New Hope Vision 1 - Which Batteries

[akb]

Following on from loads of research into lights, I have just brought a Hope Vision 1 for the commute home now it is nice and dark. Hope recommend 2500mAh batteries. I am after a charger and 4 x rechargable batteries. Have looked on eBay and the like, but I dont recognise most of the brands on there so am a bit cautious in buying from there. Am I asking too much for a charger and battery combo for £10? Be grateful for any tried and tested recommendations. Thanks in advance.

 

[ianrauk]

Here you go
4 x AA 2700mAh batteries and charger from Play.com for £5.53

You will get over 8 hours on level 2.

 

[Kestevan]

Vapex 2900 batteries are the dogs.
With a charger, try and get a "smart" charger that allows each cell to be monitored/charged independently - these will help to increase the life of the batteries (you'll struggle to get one for £10 though).

 

[gaz]

Smart charger is a very worthwhile buy.

 

[fossyant]

7dayshop sell a very good smart charger for £10 - model 808 LCD. Will also tell you if a battery is duff. Been using these for about 3 years, very reliable and have kept my batteries in tiptop condition - still using the same AA's in my Hopes and Magicshine rears (homebrew AA pack).

Hybrid batteries are a good bet too, hold charge well, although not quite the same capacity.

 

[akb]

Thank you all! Very useful.

 

[siadwell]

One thing to watch out with the batteries is whether they are hybrids, which do not self-discharge like conventional rechargeables, although they tend to be lower capacity in the first place.
As it looks like you'll be using the light every day, it might not matter so much to you, but I use mine once or twice a week and it's reassuring to know that they won't have lost charge in the interim.
BTW, I use the 7dayshop own-brand hybrids.

 

[akb]

Just ordered the 2700 mAh from Play. Thanks all for the replies and the advice.

 

[akb]

Ok, so the items from Play have been refunded....not sure why but I have asked the question to the seller.

Does it matter which batteries and charger I get, if they meet the 2500 mAh + spec?

 

[fossyant]

Get a smart charger - i.e. it charges each cell individually. Got a maplins near by, their batteries are very reliable. Or order the 808 LCD charger from 7dayshop and some of their own batteries - works out quite cheap !

Hybrids you'd be looking from 2100 mah (that's what mine are but they are quality panasonics) as they are usually lower capacity, but in real life they aren't far behind on run times, but hold charge very well.

 

[StuAff]

+1 to getting a smart charger. When I first got my Vision 1, I went for one of these sets, which has done well for me (I didn't use this seller then, but I have bought batteries of them since- that's about the best price online for this one btw). Never had any problems with the Camlink batteries either, my run times have been on a par with Ian's and I've bought more sets since. The Camlink charger works well too, but it won't give you the feedback, flexibility, and reassurance that a smart one will. It's two batteries or four, AAs or AAs, one charging speed only (this is as about as fast as they get, not necessarily a good thing though I've had no problems), bad cell detection, and trickle charge when full. That's it. After concerns I had about how some battery sets I had were lasting, plus getting a USB charging pack that took three AAs, I decided to buy one of these. Which is absolutely brilliant (alternative options available from various places). By all means get a decent more basic charger to start with, but if you get one of these that'll stay in the cupboard. Any number of batteries from one to four, in any combination of AAs and AAAs, and if they're different capacities, differing charge levels, not a problem.

 

[akb]

Thanks Stu, I cannot justify spending £44 at the min, so will go look into the Camlink.
Shall pootle down to Maplins tomorrow when I have the car
Thanks to all.