OT: Nice tiny NIMH battery charger.

[Rob]

I found a nice, tiny, cheap AA NIMH battery charger I am now using. Actually I bought two of them. Figure someone here is using NIMH for their flashes or for their digital camera. At Circuit City They have a battery clearance rack that is usually near the front door. On it I found the Panasonic BQ-890 quick charger for $9.99 with 2 Panasonic 2100mah batteries. I had ordered the much praised Lightning Pack 4000N charger and batteries and was trying to use it. Mine was a dud...one channel did not work, the other barely worked. So I am sending it back.
The Panasonics are tiny, about 3 ounces and will charge 1,2,3 or 4 batteries at a time. 1 or 2 take 2 hours, 3 or 4 take 4 hours. No wall wart, hidden ac plug pops out of the back. Will also work on 220 with the right plug, great for overseas travel. They did a nice job charging 3 full sets of AA today. All were very close in voltage at the end and not overheated....I think Costco sells/sold this charger in a larger pkg with more batteries for $20 or so. My research looks like Sanyo makes the best and most cells out there, they also make them for Energizer, Kodak and a few other major brands. Here is a good site with battery tests by brand on it.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/BATTS/BATTS.HTM
Oh I also found that they had 4 packs of Panasonic 2100 NIMH marked at $13.99
in one spot, in another part of the store they were marked $6.99 so I got a pack.
Rob

 

[johne]

Has anyone tried the new oxyride batteries? Sound interesting.
Johne

 

[Rob]

Claim to run high drain gear twice as long..So Alkalines last 20 shots in my digital camera, Oxyride will do 40 shots, my NIMH will do 200+ and are basically free after the first recharging. Interesting that Panasonic says that 2 AA cells will run their 9ft long electric car for 3/4 of a mile with a driver aboard!

 

[johne]

I recharge alkaline batteries as often as ten times. Have less capacity after each charge but sure cuts down on costs for small usages.

Johne