I have this and I think and it's great. It charges quickly and has a feature to refresh batteries, which drains them before charging to prevent memory.

NiMH don't have memory effect #1, the only time you would ever want to drain before charging is if the batteries had sat unused for several weeks at a time, then in doing so you will get a fuller recharge without having to wait for it to top-off trickle charging after a rapid charge rate terminates.

Otherwise, regularly "refreshing" a cell just reduces it's lifetime, though since batteries are cheap some will consider it a fair tradeoff just to ensure max charge when it's needed.

Even so, today there are arguably better options like Low Self Discharge, Sanyo Eneloops and they seem to degrade less over time, have longer lifespans. I doubt I'll ever buy any non LSD NiMH again.

That no memory is what manufacterers tell us and want us to believe. The truth is if the batteries are fully discharged every time before charging they will perform considerably better after a few cycles of full charging/discharging. It doesn't reduce battery lifetime, it's just the opposite, it extends it. If you don't belive me just try it for yourself. Rechargable batteries like to be used. The worst thing you can do with them is not use them enough, that's what will kill them fast.

There is a root kit in these batteries that will self install itself onto any device you use them in!!!!

#2 dave_c,

-- What is LSD NiMH? What is the LSD ingredient you speak of?

#3 samijubal,

>> Rechargable batteries like to be used. The worst thing you can do with them is not use them enough, that's what will kill them fast.

-- Yeah. I've heard and read that in general. Just like laptop batteries. You gotta use 'em as far as you can before recharging and then recharge them.
-- So in other words, take advantage of the dang things being that all rechargeables last a considerable amt of time.
-- I just got 10 hours out of a couple of PowerEx 2700NiMH AA batteries in my Cassiopeia A-20 HPC Handheld PC, the other day. That's a new record for this high-drain device.

lots of disinformation in this thread..

Nice charger. Toss those Sony batteries & load up on some Eneloops.

I have these. It takes around 15 minutes to charge the batteries. And then you gotta wait another 15 for them to cool down.

Spend an extra $20 and get a La Crosse or Maha - much better chargers.

Great advice from long ago, get a LaCrosse charger and Eneloop batteries from Ama zon.

I switched to all Eneloop NiMh batteries and I've never had to throw one away because it wouldn't charge right.

I use the Eneloop AAs in my flash and they put out an amazing number of flashes, never had to switch to a second set of batteries.

The Sonys above may be OK, I don't know, but for sure the Eneloops are the best I've ever had and on the LaCrosse charger you can see a three digit display of how discharged they are and switches to Full when done.

I like eneloops too.

I think the eneloop with charger and adaptor package at costco is cheaper per battery than this.
I figure regular nimh to be worth MAYBE 1.50 each. If you are generous and say $5 for the charger, that makes this package worth $11, not 22.

years ago I bought 10xAA lenmar 2000 mah nimhs for $10 at frys.
now I only buy the eneloop or other LSD ones if they were cheap enough

Must be paying a premium for the "Super-Quick" feature.

FWIW:
http://www.greenbatteries.com/nibafa.html#NiCd%20vs%20NiMH

Fast charge = bad for batteries. Carry a second set..

Batteryuniversity.com has some interesting information on battery chemistries, although the site is fairly dated so I'm not sure if what on there applies to new chemistries (for example, there's no mention of the LSD MH battery types).

I have a LaCrosse charger and use only Eneloops. Those batteries are amazing; they last forever. The charger is a smart charger in that it can individually charge/condition each cell (the only way to safely charge and prolong your batteries), and gives you tons of information about your batteries.