Sanyo Eneloop – Peter Tan – The Digital Awakening

GP Recyko+ Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries

To photographers, rechargeable batteries are as important as the photographic gear itself. These batteries power the cameras and flash guns. The common types are Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and Nickle Metal Hydride (NiMH). Li-ion are usually proprietary batteries manufactured for specific models of cameras only. NiMH on the other hand can be used on cameras that accepts AA-sized batteries which includes many compact cameras.

Photo by Wuan.

I have been using AA-sized NiMH batteries since 2003 when I bought my first digital camera. NiMH those days were unreliable. The power of some would be exhausted after only fifty or sixty shots fresh from the charger. The other disadvantage about these batteries is that they have poor power retention. Their power will be totally exhausted in about one week. That was the reason why I carry a pack of alkaline batteries for those “just in case” moments. Comparartively, alkalines are single use and expensive.

Photo by Wuan.

The older generation of NiMH batteries come uncharged. The new generation comes pre-charged. These include Sony Cycle Energy, Sanyo Eneloop and GP Recyko+. I have been using a set of four Sanyo Eneloop AA-sized batteries on my Canon Powershot A610 for two years now. Wuan has been using hers for the Canon Powershot A90 close to three years already. Both sets still retain their charge well after a few weeks.

Photo by Wuan.

Recently, I got the Nikon Speedlight SB-600 for the Nikon D60. The flash unit takes four AA-sized batteries. Wuan has been taking the Eneloop from my A610 to use in the SB-600. It is a hassle as when I need to use the compact camera, I have to retrieve it from the flash and put it back into the A610. When we were at Low Yat Plaza recently, I got I bought 2 packs of 2 AA-sized GP Recyko+ pre-charged batteries to be used for the SB-600.

Photo by Wuan.

One pack of 2 batteries cost RM32. The batteries come with a charger too but that costs RM88 per set and comes with four batteries. It is actually quite a bargain as I had previously paid RM150 for a charger only. However, I have 2 units of chargers that are still in working order. Over the next few weeks, I am going to test the Recyko+ to see if they are as reliable as the Eneloop.

Sanyo Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries

Sanyo Eneloop ready to use rechargeable batteries

Digital camera enthusiasts are all too familiar with the “replace batteries” sign that pops out on the screen at the most inopportune moments. Many point and shoot cameras such as my Canon Powershot A 610 and Wuan’s Canon A95 uses four AA batteries. We opted for the rechargeable AA batteries. Nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries or more commonly known by it abbreviation NiMH are not exactly cheap but are cost efficient in the long run as they can be recharged up to 500 times. We have been using Sanyo NiMH because it is one of the more reliable brand of rechargeable batteries available.

Although NiMH is said to last 500 recharging cycles, that is usually not the case. Ours would usually die out at around 300 cycles. The one thing I dislike about NiMH is that it self discharges over a period of time. A single charge will last between three to seven days. We have to remember to charge the batteries one day before we need to use it. Most times we forget. That is one of the reasons why I have a spare set of alkaline batteries in my knapsack at all times.

A set of four fully-charged 2700 mAh NiMH will provide enough power to shoot 200 to 300 shots with 50% flash usage and zoom. The 2700 mAh batteries are supposed to hold the charge longer. I have progressively used 1800 mAh, 2100 mAh, 2300 mAh and 2700 mAh since I first stared using a digital camera in 2003. All have been Sanyo NiMH.

When I was in Tokyo, I first saw the Sanyo Eneloop batteries. The sales staff in his broken English told me that these batteries will last up to 1000 recharging cycles.The best thing was that they came fully charged. Normal NiMH batteries have to be charged first before they can be used. I was skeptical but bought a set anyway for Wuan and bought the Sanyo NC-MR58 refresh charger that came with four 2700 mAh NiMH betteries and another set of four 2700 mAh NiMH batteries.

The refresh function of the Sanyo NC-MR58 is supposedly to keep the lifespan of the batteries longer. This is achieved by the discharging the batteries first with the press of a button on the charger and then it will automatically recharge the batteries to full to prevent the memory effect that is prevalent with NiMH batteries. The memory effect prevents NiMH batteries from being fully charged.

The performance of the Eneloop batteries was tested to the full when Wuan and I went to Kota Kinabalu. I filled up my 512 Mb SD and a quarter of my 2 Gb micro SD over a period of four days without having to recharge the batteries. And it still had enough power for me to shoot occasionally over the next few weeks. Having been convrted to Eneloop, will never use the normal NiMH batteries again. The low self-discharge ability and the fast that it can last 1000 recharging cycles justifies its cost.

A set of four Eneloop batteries is currently selling for around RM67. Eneloop batteries are rated at 2000 mAh. I have seen them displayed at IT Hypermarket in Low Yat Plaza and Best Denki at 1-Utama. AAA size are avalable too. There is also a Eneloop charger set with two batteries. According to the sales staff I spoke to in Japan, the Eneloop batteries can be charged using the normal chargers. I have three of those already. Besides the Eneloop charger can only hold two batteries.

I have no qualms in recommending the Sanyo Eneloop batteries to digital camera enthusiasts and people who are looking for AA sized NiMH rechargeable batteries. It is reliable, gives the best bang for the buck and comes pre-charged. GP has also come out with its pre-charged NiMH batteries called the Recyko+. I do not know how good they are. I have never used that brand as I am happy with Sanyo. Perhaps when it is time to get another set of rechageable batteries, I will consider getting the GP Recyko+ just to see if it measures up to the Eneloop.

Peer Counseling Workshop 2007 Malaysia

The week that just passed was a hectic one. Wuan accompanied me to the Peer Counseling Workshop at Institut Latihan Majlis Kebajikan dan Pembangunan Masyarakat Kebangsaan Malaysia (MAKPEM) in Sentul. This workshop was organised by Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat Malaysia (JKMM) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The workshop began on Monday and ended on Thursday. I was only able to attend the workshop from Tuesday onwards as Wuan was not around. She went back to Ipoh for a short holiday.

It was good meeting Hiroko Akiyama and Aiko Tsutsumi again. They were invited a resource persons for the workshop. Hiro and Aichan, as they would prefer to be known, were here in 2005 to conduct the Independent Living Workshop. Hiro and I have met several times in Tokyo, Bangkok and here in Malaysia for related activities. This was Aichan’s second trip to Malaysia.

When I was in Tokyo, Aichan had taken me to the Odakyu Department Store in Shinjuku to purchase a pair of adaptive chopsticks called the hashizokun. It was already worn out and I needed another pair desperately to enjoy my bak kut teh and noodles. When Adriene was back for a holiday recently, I had asked her to get another pair for me. Adriene is currently pursuing her post-graduate studies at the Sophia University in Tokyo.

After much coordinating between Hata, AiChan and Adriene in Tokyo, I finally got a new pair of hashizokun that Adriene managed to buy and passed through Aichan to me. Adriene also got me 2 sets of 4 Sanyo Eneloop batteries each. I just realised that these batteries are available in Malaysia already although much more expensive as compared to the price in Japan.

The workshop was also a good opportunity to catch up with the latest from friends from Malaysia that I seldom get the opportunity to meet like Siti, Elaine and Say Leng, and also make new friends. Although I was one of the local resource persons and conducted one of the sessions, it was still a learning process for me just like some of the newcomers. There is much to learn about Independent Living and Peer Counseling.

The dream of setting up a Centre for Independent Living in Malaysia has not materialised yet. Unfortunately JICA’s 3-year programme for Independent Living here will conclude by the middle of next year. There is an urgent need now to tap into JICA’s resources to realise this dream of liberating severely disabled Malaysians as the programme enters into the final phase. Can we make it before the programme ends? All I can say is that I will try my level best. The rest, I leave it up to God to show me the way.