Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Low self-discharge (Eneloop) style AA batteries

Are the low self-discharge style AA batteries superior in power and longevity to regular NiMH batteries with higher ratings? I have been using AA batteries such as Sanyo, Maha and Duracell rated in the 2650-2700 mAh range. I keep hearing great things about Eneloop-style batteries, but their ratings are more in the 2000-2100 mAh range. I know Eneloops are supposed to hold their charge longer if stored awhile before using, but I generally use my batteries right after charging or within a week or so. If that is the case, would Eneloops provide me any advantages?

The black 2100 mAh Maha IMEDION MiMH are supposed to hold 85% of the charge for a year. When I received them they were fully charged and I can confirm that they hold nearly 100% power for at least 3 months.

http://tinyurl.com/y8q7fmh

Adam

Are the low self-discharge style AA batteries superior in power and longevity to regular NiMH batteries with higher ratings? I have been using AA batteries such as Sanyo, Maha and Duracell rated in the 2650-2700 mAh range. I keep hearing great things about Eneloop-style batteries, but their ratings are more in the 2000-2100 mAh range. I know Eneloops are supposed to hold their charge longer if stored awhile before using, but I generally use my batteries right after charging or within a week or so. If that is the case, would Eneloops provide me any advantages?


From my experience, Eneloops last much longer for tail lights where the current drain is low. For Fenix L2D type lights that demand high current, Eneloops may not have quite the capacity of others but they are at least very close. I do notice that Eneloops, where 2 are used in one light, are much more evenly used in terms of mAhr, with other batteries, one might charge with 2000 mAhr, the other with 1200 mAhr. The power is only as strong as the weakest battery. So, get a good charger that can test each AA individually, refresh as needed.
The bottom line, Eneloops are very good for me and very consistent so far, Sony are also very good for high current demands. Other battery types are spotty, and often need refreshing, 5% to 10% of them go bad (lose >50% capacity) in 1 to 2 years.
my 2 cents...

I've been very happy with Eneloops, and feel a solid, dependable 2000mAh is better than what seem to be unreliable 2700. The highest capacity AA NiMHs have historically been highly variable in my experience, since the days of 1200mAh.

The only pre-charged or low self-discharge batteries I have are Rayovak Hybrids, and they don't last as long as my Sanyo 2700, Maha 2700 or Duracell 2650s. They are nice to keep as backups, however, because they hold most of their charge for so long. But once I start using them, they seem to lose their charge faster.

I've been very happy with Eneloops, and feel a solid, dependable 2000mAh is better than what seem to be unreliable 2700. The highest capacity AA NiMHs have historically been highly variable in my experience, since the days of 1200mAh.

Totally agree here. Even with topped off 2700mA Duracells, my 2000mA Eneloops perform longer, even when they're not immediately topped off. I've stopped using my 2700mA Duracells and gone all Eneloops, and I haven't noticed any sacrifice in runtime.

I've used eneloops for 2-3 years now, with no regrets except that I didn't learn about them sooner.

Thomas Distributing has the best deals I could find on AA and AAA eneloops and high quality, affordable (la crosse) chargers. Cheap shipping too. I have an order on the way now.

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/

If you plan to use your bats in a high drain device such an LED light which gets 2 hours of runtime or so, and you use all that in a week you'll get longer runtime with a standard ni-mh bat such as the Sanyo 2700. If you plan on letting the light sit around for a while, use it very little, or it is low drain, then you're better off with Eneloops.

I use Eneloops in my taillights, but I used to use Sanyo 2700 in my Fenix LD2 as they would be charged every other day.

If you plan to use your bats in a high drain device such an LED light which gets 2 hours of runtime or so, and you use all that in a week you'll get longer runtime with a standard ni-mh bat such as the Sanyo 2700. If you plan on letting the light sit around for a while, use it very little, or it is low drain, then you're better off with Eneloops.

I use Eneloops in my taillights, but I used to use Sanyo 2700 in my Fenix LD2 as they would be charged every other day.

Interestingly, I test this nearly weekly because I run for 90-120 minutes with a Fenix L2D. I have good-quality,newish Duracell 2650mA which I used to alternate with the Eneloops, but have stopped since, because I noticed no difference in runtime. I would have expected the Eneloops to conk out earlier, but at least for me, it's not the case. I definitely would notice, as I usually change the batteries when it dims at around the 75-80 minute mark - and the light hasn't dropped off prematurely with Eneloops. At least for me.

(I was shocked to find this actually - I originally got Eneloops for a pager, and just used it in my lights for kicks, and to my amazement, it worked as well as the Duracells which are a highly reviewed, high quality hi-discharge battery.)

http://www.users.on.net/~mhains/Reviews.html