From what I see, it looks like they changed the name of the Pre-Charged batteries to these Stay-Charged batteries. These are not the typical NIMH batteries. They state that they hold a charge for 5x longer than a typical rechargeable battery.
But I believe that you can get 12 AAA Eneloops, or 10 AA at Costco for $20 + tax. You can save a bit here if you are ordering more than one set though. I have been using some Made in Japan Duracell Pre-Charged batteries for a while now, and I love them. But I guess at one time, the Duracells were just rebranded Eneloops.
[QUOTE=sayya, post:15, topic:362140]
No these are not comparable to Eneloops. These are high drain while the Eneloops are low drain. Get the low drain (Duracell calls them “pre-charged”) as they hold a charge much longer.
[/quote]
My understanding is that Staycharged is the new name for Precharged (at least in the UK). Eneloops are a high drain battery (can supply high current), but they (like these), are low self-discharge, which means they will hold their charge if unused instead of losing about 1% a day sitting on a shelf. They’ll still be useful after a year instead of needing a recharge after a couple months. This makes them useful for things that you don’t use everyday, like cameras. The Precharged Duracells came from different manufacturers, distinguished by the color of the the ring between the positive contact and the shrinkwrap. If it was white and they were made in Japan, they were remarked eneloops. If they were from China and had black rings, they were something else. I don’t know if that’s still true for the Staychargeds. Since there’s no pictures of the tops or claims of where they’re made, there’s no guarantee. The made in China ones aren’t bad – they’re just not the gold-standard eneloops.
I have read from blogs the white topped Duracells are manufactured by sanyo. The black top are Chinese. Opening picture is cut pretty close but I’m guessing black top on these.
I have some of the Duracell rechargeable AA’s, but I don’t think they’re the Stay Charged. Love my Eneloops, but I’m in need of more AAAs for my remotes, so I think I’ll give these a shot
[QUOTE=sayya, post:15, topic:362140]
No these are not comparable to Eneloops. These are high drain while the Eneloops are low drain. Get the low drain (Duracell calls them “pre-charged”) as they hold a charge much longer.
[/quote]
I had never even heard of Eneloops prior to now. I also had no clue that regular NiMH batteries lose 20 percent of their charge in only one day and then 1 to 4 percent each day thereafter. That is why I can’t charge them, then put them up until I need to use them, and why they’re always dead. I’ll be damned…
Yup. This has been discussed just about every time rechargeable batteries have come up on woot! The problem you experienced is why rechargeable batteries have a bad name, but times and technology has changed, and ‘hybrid’ types like these last a long time dormant, can be used in low power devices like remote controls, computer mice, etc without worry of them being dead when you go to use them.
I highly recommend a LaCrosse charger or similar smart charger if you decide to go to rechargeable. They allow charging at different speeds and will help your batteries last longer by preventing them from being overcharged or overheating.
There is no excuse at this point for every family to switch to rechargeable, you will save a lot of money in the long run.
And I agree with the rest here, Eneloops are the cream of the crop. Worth every penny for high drain devices.
[QUOTE=haslipe, post:21, topic:362140]
From what I see, it looks like they changed the name of the Pre-Charged batteries to these Stay-Charged batteries. These are not the typical NIMH batteries. They state that they hold a charge for 5x longer than a typical rechargeable battery.
But I believe that you can get 12 AAA Eneloops, or 10 AA at Costco for $20 + tax. You can save a bit here if you are ordering more than one set though. I have been using some Made in Japan Duracell Pre-Charged batteries for a while now, and I love them. But I guess at one time, the Duracells were just rebranded Eneloops.
[/quote]
Pre-charged are still being made and they are the low drain types. These are the high drain batteries and they are different. If your pre-charged duracells have white tops then they are rebranded eneloops and were made in Japan. If they have black tops then they are not eneloops and they were made in China.
I’m surprised this hasn’t been mentioned yet, but if these have the white rim like those pictured then these are almost certainly manufactured by Sanyo in Japan and are identical to eneloops. Duracell also sells some that have a black rim that are made in China that are not as good.
Can anyone from woot let us know if the ones that are selling are made in Japan? Great deal if so. But only a marginally good deal if not.
These are “pre-charged”, so yes, they are similar to Eneloop. A standard NiMN cannot be pre-charged as it will lose its charge in about 3 months. So, these would be okay in remote controls, etc. as they will hold some charge for a year or more.
I demand to know which of the Woot! writing staff decided to write that about Philadelphia. I’m a Philadelphia native and I can honestly say that is the most accurate description I have ever read. Clearly, he or she must have come from here.
From the city that boo’ed Santa Clause, merry cheesesteaks to all.
The description was actually referring to these being good for high drain devices…These are indeed the same type of hybrid low self discharge batteries as the eneloop… and the pictures clearly show a white and not a black top…