Don't buy cheap batteries XLT

[Rick in Pa]

my brother in law went to the shore two weeks ago for vacation and took his XLT. His first day there his detector started to act up and was unusable. He said he used new batteries, and even changed them out. Here he got a good deal on Dollar Store batteries and was using them, not thinking much about it. I had him replace the cheap ones with Duracells this week and now he feels like an idiot. He was even going to buy a new detector. It doesn't pay to use cheap batteries in electronics. With 20 plus years experience under his belt, I demoted him back to amateur status.

 

[GoGoGopher]

Some have to learn the hard way...It is Alkalines, Lithium, or great quality rechargeables ONLY!!!

HH,

 

[widebody]

[size=large]will he ever be returned to his former ranking?

HH[/size]

 

[Fishers Ghost]

Yeah the cheap Chinese batteries are like their tubes of Super Glue........Nothing inside them

 

[Rick in Pa]

that might take some time.

 

[Monte]

Usually, I do not use inexpensive batteries, and I try not to use a standard or even a Heavy-Duty labeled battery. That said, I have gone to the local Dollar Tree and bought some AA Heavy Duty when I needed to, and on once or twice I have bought their Alkaline battery, too. That was when I forgot to bring along by detector accessory/emergency parts box or when I was hunting (riding) with someone else.

Did they work? Yes, but only the alkaline batteries gave me half-decent life. They were 2-to-a-pack for $1 so it cost me $4 to fill up my XLT or XL Pro or IDX Pro, which ever I needed to get up and running at the time. The Heavy-Duty batteries didn't last as long, and at 4-for-a-$1 it still cost me $2 to fill the 8-AA battery tray.

As a rule, I shop for my battery supply at Costoc and buy their Kirkland house-brand. They were $10.89 for a 48 pack last year so it averaged $1.81 to fill the 8-AA battery tray. At Costco a few days ago I notice they were $11-something for a 48 pack now. Still, even if it was $12 that would only be $2 to fill up with 8-AA great quality batteries.

Usually my Mom, on a tight 85 year old SS budget, usually buys me batteries for Christmas and 48 will last me about a year. (Detectors, flashlights, and 2-way radios on remote detecting trips.) Last year I had to get some office supplies at Lowes and as I walked in they had a great loss-leader display of their offshore AA alkaline batteries. Two 24 packs (48 AA alkalines) for only $6 !! They are called Utilitech, I believe, and they are Made in China, but the price was just right to help my Mom out.

I was almost out of my Kirklands, still having some on hand because the fall off the ladder last year cut some of my detecting short, I used them up and went to the Utilitech alkalines. Are they as long-lasting as the Duracell or Kirkland batteries? Well, maybe not. I'm not positive but I do know that I have been getting very good use-life out of them. As long or longer than the alkaline batteries White's supplied in their new model battery packs. And, at $6 for 48 of the, that 8-AA battery tray is filled with alkaline batteries for only $1! Well worth the cost to me.

It pays to shop for good quality batteries. My Kirkland usually last as long or longer than the Energizers, and definitely longer than Ray-O-Vac's. Have you used the Kirkland batteries? Did you know they are made here in the USA? Do you prefer Duracell batteries, made by Proctor & Gamble (I believe)? I do ... and that's why I like the Kirkland because the same folks make those in packaging for Costco.

The cheaper, inexpensive, regular or heavy duty batteries will make the XLT work fine, for a while, if they are fresh batteries. They just won't last as long as a much better quality battery. I like to shop ahead and be prepared. In 47 years I have only been put in a pinch a few times when not prepared with good batteries on-hand. Tell your buddy to shop for quality batteries, then keep some back-ups on-hand at all times.

Monte

 

[ronaldj2]

I've been there done that, I think tubes of super glue would have worked better The cheap batteries I bought had the same outer skin coloring as duracells (buyers beware). Aint nothing like the real thing!!

 

[triplehooked]

Monte, if it has been a while since you bought Kirkland batteries be careful. I've been reading recent reviews of them getting bad batches Cosco. They have been leaking and many are complaining of ruined electronics from the acid. Just an FYI.... I always try to buy American but not if it is going to ruin my Japanese camera..... yet alone my Whites detector...

 

[5900_XL-1]

my brother in law went to the shore two weeks ago for vacation and took his XLT. His first day there his detector started to act up and was unusable. He said he used new batteries, and even changed them out. Here he got a good deal on Dollar Store batteries and was using them, not thinking much about it. I had him replace the cheap ones with Duracells this week and now he feels like an idiot. He was even going to buy a new detector. It doesn't pay to use cheap batteries in electronics. With 20 plus years experience under his belt, I demoted him back to amateur status.

As hard as it may be to believe,,,the Dollar Store really has good batteries, at least has always had good batts, once a friend referred me to the Dollar Store for batteries. I might give them a second chance if it was me, and as far as American made stuff...well...until there is a certificate on the item, I'm figuring them to be from China or most likely Mexico anyway. jm2c. martin

 

[5900_XL-1]

my brother in law went to the shore two weeks ago for vacation and took his XLT. His first day there his detector started to act up and was unusable. He said he used new batteries, and even changed them out. Here he got a good deal on Dollar Store batteries and was using them, not thinking much about it. I had him replace the cheap ones with Duracells this week and now he feels like an idiot. He was even going to buy a new detector. It doesn't pay to use cheap batteries in electronics. With 20 plus years experience under his belt, I demoted him back to amateur status.

As hard as it may be to believe,,,the Dollar Store really has good batteries, at least has always had good batts for cheap. A friend referred me to the Dollar Store for batteries once, and I had good luck with them. I might give them a second chance if it was me, and as far as American made stuff...well...until there is a certificate on the item, I'm figuring them to be from China or most likely Mexico anyway. jm2c. martin

 

[triplehooked]

I'm going to give those Utilitech batteries at Lowe's a shot, at least until I can pick up a charger pack for the XLT. $20 for 100 batteries vs $10 for 20 duracells..... Let's see... if I were to get even half of the life of a duracell I'd be ahead! I've read decent reviews about these. Probably not very eco friendly though.....

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

I use cheapos super heavy duties 48 for $ 3 something and run my
MXT with those good for up to 15 hours.
Save the used batteries and send them to a recycling depot.

 

[Monte]

so far, been fine. I hope to have a set-up this winter to do some multi-battery brand comparisons in a few detectors, running full-time, and 'sweeping" over ground and targets. I am also going to start watching Lowes at the holiday season arrives in case they have another super good offering. That $6 for 48 alkalines has been serving me just fine so far all year, and I am still not out of the initial 48 batteries.

Monte

 

[Monte]

Monte, if it has been a while since you bought Kirkland batteries be careful. I've been reading recent reviews of them getting bad batches Cosco. They have been leaking and many are complaining of ruined electronics from the acid.

I have a plastic accessory tote I keep in the vehicle years round. Summer heat or colder days of winter, and I have all my spare hear ... including batteries ... in that kit.

I also have 6 of the AA's in my two GMRS radios in the van door accessory compartment, 2 in one flashlight there and 1 in another flashlight on my equipment gear belt. There are 2 in my shaver in the door tray, 8 in my Classic II and 8 in my XLT and the detectors are always on the back seat, day-and-night, hot, cold, or in-between. Several in-house flashlights and other equipment also keep the AA batteries installed and ready-to-go, too.

Over the past twenty years I have had terrible use-life from Ray-o-Vac batteries, and some cheap dollar-store standard or heavy-duty batteries, as well as from some that some detector manufacturers have supplied. I have also had some leakage issues but most have been from off-brand, inexpensive batteries. I all this time I have had one problem with 2 Energized batteries and I think 2 Duracell batteries and 1 Kirkland battery that was either a dead short or a leaker.

I run batteries until they are DEAD, or close to, then swap them out. I've never felt the Costco Kirkland batteries to be inferior in performance or faulty. maybe I have just been lucky, but I do know some 'reports' I read from time-to-time are about as believable as the "regularly hit on 14" deep dimes" types of posts I also have read on the forums. Still, I will stay on top of how I do with the next batch of them I get.

Thanks,

Monte

 

[BarberBill]

I'm surprised at Monte's comment on Ray O Vacs. Over the last 5 years or so I've used a lot of them, both 9 volt and AAs with excellent life and results. I am talking about the top of the line Ray O Vac alkalines, not heavy duties or standards.
BB

 

[Spursky]

Oh My!!!!!!! All I have to say is--- you get what you pay for!!!!!!! Top grade batteries may cost more but I can sleep @ night not worrying about battery leakage!!! In other words don't be cheap, the electronics aren't!!!

 

[bula]

I bought some rechargeable batteries from the dollar store, I have 16 & two chargers. They are now two years old & still working great, I get about 40 hours per set with my MXT. I can't complain they have served me well & greatly reduced my cost to play.

 

[pastfinder1]

I have had a DFX for 8 years now and have used Alkaline batteries from Aldi's. They are $2.12 for an 8 pack and I get good performance from them. Always get alkalines not heavy duty or standard.

 

[JimCVA]

I buy my batteries at Sam's Club the member "s Mark batteries they are Alkaline and work very well and they last a long time and will save you money JimCVA

 

[tomcatpl]

http://www.metaefficient.com/rechargeable-batteries/best-rechargeable-batteries-battery-chargers.html


link to best recharables batteries of 2011