PowerGenix reveals potent NiZn rechargeable AA batteries
By Darren Murph 
posted December 16th 2008 12:00AM
posted December 16th 2008 12:00AM
Update: A 4-pack of Super Z's is $14.99, the 4-pack and charger set is $49.99.
Ritz Camera Super Z Battery Introduces PowerGenix's AA Nickel-Zinc Technology
Leading retail chain selects high performance Nickel-Zinc batteries to deliver power
boost.
Irvine, Calif. – December 16, 2008 – Ritz Camera, the nation's largest retail camera and
photo chain, today announced the introduction of Quantaray Super Z, a Nickel-Zinc
(NiZn) AA rechargeable battery and charger set. Ritz's Super Z batteries provide greater
power for today's high drain consumer electronics, enabling superior camera
performance compared to existing rechargeable batteries. San Diego-based PowerGenix,
developer and manufacturer of nontoxic, high performance NiZn rechargeable
technology will supply the batteries to Ritz.
Despite rapid innovation in the capabilities of portable electronics, until recently,
progress has been slow to develop batteries able to meet the demand of these power-
hungry devices. With advanced NiZn performance, the Super Z has been introduced by
Ritz Camera to fulfill the growing needs of high drain digital cameras and accessories.
By delivering a higher voltage than existing rechargeable cells, cameras equipped with
NiZn cells benefit from brighter flash, shorter flash recovery time, and more shots per
charge.
"Quantaray Super Z batteries exemplify Ritz's commitment to providing customers with
innovative, world-class products. Responding to the demand for better battery
performance, we've selected state-of-the-art Nickel-Zinc technology to deliver the
advanced power required of today's camera and photo electronics," said Ritz Camera
CEO David Ritz. "With greater power for better camera performance coupled with easy
recharge and operation, Super Z means you'll never miss the shot.
Committed to protecting the environment, Ritz Camera is an active member in the
Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation's (RBRC) Call2Recycle program for the
collection and proper disposal of rechargeable batteries. Earlier this year, PowerGenix's
NiZn technology was certified by the RBRC for collection and recycling, becoming only
the fifth rechargeable chemistry recognized by the program. Further amplifying Ritz's
environmental efforts, PowerGenix's NiZn batteries contain no toxic heavy metals such
as lead, cadmium or mercury and are the most recyclable rechargeable chemistry on the
market.
"With the Super Z, Ritz Camera has taken great strides to present their customers with
high quality, eco-friendly power solutions, and in the process positioned themselves at
the cutting-edge of a changing marketplace" said Dan Squiller, CEO of PowerGenix.
"As the pioneer in Nickel-Zinc technology, PowerGenix is providing Ritz with the latest
in battery innovation, delivering performance at the pinnacle of consumer rechargeable
batteries."
Quantaray Super Z will be available both in Ritz retail locations and through their online
store at www.ritzcamera.com.
Pic shows 2650mAh
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/141660399.htm
If they actually have a higher voltage then they will deliver more wattage at the same amperages, amps X volt = watt, 2.500 x 1.2 = 3 and 2.500 x 1.5 = 3.75, quite the difference in this (imaginary) example, and devices would work better (flash recharge etc.) and last longer.
I love my rechargeable AA's! I wish they would build a laptop that would run on about 20-30 of them.
That's what you think now, but if you tried that, I think you'd end up thinking quite the quantary.
Why is everyone linking to http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/141660399.htm ?
The linked product is a good old set of Ni-Mh batteries, not the unreleased Ni-Zn batteries this article is about!
Yes, the Ni-Mh batteries linked to are 1.25V, that's because they are Ni-Mh, not what this article is about.
Yes, the Ni-Mh batteries have been around for "at least a month" without press coverage, they are good old Ni-Mh batteries.
Look for the Ni-Zn batteris to be labelled "super Z" like, um, the picture in this article.
I work at a Ritz camera, and we've had the SUPER Z batteries for nearly two months. I haven't used them myself - I use only eneloops in my camera equipment.
It would be wonderful news if they announced AAA's. I use an insulin pump that runs off of a single AAA. I would use rechargables, but the device is very sensitive to supply voltage, so the 1.2 volts of a NiMH doesn't cut it. If they made AAA's, I'd be first in line to pick some up.
I dont see anything mentioning Ni-Zinc on http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/141660399.htm, the charger says for Ni-MH and Ni-Cd...
Wake me up when sanyo starts making NiZn eneloops that discharge at 10-20% per year, hold a 1.5v charge until at least 50% mAh is depleted, and work fine in a lacrosse bc-900.
I don't really trust this no-name brand without even a single real review yet.
My personal unboxing experience so far:
I just bought 2 packs today from Ritz, each containing 4 AA batteries at $15 per package. On the battery itself, it says 1.6V and 2500 mWh. AFAIK, this is comparable to about half the charge of regular alkalines and about 2/3s the charge of today's best NiMH, but with higher voltage in the latter case plus claims of better load discharge. Straight out of the packaging, the battery measured 1.7 V under no load on the trusty ol' Fluke meter, so I guess the claims of low self-discharge seem to ring true. I bought these batteries to replace my NiMH batteries because of the self-discharge issue was a major drawback.
Power is the RATE of energy usage. Power is how fast (max amps) multipled by the voltage.
ma-hr is the total energy in the battery. If the camera uses 1 amp, a 2000mahr (2.0 amp-hr) battery theoretically can supply 1Amp for 2 hours or 2 amsp for 1 hour.