Minelab explorer se battery life?

[Stephenbdog]

I just purchased a new Explorer and my son had it out yesterday for it's first trial. He was using the "aa" batteries and they were gone in about 6 hours. High end alkaline premium batteries. Is that about what I should expect? Seems to be very short, since the previous Tesoro seems to go a very long time on its battery power.

Can you guys give my son and me some tips on how to get the best efficiency out of this new machine, if there are any answers to that?

Thanks-
Steve

 

[Big Boys Hobbies]

Best advice i can give is get yourself a smart charger and some 2600 amp rechargeable batteries. Maybe send it in and have it checked out my minelab????

 

[dewcon4414]

You should get up to 16 hours.... thats if you use HEADPHONES and dont have the back light on. Also, you do use more battery life with low disc and high use of the pinpoint. I hardly ever use throw-a-way batteries. Most of the time i use the slimpack or rechargeables. For my style of hunting the slimpack lasts longer.... plus i recharge after every use.

 

[John LA]

Six hours is about what I get. I use back light a lot.
Now I use rechargeable and get even less but at less cost.

 

[grumpyolman]

Get the NiMh T-energy 2600 Mah AAs and a charger. Can get the whole thing for about $50 and then you don't have to buy batteries again. The new NiMh batteries are supposed to retain 85% of their charge, sitting in the closet, for up to a year. No memory issues with a NiMh either. My 1600Mah battery that came with my SE will last as long as I want to hunt in one session. Jim

 

[John-NC]

I have only ever used the AA battery pack. I know that I get a lot more than 6 hours from alkaline batteries. I was out for at least 15 hours over the last three days.

E n e r g i z e r sells rechargable NiMH batteries. You can get 8 of them for a very reasonable price. I saw them on A m a z o n for less than $20 for 8 AA's. You can even get them at W a l m a r t. They sell a chargers too.

 

[Waterdog]

That is Great to Hear. I have some rechargables I bought several years ago and they still hold a charge. They work in other things I have around the house. But now that I have red this I will go back and get those Duracell 2650ma and charge them up for a hunt. Sure beats buying batteries every week or so. Saves a LOT of money too.

 

[Neil]

Sounds like the backlight was on for that short of time. In daylight its hard to tell its on, sounds like you accidentially pushed that button.
Neil