Best rechargable batteries (aa, aaa etc)
 

Hi there,

Apologies for the large amount of questions recently, but we are jsut back from a trip and lots of stuff to work on.

Can anyone recommend some heavy duty rechargable batteries. I found the ones we were using rather weak. I can't remember the name off the top of my head, but will check when I get home later.

Again thanks to anyone who can offer advice?

Cheers

batteries
 

Energizer rechargeables are quite good also Hama does excellent stuff.

What do you mean 'weak'?

Remember that ALL rechargeable batteries (NiCd and NiMH) start out at only 1.2 volts when Alkaline batteries start out at 1.5 volts. Don't Garmin stick a battery type option in their eTrex models to better manage the power expectation/consumption?

To make them last the longest, just buy the highest capacity Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries you can find - at least 2200 mAh for AA and 1000 mAh for AAA and then charge them using a NiMH-optimised charger.

(To the best of my knowledge it's a limitation placed by the chemical nature of the battery and the metals used therein). That's why mobile phones with their Lithium-Ion batteries are typically 3.7 volt - it's a different chemistry again.

NiMH batteries are great. In the states, I recommend buying through these guys:
Rechargeable Batteries Battery Chargers Rechargeable Lithium Digital Camera Batteries Maha Ansmann Energizer Sanyo ZTS

You can't beat the Maha charger.