Off brand battery packs

[Latka]

Do any of you folks use 'em?

I've got a Canon 20D and I picked up a set of Rayovac batteries for it a while back. The first few power cycles worked ok, but then I was noticing my camera didn't like 'em so much... One of the last Solo II events at the racetrack I took around 4 pictures and then got the blinky battery icon. (sigh)

Put 'em on a long charge recently before a trip with some out of town friends to the USS Missouri. 2 photos. Ugh.

Oh well, at least it's an excuse to go back to the Missouri. Being from the State it was kinda neat to see the Battleship named for it. Lots of cool history there too.

So anyway - going to see if I can return those batteries and get some of the Canon ones. Of course they're more expensive, but if they work (and they do - snap all day long on 'em!) they're worth the money.

Anyone have similar off-brand experiences?

[imagesbyk2]

Ive been using 2x generic ones from ebay in my 20d for over a year and they work great. no problems what so ever and I shoot about 3-4 times a week.

they were about $10 for both of them.

[japaneezy]

I have a generic battery pack for my G7 that i picked up at ritz, i swear the damn thing lasts about 20 minutes longer than the stock canon one.

[japaneezy]

oh, and for rechargeables AAs, i found those new eneloop batteries from sanyo are the best. Pricey though. They come pre charged, and they hold the full charge for about as long as a alkaline, that means if you pop em in your camera bag, it will still have a full charge after a month, as opposed to NiMH ones, which will have a only fraction of the charge after sitting for so long. you can charge them in standard NiMH AA chargers too. slightly lower mAh rating than others rechargeables, but definitely worth the trade off.
http://backoffice.ajb.com.au/images/DynamicImages/Product/EneloopBatteryPackage.jpg

[howzitboy]

guys also forget some batteries have "memory" so u have to fully drain them before u recharge em. If u dont, you will not get a good charge and u will ruin the batteries.

[japaneezy]

guys also forget some batteries have "memory" so u have to fully drain them before u recharge em. If u dont, you will not get a good charge and u will ruin the batteries.
this is something that you don't have to worry about unless you are living in 1995 and are using NiCd batteries. NiMH and lithium ion cells to not have the "memory" characteristic.

[howzitboy]

i think i have cameras older then most guys posting here lol.

[Altivec]

I know my 2 slr's were made back in 1982.

[japaneezy]

got a camera older than you! (unless you're over 55, which i doubt)