eneloop Starter Kit in Blue Case (Power Pack 1st Gen) by SANYO
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Digital camera reviews of eneloop Starter Kit in Blue Case (Power Pack 1st Gen)
Digital camera Review: Eneloop powerpack kit
Summary: 5 Stars
My digital SLR camera used to eat alkaline batteries like hogs at the trough; it's frustrating and expensive. The eneloop batteries hold up and I have never had to switch them out during a shoot. The eneloop charger seems to be a little bit slow charging up a set of batteries but I believe the slow charge is purposely gentle to prevent overheating resulting in shortened life. So far none of my eneloop batteries have died with the eneloop charger.Digital camera Review: Enough shells for the game
Summary: 2 Stars
You are buying a small charger that accommodates 2 batteries AA or AAA. You are buying exactly 6 batteries. 4 AA and 2 AAA.
You are buying ADAPTERS, which means empty plastic shells, that allow the AA batteries to fit in C and D battery electronics.
YOU ARE NOT BUYING C OR D BATTERIES.
This should have been made more clear in the advertisement. This may not actually be a shell game but there are enough shells in the pack for it.
Digital camera Review: Every family should receive one for Christmas
Summary: 5 Stars
If I were Santa Claus, I would give one Sanyo Eneloop Battery Charging Kit to every family in America!
We all know that using rechargeable NiMH batteries (instead of alkaline cells) is good for the environment and the pocket book. But why do most family still buy (and throw away) dozens of alkaline cells every year? The main reason is that most traditional NiMH cells are undependable and inconvenient to use. They may completely self-discharge within a few weeks or even a few days, so you always have to recharge them just before use. The other problem is with battery chargers. Most low-cost slow charger are 'dumb' and can over-charge your cells. Rapid ("15-minute") chargers are particularly bad for battery cycle life, so your cells may go dead after just 50 cycles, instead of 500 cycles as advertised.
With this Eneloop Battery Charging Pack, there is no more excuse! You can now use those rechargeable cells just the way you use alkaline cells (except you don't throw them away, of course). This is because:
1. Those cells come pre-charged and are ready to use - right out of the package.
2. You can choose to top-off those cells anytime with the included MQN05 smart charger - there is no risk of over-charging.
3. Once charged, those cells can retain 80% of their charge even after 6-12 months in storage. That means you can keep a set as backup in your drawer, ready for use anytime.
The only minor complaint I have is with the charger. It only works with 110V AC, so it should not be used as a travel charger. It is also relatively slow because, at 300mA charging current, it takes 7 hours to fully recharge four 2000mAh AA cells. But since you can charge up those cells well in advance (instead of just before use), speed is not a serious limitation.
As you discover more applications for rechargeable batteries, you may want to pick up additional low-self-discharge cells, such as the Sanyo eneloop 4 Pack AA or Rayovac Hybrid 4 pack AA. I have tested both brands and found them to be equally good. If you need a faster and more advanced charger, then the La Crosse Technology BC-900 AlphaPower Battery Charger is probably your best choice. Make sure Santa knows what you want for Christmas!
[Update on Dec 2, 2007]
Those eneloop cells in the package I bought have date code of '0609', which I interpret as '2006 Sept'. I tested four AA cells using my BC-900 and MH-C9000. Their remaining capacities were around 70-73% of full capacity after 14 months of storage!
(In comparison, most Energizer 2500mAh cells I tested lost 30% of their charge within one week)
Possible reasons why those cells are not at 85% as Sanyo has claimed:
1. They were not fully charged when they leave the factory (which presumably uses fast-charging method and hence cannot achieve 100% capacity)
2. They may have been stored at temperature higher than 20 degree C (which is the storage temperature assumed in Sanyo's simulation).
[Update on Nov 18, 2008]
I still recommend the Sanyo eneloop, but the present price of this package is completely out of line. So it is better to check out the Sanyo Eneloop Power Pack, which is sometimes available at a lower cost. If you don't need the C- and D-cell adapters, consider buying the AA/AAA batteries separately, then add a better charger (such as the Duracell Mobile Charger).
[Update on July 26, 2010]
There is a NEW eneloop package available now. It features second-generation eneloop cells, but with the same old MQN06 charger that charges in pairs only:
Sanyo Eneloop Ni-MH Charger and 8 Rechargeable AA and 4 Rechargeable AAA Batteries
Digital camera Review: Excellent product and alternative to expensive single use batteries
Summary: 5 Stars
With a twenty month old child and lots of battery consumption, I am pleased with this purchase! The batteries hold a charge and charge quickly, and they are the only ones to arrive fully charged. The storage case is nice, with the exception of cheap plastic filler around the holder for the product. I do like the size C battery "spacer" option, although I have not tried it yet with the smaller batteries, but I'm saving it for a pinch. Easy to store and charge. A good investment.Digital camera Review: Expensive, but should've had this sooner
Summary: 4 Stars
One of my biggest problems with rechargeable NiMh batteries was that even if I charged them early, after less than a month of it sitting out, it would lose most of its charge. It was a nagging thing. I always just had to be sure to charge them the night before I planned to use them. With Eneloop, I dont have to worry about it anymore! I dont have to leave the charger plugged in all the time either. Once they are charged, they are good for months!!!!!! I bought 2 of these kits, extra AAA and AA batteries and more of the C and D adapter shells.
The other big problem was that I couldnt use rechargeables in flashlights and other emergency devices because after a couple months, the batteries would be dead despite not being used. Eneloop solved that problem. I used the D adapters to put the AA batteries in my big flashlight. Now I know that even 6 months from now, they'll be fine.
My only negative comment is that these are kinda expensive. I just console myself with the fact that I dont need to keep buying batteries nor do I need to keep recharging batteries that are not being used. :-)
Buy these if you care about the environment and how often you have to recharge your old batteries!