Peter wrote

It's not a heresy, just overstated. It's well-known that NiMH cells
suffer from much more self-discharge than alkaline

That's why I have switched back to the RAYOVAC Rechargeable Alkaline
(used to be called "Renewable Alkaline")for my seldom used applications
such as my YAESU Aviator Pro II. Yes, they make an optional back that
will hold six of any AA cells. These cells have a shelf-life like any
other Alkaline, but provided that they are not discharged too far, I
have recharged some of them probably a hundred times. Kinda hard to find
but I tracked them down in Walgreen Drug Stores.

Bob Moore