Alkaline or Rechargables

[dahut]

Huh? Did this get anywhere?...

... As I make it:
1. Alkalines hold a full 1.5 volts over their useful life, although they degrade to about the voltage level of rechargeables over time. At these vlaues, the detector works like it was designed - for some this is referred to as "erratic behavior." Maybe you should reduce your SENS(gasp!)
2. Alkies are cheap enough.
3. NiCad and NiMH only attain 1.2-1.3 volts no matter the charge. They are expensive to initially purchase.
3. Rechargeables last for maybe 1000's of charges.
4. They die instantaneously, alkalines slowly discharge, allowing ample warning .
5. They SHOULD last longer than a week on the shelf at charge.
6. You need to ensure you have a shut-off charger, once the rechargeables have attained peak charge. Such "intelligent" chargers are expensive.
7. Better have a backup pack to put on charge while youre out detecting, or should other mishaps occur.
8. Better have alkaline backups.

Me, I like the idea of rechargeables - but they WILL NOT simplify your life. You must learn to work within the confines of their technology. Alkalines are drop in and go, albeit at an increased cost over the life of your detector.
I buy alkies at discount, usually at about $.20/battery. I am not a heavy user so this works for me.
If you are a heavy user. then look into rechargeables.

Did I miss anything important?

 

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[Monty]

I didn't mean to say the rechargeables go dead on the shelf in minutes, I meant to say days. Sorry, hope I didn't scare anyone away! Monty

 

[Mega]

I use 2000mah ic3's and charger which charge 4AA batts in 15min. Been using them in the GTI for about a year and all is well, Usually get 12+ hrs of detecting time with them.

Found out sometime last week that their on clearance at RS so i picked up eight more for the Tejon. Have about 8+hrs on that set and still going strong.

 

[RAYAR]

Ed, the ones I have are brand new Energizers, 2500 mAh and I just can't seem to get them to hold a charge for more than about 4 to 6 hrs in the detector and they will even discharge on the shelf! I bought 16 batteries from two different lots just to be sure it wasn't bad batteries and same old same old. I wish I could get good service from them as it would save a lot of money. Monty

It sounds to me like you purchased the ones made in Japan. You want the ones made in China. http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=93394&forum_id=51
Check this link for more info.

 

[donnydave]

I buy alkaline from a local Lidl store called aerocell they show fully charged on my detector, a C-Scope.These last for hours sometimes weeks depending on the length of my sessions. I thought I would try recharchables and kept buying bigger mah, because none of the rechargeables show fully charged on my detector and they only last a session or less. My last purchase of rechargeables where 3200 mah but still only showed 3/4 charge on my detector. So I have gone back to using aerocell £2.99 for 8 x AA.