"Keith" wrote in message
oups.com...
NiMH will self-discharge pretty quickly. I bought a bunch for the boat,
but can only use them in things that I use a lot, and aren't critical.
For instance, don't put them in a flashlight you never use, and expect
it to work three months later. Stick with Duracells for those types of
uses. I use mine in my digital camera, some entertainment radios,
flashlights I use a lot, a coreless gangway light, etc. Other than
that, they are nice.


This was my understanding and experience. As a result I'm not inclined to
buy something like a handheld VHF that uses NiMH batteries. I'd much rather
keep a stock of AA alkalines on-hand.

Those Duracell alkalines seem to have a very long shelf-life. I have a
2-tube fluorescent camping lantern that takes something like 6 or 8 D-cells.
Can't remember for sure because I put the batteries in the lantern in 2001
and they are still working. Admitedly it has not gotten that many hours of
use but the shelf-life is impressive.