Best AA rechargeable batteries for PSR-500

[gmclam]

I'm not sure where you got the idea that PowerEx are cheap batteries. They are priced similarly to the Eneloop, plus they have similar specs and performance. Obviously, there will be some variation from batch to batch, as with all manufacturers.

Don't confuse cheap with price. You can pay a lot and still not get good value.

When I first bought my Maha charger, I also purchased just about every brand of NiMH out there; Duracell, Eveready, Chicago Electric, .... I can't remember them all. It wasn't long and I got the dreaded "HIGH" message on the charger, even though these batteries were fairly new. I contacted Maha; and to make a long story short, they blamed the batteries and replaced them all with PowerEx.

As I started using/testing the PowerEx, I could see they were headed the same way and learned of the Eneloops. Jump ahead a year from there and every battery had reached HIGH (and therefore was unusable) except the Eneloops. It's now been several years and the only Eneloops I've had that reached End-Of-Life are the 2700maH models. I've got 3 sets of 2000maH Eneloops separated by at least 2 years each that are all still going strong.

 

[bharvey2]

If that still doesnt work, one on each end probably would and he could connect via Cat 5 to his laptop on the far end.

I've heard they have good batteries but I can't afford to go to Harbor Freight. If I bought only batteries, I'd be okay but I don't seem to do that,

I've noticed that they have a nasty problem with their shopping carts. As you walk down the aisles, the carts cause items to fall in to them. It's better to walk the aisles without one.

 

[krokus]

Don't confuse cheap with price. You can pay a lot and still not get good value.

When I first bought my Maha charger, I also purchased just about every brand of NiMH out there; Duracell, Eveready, Chicago Electric, .... I can't remember them all. It wasn't long and I got the dreaded "HIGH" message on the charger, even though these batteries were fairly new. I contacted Maha; and to make a long story short, they blamed the batteries and replaced them all with PowerEx.

As I started using/testing the PowerEx, I could see they were headed the same way and learned of the Eneloops. Jump ahead a year from there and every battery had reached HIGH (and therefore was unusable) except the Eneloops. It's now been several years and the only Eneloops I've had that reached End-Of-Life are the 2700maH models. I've got 3 sets of 2000maH Eneloops separated by at least 2 years each that are all still going strong.

That was why I specified performance, too. I have not tried the Eneloope brand, so I am relying on other people's reports. I have had good experiences with PowerEx.

 

[gmclam]

That was why I specified performance, too. I have not tried the Eneloope brand, so I am relying on other people's reports. I have had good experiences with PowerEx.

People's definition of perfomance differs. Is it more important to reach 60 MPH in 5 seconds or have a vehicle that lasts 250,000 miles?

With regard to these batteries, I'm not measuring whether I can get 2100maH from a 2000maH rated battery. When new, all these batteries delivered what they are rated. How long that lasted is a different question. The biggest issue for me was how many recharge cycles I got from each battery brand. Using a set of batteries normally, with a discharge & recharge cycle about every 2 days; PowerEx for me did not last one year. I'd have to look at receipts to report when I first bought Eneloops, but I have a couple of sets still delivering over 1800maH after about 10 years of use.

 

[K9DAK]

This post reminds me of the ones on a vintage VW site I belong to... what oil should I use in my '66 1300? A hundred responses, a hundred and two different answers.

That said... I've always used and had great performance with Eneloop 2000 mAh cells.

 

[k5xs]

The "SLR Lounge" article posted above reflects my experience in comparing Eneloops and Powerex Pro batteries. The Powerex batteries consistently outperform the Eneloops for me in scanners, hand-held radios, and in photo flashes.

I had read on several RR forums here that Eneloops were under-rated (that they out perform their mAh specs) and they perform better than other batteries with higher stated capacities.

That has not been my experience.

 

[AZMONITOR]

I have been using multiple sets of Eneloop batteries for my handheld scanners for up to ten years and the batteries have not shown any major weakness. I have not needed to replace any of them thus far. For slightly longer duty cycles or heavier current drain such as in a digital scanner or camera I like the Powerex Pro 2700 mAh batteries and the Eneloop Pro 2450 mAh batteries. I always make a point of charging them in an external charger such as the Opus BT-C2000 or the Maha MH-C9000 where I can specify the rate of current for charging, perform an analysis cycle, break-in cycle or discharge cycle. These chargers can also charge AAA batteries. I also label all of my rechargeable batteries with a letter and number so I can be assured that I am charging batteries in specified sets and not mixing them together. Also, I maintain a data base which tells me when I acquired a given battery, when I last charged it, the type of charge, normal, break-in, analysis cycle with the result, and where that set is at present, in a given radio, in a ready bag, or sitting in an electronics drawer. I call it my battery management program. It works for me since I have about 84 AA and AAA rechargeable batteries.

 

[baker50021]

Interstate Batteries NIC1460 (2500 mAh), use external charger, will get about 9 hrs in my Whistler. Only downside is they fail after about 500 charges.

 

[tumegpc]

IKEA LADDA rechargeable AA batteries (2450mAh) made in JAPAN They cost $6.99 for a 4 pack. I bought 3 sets and having very good results.

 

[DJ11DLN]

I've heard they have good batteries but I can't afford to go to Harbor Freight. If I bought only batteries, I'd be okay but I don't seem to do that,

I have the same problem but lack the willpower to stay out of the place.

Their nimh AA's are pretty good. They're not Eneloops or Powerex but they don't cost very much either. I've got a couple of sets that are going on 2 years old and still work at 95% of their capacity when new. I can afford to have a lot more of them around than I can of the high-end ones and if one quits or gets lost it isn't a big deal. My biggest problem with them was that they were always out of stock at the local HFT...then I discovered that I could just order them direct from the website.

 

[Bob1955]

These Duracell AA rechargeable batteries are useless
They didnt last many cycles at all before causing the scanner to instantly die the moment its unplugged.

any suggestions on rechargeable ‘AA’ batteries that work well with this scanner

Panasonic Enloop!

 

[Bob1955]

IKEA LADDA rechargeable AA batteries (2450mAh) made in JAPAN They cost $6.99 for a 4 pack. I bought 3 sets and having very good results.

They are the same as Panasonic Enloop!