Jim,

I use some 2200mh NiMH AAs with a MAHA brand charger. I paid about $60 for
the charger and about $3 per battery. They do discharge about 1% per day on
the shelf but with the charger I can keep 4 of them "trickle charged"
and ready. I use them in everything and actually have 12 batteries. I
have just started using them in my new Garmin 295 (used). The previous
owner got 2.5 - 4 hours on a set of AAs. I have used my NiMH AAs for 5.5
in one day and not come close to them being dead. If you use many AAs I
would recommend looking at good rechargable AAs (not the ones you buy at
Wal-Mart).


Trip



In article , says...

Pretty close to right.

Early nicads had a terrible memory problem. Today's nicad chemistry has gone a
long way towards solving the problem, but has not completely eliminated it. The
main problem with nicads today is shelf life due to self discharge and the nasty
chemistry when they go to the landfill.

Alkalines (including rechargeable alkalines) have what is called "five year
chemistry". That is, they can sit on the shelf for five years and still give
rated output when put into service.

NiMH are the poor shelf life that you were probably thinking of. Excellent
power/weight/size ratio, but very poor in the self discharge arena.

Li-ion is probably the best mix of all, but expensive.

Jim



(Dave Burton)
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:


-
-Exactly wrong. NiCads don't have a memory problem and alkalines self
-discharge like crazy. I'd be happy to supply the research data proof
-on the NiCads and if you want to lose the self discharge problems go
-with a lithium battery pack. I'd just stick with fresh alkalines for
-a couple of bucks, and do.

Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com