[sidroski]

Who makes the best batteries for flashlights (not CR123) radios and such? Duracell, Energizers? Are the high dollar titaniums (think that's what they're made out of) worth the extra bucks?
I have a wind up flash light with one of those wafer batteries, a wind up radio and a big light that will charge devices like cell phones (they did work during Katrina) but I let the batteries go bad and will replace them. Anyone with experience with wind up rechargeable batteries, how many cycles can you get out of one? Buying a couple of extra ones, what is the shelf life. (I know I can get the info from the battery makers but their estimates are best case, I'm looking for real world).
I know battery junction but where are some other retailers?

 

[1985 4runner]

Our three year old has a bunch of battery powered toys & games. The standard Duracell AA & AAA "Coppertops" have ruined more than one toy in my house due to leaking.
I have had good results with the Duracell rechargables though. Hold a charge well & don't leak. Just replaced a 4 set in a toy night light that must have been recharged a hundred times or more easy.

My big-boy toys all use CR-123s, usually Lithium, but not always.

I use Lithium batteries in my camera no problems, long life, never leak.

 

[Methos]

One note I have seen with regard to rechargables.

I've seen some electronic thingys that don't tolerate them very well. For instance a friend of mine has one of the dakota alert driveway monitors and the electronics will not agree with rechargeable batteries - even the highest quality ones out there (AA). The thing would go off in the middle of the night and get eveyone up and adrenalized and there would be nothing. Even with a fresh set. Found out it was due to the use of rechargeable batts. When using alkalines everything works fine.

I assume its something to do with the sensor electronics' sensitivity and voltage fluctuations that sets it off.

...but for other stuff rechargeables seem to work well; especially when you can charge them for free off the nearest star.

 

[pinetor]

I cant find the site now, but three years ago I found a site that was about digital cameras. These devices can drain a battery like noting else. So he ended up doing a huge page just on battery testing. In the end the winner (for value) was PowerX and MAHA.
http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/Index.asp

I am on my second charger after a leaking battery messed up the first one. But they sent me the new one free. Currently I use a lot of Energizer re-charables in it, but only because my wife bought them. The charger C204F does NOT trickle charge, instead once the batteries are fully charged it does an "intermittent charge" to keep them topped off. Much easier on the battery.
Rechargables do not hold like standard ones, but they can be topped off or charged pretty quick. I have been using the same sets for three years.

 

[PC]

I used a portable CD player at work a few years ago. I would go through 4 batteries in two days. The cheap Panasonic batteries would last just as long or longer than the high-dollar battery.

The worst is Rayovac.

 

[Methos]

In the end the winner (for value) was PowerX and MAHA.
http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/Index.asp

+1 on the maha. I have a 8AA charger of theirs and it works great. They are a bit pricey though.