Registered: Nov 1999
Location: ann arbor, mi
Posts: 23

Hi. I use NIMhs like many of you all. I have found that my radioshack 550 mA batteries last 10 hours or so before i have to replace them- I usually notice system slowdown.

My aim is to get stats on the various AAA NIMHs so that future buyers will know which one is best. I wish I knew this awhile back. Of course everybody uses their visor differently.

Ideally I would like 10 poeple for each brand (nexcell, radioshack, energizer...?) of NIMH to voulnteer and provide me with accurate runtimes.

I need to know if you use afterburner which may decrease battery life. (I do) I will tabulate the stats differently with and without afterburner. I will assume that we all hotsync or use back ligght about the same or that it will be averaged out with many numbers.

To do this we need a uniform system. I would like you to change batteries when your system slows down considerably or when you hit the 2.26-2.30 volt range.

Thank you.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 36

I would like to help out if I could. I am entirely new to the NiMH battery scene having used exclusively alkalines for my Palm Professional and now GVDx. I had the luxury of going to Hong Kong recently and went on a NiMH battery buying frenzy. I now have:

Sanyo 700 mAh- my favorite so far
Sanyo 650 mAh- bought it just to compare
Sony 700 (Min 650 mAh)- Boy were they expensive...
Panasonic 600 mAh- for comparison again
Gold Peak 550 mAh- super cheap, so why not

I have just started to use them and I think one of the better programs to monitor the battery usage is probably Uptime, which can be found on Pilotgear.com here:
http://www.palmgear.com/software/sh...amp;prodID=1306

Uptime not only tells you the battery usage time, but also breaks down the time usage of backlight. It also let you set the battery type (not important really for performance or battery life, only for making sure your low battery alarm turns on properly at the right voltage).

I will try to post the experiences I have with these brands. Unfortunately, I am not sure if they are very available in North America

[This message has been edited by Gretz99 (edited 01-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Gretz99 (edited 01-15-2000).]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 97

I'm using Gold Peak NiMH's rated at 550mAh.
I'll report back to you with and without Afterburner.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 34

Never mind. Didn't read the whole message.

[This message has been edited by Ratbertio (edited 01-17-2000).]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Provo, UT
Posts: 64

Energizer ACCU 650 mAh batteries. Two changes so far, 15-16 hours. Not using Afterburner.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA
Posts: 126

Energizer ACCU 650's

5 cycles so far.
11 hr Minimum
16 hr Maximum
as measured by "Runtime"

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Bronx, NY
Posts: 12

***
I have just started to use them and I think one of the better programs to monitor the battery usage is probably Uptime, which can be found on Pilotgear.com here:
****



I agree, I like uptime BUT -- it doesn't agree with Runtime for the on-time of the PDA. If you are running Runtime, gretz, do the two programs match? In mine, Uptime lists about 10% more than Runtime.