Product Description

Rayovac AA Hybrid Rechargeable NiMH Batteries can save you $100's over standard alkaline. Unlike standard rechargeables, Hybrid batteries are precharged and ready to use right out of the package. Batteries maintain charge longer than 6 months when not in use.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1562 in Health and Beauty
• Brand: Rayovac
• Released on: 2008-11-11
• Number of items: 2
• Dimensions: 4.00" h x 5.00" w x 6.00" l, .29 pounds

Features

• Rayovac LD715-4 RAYO 4 pack AA Hybrid Batteries

Customer Reviews

Let the competition begin
This package includes the new Rayovac "Hybrid" rechargeable NiMH AA cells. Similar to the Sanyo "eneloop", the Hybrid is also advertised to have low self-discharge rate, but not as low as that for eneloop. The eneloop is supposed to retain 85% charge in 12 months (when stored at 20 degree C), whereas the Hybrid is supposed to retain 80% charge in 6 months (no mention of temperature).

On the other hand, the capacity for the Hybrid is rated at 2100mAh, which is slightly higher than that for the eneloop (2000mAh). I have tested both brands and can confirm that both ratings are accurate. In actual applications, the difference in performances of those two brands is probably negligible. So it all comes down to price. Let's hope that the competition will drive down prices for both.

[Update on June 3, 2007]
In my 2-month self-discharge test using four different brands of NiMH cells. Hybrid and eneloop came up neck-and-neck!

Room temperature: 60-62 degree F (16-17 degree C). All capacities measured are average of 2-cells.

- Sanyo eneloop 2000, purchased Jan 2007.
Initial capacity measured: 2070mAh
Capacity after 62 days: 1796mAh (-13.2%)

- Rayovac Hybrid 2100, purchased Jan 2007.
Initial capacity measured: 2155mAh
Capacity after 62 days: 1859mAh (-13.8%)

- LaCrosse 2000, purchased Jan 2006.
Initial capacity measured: 1902mAh
Capacity after 62 days: 1417mAh (-26%)

- SONY 2300, purchased Sep 2004.
Initial capacity measured: 2210mAh
Capacity after 62 days: 1309mAh (-41%)

So the Hybrid has slightly higher initial capacity and almost identical self-discharge rate compared to eneloop. This makes it a better choice especially if you can get it at lower price.

Outstanding performance, and great long term value!
The Rayovac Hybrid rechargeable batteries are excellent. I have 3 small children, so we have lots and lots of toys requiring batteries. These work great in Wii remotes too. In fact, my original reason for buying these was that the Wii remotes were burning through batteries quickly since we were playing all the time.

I was spending a small fortune on traditional alkaline batteries. After reading an article about these batteries, I started buying them (Wal-Mart). I now own 24-28 of the AA size and 8 of the AAA size, and they've already paid for themselves. Too bad they don't come in C and D sizes. They do take a while to recharge - I've never timed it but it seems to take about 6 hours.

Originally I was worried that my wife and kids would throw them out when they needed recharging (thinking they were alkalines), but the battery design/coloring is unique enough that it hasn't been a problem. In fact, now my kids wonder why we have to throw away the batteries we have that aren't Rayovac Hybrids.

Buy these batteries and enjoy the performance and the savings.

Discharge rate matters!
Intially I thought that discharge rate didn't matter much, until I started to use these in my wall clocks, digital cameras, and flashlights. Boy did I notice a difference. For things that you leave sitting around a while, this works great. Wall Clocks run passively in the background, and a slower drain rate is great for those.

For all other information, see NLee The Engineer's review. It's an excellent overview of the product.