Best AA batteries for video cam

[Thatchman]

One for the gadget gurus

I got one of these Drift video cameras from action cameras. It came with two lithium AA bateries which lasted through many hours of recording over a weekend.

I decided to put fresh batteries in ahead of the trip to Numbi so that they would not die on me on the way. I bought a bunch of Duracels thinking they good. one set barely lasted an hour of recording. The next did the same. These were alkaline batteries.

Looked for rechargeable lithiums today and did not find any.

So........what are the best rechargeable batteries for power sucking devices like this

[ZULU1]

I think that I am qualified to answer this, I spent hours researching batteries for longevity versus price and availability. If you want to use Alkaline I found in order of performance:

Alkaline
1/ Hi Watts, these have a green housing are available from Electrocomp as well as many other outlets, I found up to 20 % better than Duracell/ Energizer. Never seen performance like this in a Alkaline chemistry. The units I tested were consistently 1,6 volts with a load.

2/ Energizer Alkalines

3/ Duracell

Li Ions
Its a close run thing between

Energizer Blues and "Power Plus" from Electrocomp. These have now been withdrawn from sale due to a clash of Ever Ready trade marks...so its Energizer blues and they are also half the weight of Alkaline. I think they are importing another Li Ion brand now though. Give them a call.

http://www.electrocomp.co.za/

Plus they are cheaper...these are primary batteries remember and cannot be recharged, this is why the units that came with the device lasted so well...

Paul

[Thatchman]

Tks Paul. So if I understand you are saying that lithiums such as Energizer last longer but are not rechargable. They are also much more expensive.

So is it better to have a bunch of rechargables and replace more often or buy Lithiums? - still not sure

Do rechargeable batteries retain the charge when they are not being used?

Tks
Reilly

[ZULU1]

Reilly, rechargeable batteries are good for high draw power at short intervals, camera flash and so on. Ni Mh and Ni Cad chemistry loses 1 % per day and need correct charging. There are several new tech chemistry types on the market that dont lose the daily !% but I have not witnessed it. Li Ions are as you have observed are available in recharge and primary. Primary batteries are designed for long storage and high current drain with good life. Thats probably what was supplied ex works for your toy. In this application your best route is primary Li Ions with energizer blues available in Pick and Pay. If you want a few cases I can organize a generic which is as good...half price.
But this technology as with Leds changes daily so we are witnessing.

Hope this helps.
Paul