Rechargable Battery (AA, etc) Question

[LarryG]

I recently read about a new kind of rechargeable battery (AAA, AA, etc size) that has just come on the market. They're supposed to be fully charged when you buy them, and if unused will hold a charge for something like nine or ten months instead of going flat within a couple-few weeks.

Does anyone know what these are called; what I should look for? The ones I have for my digital camera right now are CR*P and I'm looking for something better.

Thanks!

[sd]

Sanyo sells these batteries under the brand name "Eneloop." There are similar batteries from other makers. They have less total capacity than regular NIMH batteries but much less self-discharge.

[RichG]

Rayovac used to make a rechargable alkaline battery they called "renewal" that sounds like what you describe. It was a full 1.5v and would hold a change for a long time on the shelf. I used them for quite some time but can't find them any more. They were great for things like TV remote controls, flashlights, portable radios, anything that would take an alkaline AA, AAA, C or D. What they weren't good for is digital cameras as the load is different, NiMH is best for those. The only problem with the renewals was you had to charge them before they went completely dead. If you let it die you were throwing it away.

I wonder if these new type are similar.

[MilDoc]

I used NiMh rechargeable for the forst few years. If you don't use them often they will lose the ability to hold a charge. And travelling with a charger etc was a PITA.

Personally, after using the e2 Energizer Lithium batteries, I won't go back. Bit more expensive (around here $10 for 4) but the first set I bought took over 2500 photos. The second set in the camera now is over a year old and going strong.