NiMH:s, 2500 mAh vs 2700 mAh? chargers, brands?

As many here, I use the Eneloops, since they are considered to be most reliable. When it comes to the decision whether slightly higher capacity (2.45 Ah; black one Pros) vs. regular ones (1.9 Ah; white), my personal impression was, that after some usage time, the black ones failed more frequently compared to the white ones, when recharged (charger indicates that accu is not good any more). This is substantiated by the manufacturers specifications that the black ones are good for 500 cycles, while the white ones are good for 2100 cycles. I find the failure of accus unpleasant, especially when on a longer trip (but I always have spares with me).

As I use them, a Z330 (or YS-D2) stuffed with fresh white Eneloops is good for 3 dives (=normally the entire day). I do not really need the higher capacity of the black ones. Therefore I have changed most of my accus to regular white Eneloops...

Wolfgang

Thank you all for the feedback, that is exactly what I've been looking for

So these are definitely made in Japan (no Chinese crap). As for Maha/Powerex these are the same batteries as far as I know, Maha/Powerex just rebrands them. I think Fujitsu/FDK also sells these as their own.

I've googled all teh candleligh/budget forums..the tests I've quoted are done by the most famous guy there, HKJ, with the most recent test being from 2017:

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/test-review-of-panasonic-aa-bk-3hgae-2700mah-white.429303/

Regarding LSD (low self discharge), that's the one thing i am unsure...there is no definitve yes, nor definitive no, though i am leaning towards the later, as there is no mention like on eneloops (i.e. "85% capacity etc after a year etc)".

As for tech, it seems that actually the 2700 model could have been more advanced in some regards, with Panasonic site quoting that more or less now eneloops are alos now using the "advanced structure" as 2700 did. The one similar thing with Eneloop Pro is that both advertise "min. capacity 2500 mAh".

But ChrisRoss hit nail on teh head - I have the LF1300-EWf torch, which states only 45 min on full with Eneloops Pro...hence my whole idea was to see how can i extend that. Not bothered about strobes, my 6-7 year old Enelopps standard last whole day with no issues
As for LSD, i think I could live without it, ie I would charge all batteries minimum 24h before the dive anyways, and not use battery sitting there for months. Only thing i can think off is that they will degrade much faster than Eneloop because of the discharge.
Well, i think i will do a mix - order new Eneloop for strobes but the BK-3HGAE for the focus light and see how that fares (ie.. if i get more than 45 mins )

Btw Inon has responded very quickly - official stance is they have never tested the BK-3HGAE 2700mAh batteries.

7 minutes ago, makar0n said:

Thank you all for the feedback, that is exactly what I've been looking for

So these are definitely made in Japan (no Chinese crap). As for Maha/Powerex these are the same batteries as far as I know, Maha/Powerex just rebrands them. I think Fujitsu/FDK also sells these as their own.

I've googled all teh candleligh/budget forums..the tests I've quoted are done by the most famous guy there, HKJ, with the most recent test being from 2017:

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/test-review-of-panasonic-aa-bk-3hgae-2700mah-white.429303/

 

Regarding LSD (low self discharge), that's the one thing i am unsure...there is no definitve yes, nor definitive no, though i am leaning towards the later, as there is no mention like on eneloops (i.e. "85% capacity etc after a year etc)".

As for tech, it seems that actually the 2700 model could have been more advanced in some regards, with Panasonic site quoting that more or less now eneloops are alos now using the "advanced structure" as 2700 did. The one similar thing with Eneloop Pro is that both advertise "min. capacity 2500 mAh".

But ChrisRoss hit nail on teh head - I have the LF1300-EWf torch, which states only 45 min on full with Eneloops Pro...hence my whole idea was to see how can i extend that. Not bothered about strobes, my 6-7 year old Enelopps standard last whole day with no issues
As for LSD, i think I could live without it, ie I would charge all batteries minimum 24h before the dive anyways, and not use battery sitting there for months. Only thing i can think off is that they will degrade much faster than Eneloop because of the discharge.
Well, i think i will do a mix - order new Eneloop for strobes but the BK-3HGAE for the focus light and see how that fares (ie.. if i get more than 45 mins )

Btw Inon has responded very quickly - official stance is they have never tested the BK-3HGAE 2700mAh batteries.

Use your focus light on low power, I'm quite sure it'll be bright enough and give you a lot longer burn time.  The figures quote 45 min with Eneloop pro and 35 min with eneloop.  You might get 4-5 minutes longer than eneloop Pro if you really got 2700 mAhr but indications are you probably only get a little over 2500 so hardly seems worth it, the real benefit is with using low power which gives 165 minutes on Standard eneloop.

Well 4-5 minutes would already be worth it, not expecting miracles

Anyways, going back to DE soon (never buy anything in BE...prices here are silly), so will get both Eneloops and 2700 and do some tests in the best diving spot ever, the bathtub reef.

10 hours ago, makar0n said:

Well 4-5 minutes would already be worth it, not expecting miracles

Anyways, going back to DE soon (never buy anything in BE...prices here are silly), so will get both Eneloops and 2700 and do some tests in the best diving spot ever, the bathtub reef.

Note that I said MIGHT, that is assuming you actually get 2700 mA-hr, the reports seem to indicate that you don't get much over 2500 mA-hr.