Battery charger - suggestions.

[Zico]

Looking to pick up a semi-decent battery charger (and possibly some AA's to go with it).

Any suggestions as to what to get?

We have some bog standard chargers here (plug in the wall and go - nothing complicated) but I'm worried about over charging/knackered batteries etc.

Currently cycling between two pairs of Duracell 2650mAh AA's at the moment in our digital camera.

**Edit**
Off topic - Our rottweiler Kiya had her second litter this morning. Uploaded some video footage taken on our camera to my Flickr page.

[leowyatt]

ansmann energy 4 :)

[Mark]

^ This - because I believe it was me that recommended it first time around. :)

As for the batteries, if you use the camera a lot, those batteries will continue to be fine. If, instead, you want to be able to put the camera away for a few weeks and be sure it'll still work when you get it out, get some of the new 'no discharge' batteries - e.g. Eneloop.

[LeperousDust]

Yep, i heartily recommend some sanyo eneloops myself, there are two types as mark says high capacity ones which self discharge at an alarming rate, or some slightly smaller (i think 2500mah maybe?) but they keep their charge incredibly well, meaning you can charge and store them ready to use like disposables whenever the need arises...

[Mark]

Eneloops are 2000mAh. Energizer and Vapex also offer them at about 2200mAh, but take care with these as both these manufacturers offer both types.

[Zico]

Eneloops are 2000mAh. Energizer and Vapex also offer them at about 2200mAh, but take care with these as both these manufacturers offer both types.

Any suggestions where to get/find the 2200mAh Energizer 'eneloops' equivalent?

What about these:
http://www.battery-force.co.uk/detail_AMAANIV008.html?via=fg

[Mark]

Well, there were two problems with my post. First, they're manufactured by Uniross, and second, they're 2100mAh...

http://www.batterylogic.co.uk/hybrio.htm

[leowyatt]

I'd also like to point out that Ansmann have 3 year warranties and they replaced my faulty Energy 4 I bought off ebay after 18 months of use and also gave me a pack of rechargeable batteries for the trouble :)

[Zico]

Anybody know if the Ansmann MaxE+ are equal to the Eneloops/Hybrios?

Looking at the chargers, would I be best off getting something like:
http://www.battery-force.co.uk/detail_AMCHRG001F-Ansmann-Energy-4-Charger.html

Or

http://www.battery-force.co.uk/detail_AMCHRG001L-Ansmann-Powerline-5-LCD-Charger.html

Or

http://www.battery-force.co.uk/detail_AMCHRG001O-Ansmann-Digicharger-Vario-Pro.html

[Lozza]

The first one is the one I have,.. think leo has that one too.

[Mark]

Yes, and me too.

Second one is similar, but a faster charger (Eneloops in 2 hours instead of 3).

Third one I've never seen before (obviously!) but doesn't give any charging specs. If you need a standalone Li-Ion charger then it might be an option.

If the MaxE+ batteries live up to the claims, they'll be very good. I might even have got some had they been an option at the time.

[Jonny69]

I've been quite happy with my GP Recyko batteries which claim they don't discharge. They just sit in the torch in the garage and after 6 months they still have plenty of juice left in them :)