AA battery life

[myredracer]

Just a bit of a rant. 😞

I have an SLR camera that I use a lot, mostly for documenting restoration of 2 cars I've been working on for a while. I use ordinary AA batteries and not rechargeable ones and normally get a month or two out of them, and I use the flash often.

Put new "super heavy duty" ones in the other day. Lasted about a week for just a few pics. What the heck. I tested the old batteries with a voltmeter first before tossing them to see if one or all needed replacing and also checked the new ones which showed they were good.

Then I looked at the package. A little hard to read maybe, but it says "ideal for low drain devices". Huh?

I know there's no need to pay for overpriced Duracell or Energizer as they're pretty much all built the same way. But a week out of something labeled "super heavy duty" ain't very good.

[Tom_M1]

Harbor Freight has 24 pack of AA or AAA alkaline batteries for $4.99 with coupon valid through Apr 30. I have never purchased any so don't know if they are any good. Customer reviews are 4.6 out of 5.

[fj12ryder]

RobWNY wrote:
I've always had excellent life from the Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries in my electronics. Pricey but worth it.

I have to agree, we got great life out of those batteries. No comparison between them and any other batteries.

[fitznj]

What's that expression:

"The cheap man pays the most"

There's a reason why Duracell/Energizer cost more.

[Happytraveler]

Whatever you do don't buy razor blades at the 99 Cent Store, they're lethal. LOL

[shum02]

OkieGene wrote:
If you are near a Costco go buy their jumbo pack of Kirkland batteries.

Made by Duracell.

The go to batteries for high drain devices are Duracell and Energizer, you get what you pay for.

[2oldman]

myredracer wrote:
I just have to laugh at the "super heavy duty" labeling and then "ideal for low drain devices" in small print in the corner both on the front of the package. :R

That is creative.

[myredracer]

DW loves to shop in dollar stores. Worse, she's an accountant and cheap is always best. 😞 I'm sure that's where she would've got them.

I just have to laugh at the "super heavy duty" labeling and then "ideal for low drain devices" in small print in the corner, both on the front of the package. :R

I saw a comparison of alkaline batteries (consumer reports?) a few years ago that concluded there was little difference between most brands & prices so spending more $$ doesn't necessarily mean longer life.

I'll check out lithium ones.

[RobWNY]

I've always had excellent life from the Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries in my electronics. Pricey but worth it.

[schlep1967]

Just once. Spend the money for the Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries. Once you see how much longer they last, you will realize they are cheaper than a dozen cheap batteries.

[OkieGene]

If you are near a Costco go buy their jumbo pack of Kirkland batteries.

[shastagary]

those sunbeam batteries are carbon-zink not alkiline that i am sure the camera maker recommends as a minimum. they sell those sunbeam batteries for $1.00 at the dollar stores like it says there for low draw devices. as a note i have had bad luck with duracell batteries leaking in many devices haven't had that problem with other brands so now i make sure i remove them from any device that will not be used regularly.

[ford_truck_guy]

You GOT what YOU paid for... JUNK

[Krusty]

Good marketing plan though

[2oldman]

Never heard of Sunbeam batteries. Were they cheaper?