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How long are getting on a set of batteries on Racer 2 ?
- Thread starter GlenOK
- Start date
Stoof-tabsallday
Well-known member
I actually want to test this this year.
Last year my racer 2 pro pack came with the rechargeables and I just recharged between every hunt, but I am curious how long on a set of alkalines.
Maybe it'll make me feel better about investing in so many rechargeables lol.
But 30 hours sounds like a great length of time!!!
Last year my racer 2 pro pack came with the rechargeables and I just recharged between every hunt, but I am curious how long on a set of alkalines.
Maybe it'll make me feel better about investing in so many rechargeables lol.
But 30 hours sounds like a great length of time!!!
Stoof-tabsallday
Well-known member
I don't want to take over the thread but I started one on batteries in this forumDaniel said:
I tried them all lol. Yes eneloop pros win for capacity but the white little brother wins for holding charge the longest. Go check out the thread.
I tested eneloops, Energizer Duracell (great capacity too) and EBL 2800 (yes they really hold that plus some. Some cells break 3000mah), Amazon, Amazon HC, rayovac (also good capacity).
But my findings, and this is a personal choice, is the non pro (they come in many colors) eneloops win overall. Yes mine in average only hold 2000-2100 mAh but TIF you let them sit for a month they still have 90% of their charge. All the HC versions, including eneloop pro lose it faster from sitting. I will say as far as high capacity eneloop pros are the best in that category. They hold more charge after time but still lose it faster than the regular eneloops.
Another reason I concluded eneloop regulars win is the price. You can get 8 for $15-17 and because they aren't so dense as far as capacity they are rated at 1900 charges as opposed to the HC which are more like 500. And that's the eneloop pro. I doubt some of the others will last that many.
Another thing, and this test is still ongoing and will take time, is that that high capacity dont keep that capacity over a number of charges.
I have one set of regular eneloops that I'm on charge 500 and they still hold the same capacity. Only lost between 20-100 mAh over the set of 4 I'm testing.
The pros are at about 300 charges/discharges and they've lost between 300-400 mAh and the 2 that los 400 are now holding the same as the regular eneloops after 500 charges/discharges.
Now, if you're a photographer or need the batteries to last longer in a work setting, or need them for very high drain things like flashes I understand the HC batteries especially the eneloops pros. They definitely kick butt compared to the regular eneloops.
But my conclusion for metal detecting, what I found is for less cost and more total charges I'll go with the regular eneloops 2000 mAh (main ones are white but again come in many colors) work best.
I have yet to kill a set, or even come close on a day outing and I just throw them in the charger and they're full again for next time. My backup set gets a top off every once and a while, or I rotate them each hunt.
I have not tested the powerex, but have heard great things. I have so many cells now that I couldn't justify the extra cost premium of the powerex batteries.
Units used for charge discharge cycling:
Lacrosse bc-700 and bc-1000
Also used the newest Panasonic charger during testing to help charging them and my batteries I actually use lol.
I don't mean to say that you're wrong, the eneloop pros are the best you can get in my opinion for HC cells.
But for cost and my use, the eneloop whites work perfectly and their performance stays the same.
If you want to talk more, I have a thread entitled my thoughts on batteries. I think it's in the makro forum....
P.S. the added bonus for the regulars is on Amazon you can get one of two combos...
8AA and 4AAA plus the newest fast smart charger for ~$30-35 it fluctuates
Or
10aa and 4AAA plus the older something 17 advanced charger which is slower but also safer for the cells for longevity for the same price.
Edit:
It's in the nokta forum. I put more information into this post then that one, but that's where it is.
Going to repost it there.
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?100,2348733
to include the popular performers from Duracell and Eveready, plus the Costco Kirkland [size=small](made by the Duracell folks)[/size], and some unknown makers who have them wrapped up for people, like the Utilitecs for Lowe's [size=small](OK but the least exciting of all I have compared)[/size], some Western Family alkaline AA packs I bought at Logan's Market grocery store here in little old Vale, Oregon, and the Jobsmart labeled alkalines I bought on sale at Tractor Supply in Ontario, Oregon at Christmas time.
That last sale price purchase in early January brought a lot of my alkaline batteries down to 18.[size=small]75[/size]¢ each, and since the Nokta Impact, FORS Relic, FORS CoRe and Racer series only use 4-AA batteries, I can power any of them for 75¢ thus I am not too concerned about charging up and using rechargeable batteries that often give me a shorter operating time than alkaline batteries.
Also, Tom seemed to use the DEEP mode and push for higher Gain settings whenever possible, and that can also shorten the battery run-time a little. I am not sure what Backlight level he used, but higher settings and Constant 'On' can also do a little battery draining. With my initial set of batteries I didn't monitor them really close, but a lot of testing was in foul weather and was done indoors to get familiar with all modes and adjustment features, and were at intervals with the Impact being On for 1 to 2½ hour sessions. My close estimate was just short of 20 hours.
When operating the Impact for longer stretches, but again losing track of On-time, I was getting about 12+ hours. As of last Friday, I am logging every minute the Impact is turned on and operating so I'll have a more accurate battery run time and not be guessing, even if those guesses were fairly close. I've used some White's models, notably their current VX3 and V3i, where 8-AA alkaline batteries gave me less operating time than the Impact, and that's costing twice as much.
Monte
That last sale price purchase in early January brought a lot of my alkaline batteries down to 18.[size=small]75[/size]¢ each, and since the Nokta Impact, FORS Relic, FORS CoRe and Racer series only use 4-AA batteries, I can power any of them for 75¢ thus I am not too concerned about charging up and using rechargeable batteries that often give me a shorter operating time than alkaline batteries.
Well, there have been a few reports about battery length with the Nokta Impact, but most have been found on the Tom D. Forums, and it seems like most have been by Tom himself because only evaluators/testers have had a pre-production Impact to work with. Battery drain can also be related to the operating Frequency, and Tom used 5 kHz more than 14 kHz or 20 kHz which might cause a little more battery drain, thus less than the Racer 2.D&P-OR said:
Also, Tom seemed to use the DEEP mode and push for higher Gain settings whenever possible, and that can also shorten the battery run-time a little. I am not sure what Backlight level he used, but higher settings and Constant 'On' can also do a little battery draining. With my initial set of batteries I didn't monitor them really close, but a lot of testing was in foul weather and was done indoors to get familiar with all modes and adjustment features, and were at intervals with the Impact being On for 1 to 2½ hour sessions. My close estimate was just short of 20 hours.
When operating the Impact for longer stretches, but again losing track of On-time, I was getting about 12+ hours. As of last Friday, I am logging every minute the Impact is turned on and operating so I'll have a more accurate battery run time and not be guessing, even if those guesses were fairly close. I've used some White's models, notably their current VX3 and V3i, where 8-AA alkaline batteries gave me less operating time than the Impact, and that's costing twice as much.
Monte
Stoof-tabsallday
Well-known member
I will agree that as far as rechargeables vs alkalines that it's not so cut and dry.
My cost savings is based on normal pricing for alkalines. It is possible, as Monte's stated, to pick them on on deep discount and have it be quite a good deal.
I still have a bunch of fusion rayovac batteries that I got a 50 pack for for 10.00 which is a good deal!!
If you buy on sale and properly dispose of them, alkalines can be a great deal!!!
I too use the utilitec batteries but the 9v I picked up at the same time as the fusion AAs I got from Lowe's. I got a 12 pack for like $5 and as far as the 9v, they perform just as well for me for that brand.
As long as we keep them powered and the coils swinging, you can't go wrong.
My cost savings is based on normal pricing for alkalines. It is possible, as Monte's stated, to pick them on on deep discount and have it be quite a good deal.
I still have a bunch of fusion rayovac batteries that I got a 50 pack for for 10.00 which is a good deal!!
If you buy on sale and properly dispose of them, alkalines can be a great deal!!!
I too use the utilitec batteries but the 9v I picked up at the same time as the fusion AAs I got from Lowe's. I got a 12 pack for like $5 and as far as the 9v, they perform just as well for me for that brand.
As long as we keep them powered and the coils swinging, you can't go wrong.
csarebelva
New member
Yes at least 30-40 hours on a good set of alkaline, Using Duracell or Everyready it seems I get closer to 40. I have had my Racer and Racer 2 for a year and two years respectfully both have great battery life. They have nearly paid for themselves in battery savings.
Stoof-tabsallday
Well-known member
Thought I'd pop back and let this be known....
So I ordered an 8 pack of Duracell 9v on Amazon, only to find later, most bulk packs like what I have have a review from Duracell Corp saying they don't know where these came from, they are not warrantied by them and that it's was illegal to use their name.
So I'm a little worried about them, but I compared them to a store bought one and they are identical. Literally. Normally knockoffs will have small differences like wrong font in an area or something and these look literally identical. And so far working great.
Just wanted to get that out there. Not saying for or against them, just saying.
Also all the AA Duracell's that I saw too in bulk had the same message.
Who knows.
So I ordered an 8 pack of Duracell 9v on Amazon, only to find later, most bulk packs like what I have have a review from Duracell Corp saying they don't know where these came from, they are not warrantied by them and that it's was illegal to use their name.
So I'm a little worried about them, but I compared them to a store bought one and they are identical. Literally. Normally knockoffs will have small differences like wrong font in an area or something and these look literally identical. And so far working great.
Just wanted to get that out there. Not saying for or against them, just saying.
Also all the AA Duracell's that I saw too in bulk had the same message.
Who knows.