The Cheapest SANYO Eneloop in Singapore

Rechargeable Batteries
When it comes to rechargeable batteries, 'SANYO' is the first to be mentioned from among other brands of battery manufacturers. Since the creation of rechargeable batteries, lesser wastes has been generated from the disposal alkaline batteries. In this technology age, more and more electronic equipments rely on this type of 'clean' energy, in the form of rechargeable batteries to power them up. These rechargeable batteries come in different forms, and a popular form is the 'AA' batteries. Today, every household should have at least an equipment that utilizes the 'AA' batteries. A huge portion of people have also switched to the use of rechargeable batteries since it is more cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly. While the 'memory-effect' or more accurately 'Voltage Depression' of rechargeable batteries may still deter people from relying on these batteries, one should know that this effect only plagued the earlier Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable battery. Since the creation of the Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium-ion (Li-ion) rechargeable batteries, the 'memory effect' is history. However, all types of rechargeable batteries, suffer the same fate of dying due to limited charge cycles. Most rechargeable batteries have a limited lifespan of about 1000 charge cycles. Every time a cycle of a full discharge and charge is made, it depletes the life span of these batteries. The rate of its 'death' is even more accelerated by the 'self-discharge'. 'Self-discharge' has been the biggest problem with rechargeable batteries; when the rechargeable batteries are not in use, they will lose their stored energy within a month or so. Hence, a new charge will need to be made to restore the energy in the batteries; doing so eliminates another charge cycle. How about storing unused rechargeable batteries in a discharged state? It is not adviseable to store rechargeable batteries in a discharged state. This paradox of 'cost-efficient' and 'death from self-discharge' may not encourage the switch to using rechargeable batteries.

A New Breed of Rechargeable Batteries
SANYO
has developed a new breed of NiMH rechargeable batteries made with a super lattice alloy, the 'eneloop'. The benefit of the eneloop is the extremely low 'self-discharge' which completely eliminates unnecessary recharging and thus a longer life span (though still limited). Eneloop are tested to be able to retain 85% of the charge when unused for a year. This capability of the eneloop allows these batteries to be sold pre-charged, which means that you can buy the eneloop off the shelf and start using them before the need to do a initial charge. However, despite sharing the same advantage as conventional NiMH rechargeable batteries in having more power over alkaline batteries, these super lattice alloy rechargeable batteries cannot have a capacity as high as the conventional type (max. 2700mAh). The eneloop is rated to have a maximum capacity of 2000mAh. Currently there are a few manufacturers that make these super lattice alloy batteries, one popular one being 'Maha Energy' which made the 'Powerex' and super lattice alloy 'IMEDION'. 'Powerex' (2700mAh) has been the most popular conventional type NiMH rechargeable battery till date, while their 'IMEDION' (2100mAh) puts the 'eneloop' to a good challenge. Tests had shown that the 'IMEDION' is unofficially the world's most best super lattice alloy rechargeable batteries.

SANYO Eneloop
locks in energy longer
As an avid photography hobbyist, the need for more power and spare rechargeable batteries is necessary to operate my 'power-hungry' Nikon D200 (via the MS-D200 for MB-D200/BP-D200) but most importantly for my Nikon SB-600 Speedlight. I am presently using only one set of four 'IMEDION' super lattice rechargeable batteries. These batteries are only able to give so much fires on the strobe, which is about sufficient only for a half-day assignment. The need for more 'juice' is necessary to extend my flash usage for a whole day. It is also good to have more than 1 or even 2 sets of batteries, so that the usage can be rotated, which will greatly prolong the lifespan. While the 'IMEDION' gives more power (rated 2100mAh), the 'eneloop' (rated 2000mAh) is only inferior by around 10 to 15 fires. Moreover, I have found the cheapest 'eneloop' rechargeable batteries in Singapore! I scored mine at S$35.90 for 8pcs (S$4.49 each), while the 'IMEDION' cost S$20 for 4pcs (S$5 each). The only drawback of not getting the 'IMEDION' is the slightly lesser power and lack of the useful storage hard case.


My pearlie-white power cells!

Comments

Laurens said…
nice set of analubes u got......
Anonymous said…
I'm using ReCyko for my camera.
WILLIAM TAN said…
ReCyko are also Super Lattice Alloy batteries with slow discharge.
Izzy said…
May I know where you got the best price for the Eneloops? They're a bit hard to find here in the Philippines right now, and I have a colleague over there in Singapore this week and would like to have him get me a set.

TIA