****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I have been using Sanyo eneloop low-self-discharge NiMH batteries since beginning of 2007, and I'm completely satisfied with them. One thing I noticed is that newcomers to the rechargeable battery arena often have similar questions/confusions about eneloop. So here is my list of eneloop Frequently Asked Questions. This list is work in progress.[Q1] My Sanyo eneloop AA batteries say '1900mAh' on them. Are they counterfeits?[A] All eneloop AA cells (both original and second-gen versions) are rated for "Typ 2000mAh, Min 1900mAh" according to Sanyo. The confusing part is that 2nd-gen eneloop AA cell only has "Min 1900mAh" printed on it, even though the actual measured capacity is close to 2100mAh.Simialrily, eneloop AAA cells are rated for "Typ 800mAh, Min 750mAh".[Q2] Date code on my new eneloop cells says '10 01' (Jan 2010). Should I exchange them for newer batteries?[A] Relax! Unlike ordinary NiMH cells, Sanyo eneloop are still perfectly good even after 5 years in storage. Once you recharge them, they will return to 100% capacity again.[Q3] What is the difference between 'Pre-Charged', 'Hybrid', 'Stay-Charged', 'Active Charged', 'Ready to Use' and 'Ready to Go'?[A] Those are all marketing terms for Low-Self-Discharge (LSD) NiMH batteries. Sanyo first used the term 'Pre-Charged' for Sanyo eneloop back in 2006. Rayovac used 'Hybrid', and so on.[Q4] I just received some new eneloop batteries. Do I need to recharge them before use?[A] You can use them right out of the package. However, eneloop cells are only charge up to ~75% when they left factory. So you can use a Smart charger to 'top-off' their charges. Do NOT do this with a Dumb charger because it will badly over-charge them.[Q5] I thought I have to drain my batteries completely before recharging them?[A] This is only necessary if you are using a timer-based dumb charger. With a smart charger, you can top-off your batteries anytime.[Q6] Can I use other brands of chargers to recharge Sanyo eneloop batteries?[A] Sanyo eneloop batteries can be recharged using any good-quality Smart charger designed for NiMH cells. But for longer battery lifespan, avoid ultra-fast (15- or 30-minute) chargers and Dumb (overnight) slow chargers[Q7] What is the difference between 'Smart' and 'Dumb' chargers?[A] A Smart charger monitors the voltage profile of each cell individually during charging, and stops when a charge-termination signal (negative delta-Voltage) is detected. This is the only way to avoid over-charging. A Dumb charge relies on safety timer to stop charging, or has no termination mechanism at all. This usually results in over-charging which is bad for battery lifespan.[Q8] Should I stick to the I have done extensive testing on the They charge rapidly & hold the charge in storage longer. In practical use, do not last as long as non-rechargeable batteries per use.Check around. When I looked at how many batteries, the charger, and the spacers that came with it, this price could not be beat.These batteries are amazing and work great. I actually bought them both on recommendation of others and after trying some a friend had. They live up to their claims so far. My friend has even gone over a year without using them and found them still nearly fully charged (as advertised).The batteries had a pretty good charge in them right out of the box, but personally I recommend charging them all before use or any long term storage. I did an experiment putting three AAA right out of the box into a LED flashlight and leaving it on to see how soon lost power and how long til it went out completely. I then charged those same AAA batteries and prepeated the experiement. Out of the box they showed light loss (still totally usable lumens though) after 40 mins and dead in 55. After charging I again saw light loss at 40 mins, but the light remained usable more than four hours.Oh, and nice thing about the kit: it is actually quite roomy. I was able to fit the batteries from an additional pack of both 8 AAA and 8 AA into the kit without too much trouble (some of the AA went into the C and D Spacers) with room for more batteries still. Very conveinent.Love em, and already ordered more.These batteries are one of the best brands I have ever tested over the years. I find Panasonic even understates the capacity on them, very few in the pack were around 800 mAh. They last long in high drain devices and they're more environmentally friendly than Ni-Cd batteries. In fact I've gone ahead and replaced all my old Ni-Cd batteries with these ones, Ni-MH just lasts so much longer than Ni-Cd.No change in how I feel.I LOVE these products. There simply cannot be more to say that they are AWESOME.The only thing I personally cannot speak to yet is how they last over time, but the sets my friend has had for years now are still going strong and hold a charge every bit as long as advertised (personally, we think they do better than advertised).I am replacing ALL my rechargeables with these AND am buying some to store for emergencies like power outages and such.Highly recommend for people that use a lot of batteries (say, use flashlights and such at work or lots of personal electronics), people with kids that have lots of powered toys, and anyone who wants to have spare power on hand.I really like these rechargeable batteries, I was about to give up on rechargeable after trying R-O-V 15 minute charge batteries, they worked good for a few months then wouldn't hold a charge and finally I couldn't even find replacement so I went to two other brands with no luck, I decided to google rechargeable and from the results decided to buy a set, I waited about two years before buying more, these batteries are really good, I had bought a game camera in January, the temp here goes to -25 to -30C and these batteries took pictures without being charged for two months, I finally decided to give them a charge and they still preform like new.Excellent batteries. Best performance in rechargables that I've ever had. Use these exclusively in my Canon A2IS camera and they maintain their charge even after being unused in the camera for weeks. This is far superior to any other high quality (name brand) battery I've purchased previously.Its now Nov 2017 and these batteries are still top performers. I've left them in my camera for long periods and they hold their charge and have yet to let me down.It's December 2021 and these still provide outstanding performance. I have NEVER had any rechargable product that was this impressive. That's right, I bought these in January 2014. Used in a Canon camera.
