VX3 batteries

[Rob (IL)]

I was just wondering how many VX3 users are not using rechargeable batteries. I was also wondering why?
I'm glad I use the rechargeables.

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[Monte]

in any of my detectors. Never liked them when they were NiCad in some models, and don't have a use for NiMH, either.

So now you wonder why?

Maybe, just maybe, I would if I hunted many, many long hours day-to-day, and if I used only one detector most of the time. Then I would be using the one detector enough to wear the batteries and then recharge them nightly, presuming that I leave and return to home each day. But, I don't. I make use of several detectors, one Tesoro, one Teknetics, and two White's (the MXT Pro and VX3) and due to my health ad other keep-me-busy things, I can't get out as often or for the durations I would like. For ME, a good set of AA alkaline batteries work a good long time and I can better monitor when they are wearing down and be ready for a quick replacement. Besides, I use AA alkaline batteries in some of my flashlights, back-up radios, hand-held communication radios, so I have plenty of alkaline batteries on hand.

Another thing that I didn't like about rechargeable batteries were that they didn't last as long as alkaline batteries. My run-times were much shorter. Second, they didn't alert me to being 'run-down' as easily as an alkaline, and I prefer the informative behavior od run-time of alkaline batteries. Third I used them a little early-on, and have hunted with several people who rely on rechargeable batteries , and all too often I have seen the get well away from where we are parked out in a remote site, only to have the rechargeable pack die-off quickly, as rechargeables do, and they are inconvenienced.

I mainly hunt ghost towns, homesteads, and many other old and out-of-the-way locations, often spending a night or two away from any power source to recharge the dead batteries.

I made the long trek back to the vehicle, and I still see many who are bothered to interrupt their hunting time due to the shorter run-time and quick drop-off in power of rechargeables. In those early-day experiences I would always walk back and switch to my 8-AA alkaline pack. I then had full power and I could hunt much longer with them than rechargeable packs, and it didn't take long for me to eliminate that annoyance and simply stick with AA alkaline batteries.

Just my experiences over many, many years.

Monte

 

[vx3 man]

I used alkaline batteries in my VX3 for about 7 months, It would eat them up in two days. I was spending almost 20 bucks a week on batteries so I finally broke down and bought the hp2900 and I will say that its a must have for any V

 

[Rob (IL)]

I wish you had more to say on the subject Monte.

 

[GroundScanner]

I use the factory rechargable until dead , then i will put the reg. alkalines in . At end of day i will charge it for next time and take out the alkalines for the next time factory dies again. That will all change within a few days cause my HP2900 will be here. This is for my V3i. I know you didn't ask about the V3i but i figured i would thro it out there.

 

[Monte]

It sounds like you use the VX3 only, or at least the most to put in a lot of time. My VX3 is toted along for the occasional 'cruising unit' tasks of hunting an open grassy sports field or large park lawn. I use my MXT Pro much more. As I stated, I might use rechargeable batteries, if I only used the VX3 because he batter life in the Spectra series models is quite abbreviated compared with other models.

Then, too, I ether by my AA alkaline batteries at Costco where a 48 pack costs about $12.50, making an 8-AA fill-up only $2.08+. Their 'house brand' are made for them by he makers of the Duracell battery, and I get almost identical run-time. I also watch for other decent alkaline batteries to go on sale. I have an ample supply of some that were on sale at Lowe's, the Utilitech, for a pack of 30 AA alkalines for $4.00 about Christmas time 2011, and I found more on sale at that price in May of last year. That's just 13.33

 

[gmuny$]

I used the rechargable unit with my first detector- Coinmaster 6000, but after that I have been using AA from Lowes--$ 20.00 for 100. If I got a rechargable battery when I bought my DFX or VX3 I may have used it periodically but this is convenient. If I head out into the woods and the detector shows the battery level at anything below 10, I just take one of the sleeves of 10 batterys and stick it in my back pocket.

 

[Rob (IL)]

I have no problem with either choice rechargeable or not. It is a fact there are rechargeables that last as long or longer than alkaline batteries. I don't use a VX3. I just knew that the VX3 came standard without rechargeables.

 

[5900_XL-1]

I have 2 rechargeable factory packs, and 2 sets of Eneloops, one being the XX high capacity batts. I do run the V3i though, but if the VX3, I would use the AA rechargeables. martin

 

[burlbark]

Hp2900..... Are there really any others? I could run tx boost all day long and power to spare.

 

[MANDAD76]

Use the Li-ion HP 2900 for v3i and the HD whites rechargeable for the bh 300..... use the aa eneloopes for headphones....alkalines in spare packs....got it covered...lol!!

 

[Count Pierre]

Yep, same here....2900 in the VX3, which has not been recharged after 20 odd hours, & still reading 10.30 v.

Also keep 3 x AA packs handy.

No chance I'll run out of power!

 

[yowow#1]

I don't use rechargeables because i have other machines i use more than the VX3 at this time, however if i used the VX3 exclusively or primarily i would go to rechargeables because of it's hugh appetite for batteries.

 

[triplehooked]

Personally, I'm saving up for the 2900 battery pack. Being that the VX3 is my go to detector, I burn through alkalines faster than I care to think about. Not to mention my 11 year old boys constantly raiding my detector for X-box controller batteries... I can see Monte's point in his situation, but today's li-ion battery systems last way longer (and are much lighter) than the rechargables of the old days....

 

[Explorer]

Since I got my V3i for Fathers Day I have been trying to read all the old threads and contribute if I can.

I use rechargeable since it does not place hundreds of dead batteries into the landfills. Being a geologist it is an environmental thing but cost is a factor too but only when I have to. I converted several of the alkaline packs to rechargeable for my DFX and use the charger that came with it. The same packs I now use them in the V3i, too. With this conversion they can still be used for alkaline batteries if necessity arises. I picked up parts at the electronics store to convert the alkaline pack that came with the DFX and now V3i to a rechargeable. I have one set of NiMH batteries that are over six years old that I have slow charged (85mAh) at least a five hundred times and they still power the detector for a day of detecting. The NiMH batteries are by far tougher, more economical than the old Nicads and last a long time if slow charged.

I f you are starting from scratch you can get the basic alkaline battery case PN 802-7150 ($10) and charger PN 509-0022 ($25) from Whites Electronics

 

[johnedoe]

I use rechargeables in everything from my TV remote, Wii, handheld GPS, smoke detectors, Flashlights, and of course my MD's..... I have a NiMH smart charger that will charge 8 AAA, AA, 4 D, C, or 2 9 Volt batteries .... It just makes sense to me to do this.
and the battery life with the new NiMH batteries is very good.
Anyway this is what works for me.

 

[Rob (IL)]

If you are going to use NIMH get the LSD type. That's why Iike the Li Ion batteries, no need to charge the night before. I've had them sit for weeks and they are ready to go.

 

[johnedoe]

Yup.... Those are the ones.... They hold their charge a good long time while in storage, and their in service use is excellent especially if you get the 2400 or higher capacity cells.

 

[basstrackerman]

I agree! I have the 2200 and the 2900 fantastic battery and your saving money in long run,,