Rainman your post on batteries is timely and hopefully you do not mind me starting a new topic with it.
Rainman/GA
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Re: First GPS--- help
« Reply #12 on: Today at 06:29:03 AM »
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Quote from: Siskiyou on November 13, 2005, 03:06:51 PM
One of the important ones is the power source. Both take common over the counter AA batteries or re-chargeable AA batteries. If you are close to home this might not be important. But I think in the terms of being an emergency responder, traveller, fisherman, and hunter. I am a big time user of re-chargeable batteries close to home for both my portable radio, and gps. But I like all the options. I consider a gps that takes a none standard size battery a liability.
Quote from rainman
"Sorry about not being on subject, but Siskiyou, have you tried out the new Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable AAs? I just bought some to try out with my GPS and digicam and they look promising. They're supposed to have a much slower discharge rate than a standard NiMH, holding up to 85% of their charge after a year of storage! Seems promising if you're in the field a lot and you need to grab some spare, charged batteries off the shelf. I found a kit at Costco that has 8 AA, 4 AAA, C & D adapters, and the Sanyo charger for $25."
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About a year ago I bought a package of Sanyo rechargeable batteries and the charger. I did it because of the good reputation Sanyo batteries have. When I got home I tried some in a Mini Mag-lite was surprised to find they were over sized. I recalled years ago we were issued alkaline batteries from a different manufacture for our portable radios. The new batteries were oversized and cracked the battery packs. Wanting to avoid that problem with my gps I returned the Sanyo batteries. After doing this I tried my Energizer batteries in the same flashlight. They were also larger diameter then the alkaline batteries.
Currently I have a large number of re-chargeble AA batteries, which I use in radios, gps units, and a camera. I also rotate a couple of sets of AAA batteries for a granddaughter’s game. Some of my NiMH batteries are around five years old and I would like some fresh batteries next fall.
I understand the big advantage of the Eneloop battery is they retain a charge longer in storage. I see an advantage in using this technology for me. First is in an older digital camera that takes four AA batteries. I currently use NiMh batteries in it. But if the camera sets for a month, and I fail to recharge the batteries I cannot depend on it, especially in cold weather. The second place where they would have an advantage is with my portable FRS/GMRS radios. I keep two of them with cases and batteries in a brief case. These radios see some use during hunting season, but otherwise they are stored for emergency use. Every couple of months I will pull the case out and re-charge the batteries.
I use my gps units on a regular bases, and will stick the batteries in the charger as needed. I also have a 12v adapter for my charger if I need to recharge on the road. I do not see an advantage in using Eneloop batteries in something that is being consistently used. In fact there maybe a disadvantage to using them. I believe Sanyo Eneloop batteries are rated at 2000 NiMh, and Rayovac Hybrid batteries are rated at 2100 NiMh.
Sanyo also sells a 2700 NiMH battery and a few other makers sell 2500 NiMH batteries. The NiMH batteries at the higher rating are approaching the rating of Lithium batteries. I would not be surprised to see a 3000 NiMH AA battery on the market in the next year or so. I also expect to see an increased rating in the Hybrid/Eneloop batteries. Based on what is available today I would select the 2700 NiMH batteries for my gps units and the Eneloop/Hybrid batteries for camera use, and long-term storage with my radios. For field use I would go for the 2700 NiMH batteries in my radios or alkaline batteries because of the approximately twenty-five percent increased capacity. If I used my gps unit infrequently I would go for the Hybrid/Eneloop battery.
I believe that a couple other manufactures are now selling recargeable batteries designed to hold up during storage.
