*yawn* I've quit buying disposable batteries for everything but the smoke alarms. I still have a stash of them, but as they become depleted I've been buying Eneloop rechargeable batteries and have never been happier. Dead batteries? Just go pop them in the LaCross charger and a few hours later they're ready go go. Fast charge if you need them in a hurry but I usually do the slow charge as it's easier on the batteries. Yeah they're a bit spendy, but many of mine have already paid for themselves.
I suppose I can think of one good use for these new zinc air cells, flashlights that I keep in my cars. Rarely used, and seems like more often than not the batteries are not only dead, but leaking all over the place when I need the flashlight most. Like another poster, I've had several nice MagLites ruined by leaking alkalines, one so badly that I can't get the batteries out to find out what brand they are to get the light replaced. Zinc air shouldn't ever leak.
BTW, I tried some Tenergy NiMH batteries that claimed to be low self discharge, got a batch because they were a lot cheaper than the Eneloops. They are *junk*, save your money and buy one of the reputable brands. The Tenergy cells self discharge faster than the old conventional NiMH cells I have, they get warm charging at only 200mA, the capacity when new is about 70% of rated and drops rapidly with light use. Furthermore they will pay you to post favorable reviews. Resist the temptation. JUNK.
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*yawn*
I've quit buying disposable batteries for everything but the smoke alarms. I still have a stash of them, but as they become depleted I've been buying Eneloop rechargeable batteries and have never been happier. Dead batteries? Just go pop them in the LaCross charger and a few hours later they're ready go go. Fast charge if you need them in a hurry but I usually do the slow charge as it's easier on the batteries. Yeah they're a bit spendy, but many of mine have already paid for themselves.
I suppose I can think of one good use for these new zinc air cells, flashlights that I keep in my cars. Rarely used, and seems like more often than not the batteries are not only dead, but leaking all over the place when I need the flashlight most. Like another poster, I've had several nice MagLites ruined by leaking alkalines, one so badly that I can't get the batteries out to find out what brand they are to get the light replaced. Zinc air shouldn't ever leak.
BTW, I tried some Tenergy NiMH batteries that claimed to be low self discharge, got a batch because they were a lot cheaper than the Eneloops. They are *junk*, save your money and buy one of the reputable brands. The Tenergy cells self discharge faster than the old conventional NiMH cells I have, they get warm charging at only 200mA, the capacity when new is about 70% of rated and drops rapidly with light use. Furthermore they will pay you to post favorable reviews. Resist the temptation. JUNK.