their many features and superb warranty (three years) and customer service. One of mine had a bad display, and I was sent out a new charger the same day as I called them, no questions asked. There was another poster here who had a problem with his Lacrosse charger and couldn't get a response from them.

As for batteries I have had good results with both Powerx and Sanyo 2700 cells. Avoid batteries that say 2900mah as they are simply mislabeled and rubbish batteries.

Here is a good place to buy batteries and chargers. http://thomasdistributing.com/

Thanks for the tips. I went ahead and got a LaCrosse BC 900....seems like a nice unit. I put the stock batteries in the charger and used the setting for new batteries (I think it cycles between charge/discharge)....it's been 48 hours and it's still not done....how long does this take??

Doug