"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 11 Oct 2005 15:45:10 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:


"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...

Just wondering.

My little camera speedlight uses four AA batteries and gives me about
160
or so flashes before they need to be replaced. They're not expensive,
but
I don't always have a fresh set available, and I don't always remember
to
stop and buy some before I go out with my camera.

So, I've been thinking about getting four rechargeable NiMH batteries
for
about $2.50 each, and a charger. Sony and others offer a charger-battery
combo for about $30.

I'm wondering how long these NiMH batteries "hold" their charge if they
are freshly charged? If it is several weeks between camera use, would I
be
wanting to recharge them prior to taking the camera out to use?

Any experience?

Thanks.

Based on Tom Francis' recommendation, I bought Panasonic's batteries and
charger. Fine for some uses, but not for others. Some "smart" devices
think
the batteries are low even if you put in freshly charged ones, and won't
function nearly as long as with alkalines. And, the NiMH batteries lose
charge just sitting in a box unused. So, you need to pay attention to
those,
or they won't be the backups you think they are.

For some reason, I don't have problems with them like others seem to.
I'll admit that they have some minor flaws and can discharge, but when
fuly charged, they last a while. I have several battery operated
devices with them and they work for me.

Having said that, I always take along several packs of alkaline
batteries - just in case. You never know.

For lots of stuff, they're working fine. But, my Raytheon handheld VHF
thinks it's smarter than the batteries. It shuts itself off, and if I
measure the batteries later, they're still above 1.3 v. Same with my Sony
portable CD thing. The GPS unit is OK with them, as are a couple of really
bright flashlights. I'm still using less disposable batteries, which is a
step in the right direction.