Without a doubt, the best thing to happen to my batteries. As a pro photographer, I go through dozens of batteries a month. This charger not only charges my batteries to near original efficiency, it also re-conditions old batteries that were left for dead. Of over 40 old batteries that I had lying around because they could not or would not recharge with the included charger systems, the Maha was able to bring them back to not only useful charge, but in at least one case, better condition than when purchased. With powerex or Eneloops, this thing is indispensible. Other very useful features... the cahrge system allows you to charge a single battery, mixed brands and mixed sizes simultaneously. If you have battery needs for remote controls, camera(s), flashes, etc.... you know how challenging it can be to always have fresh powered batteries WHEN you need them. This is the ticket... top rate ad well built. Maha PowerEx MH-C801D Eight Cell 1-Hr Charger - Battery charger - 1-2 hr - 8xAA/AAA
The Maha MH-C801D charger is a nice change after I've ruined so many batteries with those 15 minute chargers. I'm using a combination of ENELOOP AA and Energizer 2500mah AA batteries and I am pleased with the results. The battery conditioning made some of my old batteries usable again, and the eight independent charging circuits mean that all the batteries are fully charged.
Best charger out there. Has a soft charge mode (takes about 4-6 hrs) or a normal charge mode (2-4 hrs). Charges both the old NiCd batteries as well as the NiMH. User interface is simple enough. It detects the batteries, does a quick check of how much juice is left in each one of them, and then begins to charge all at the same time. Each independent cell has its own meter and stops charging when done - It doesnt work off a timer like most chargers (it actuallys stops charging when the battery is full).
Update one year later: I dont use the unit all that often, but now the 2 right charging slots no longer show a charging status on the display. I guess the display has gone bad.
WHY WE BOUGHT IT: My wife and I were hesitant to pay what we thought was big $$ for just another 'battery charger.' However we were really getting tired of short battery life (even with AccuEvolution LSD NiMH AA cells) using our existing Wal-Mart charger that sold for only $19 w/4 standard NiMH AA cells! For $19 we got a junk charger that rendered our AccuEvolution AA's nearly useless. SO..we bit the bullet and ordered this unit.
HOW IT WORKS FOR US: We could not be happier after using it the past 4 days. It has made all the difference in the life of our 8 LSD NiMH cells and has thoroughly reconditioned our 8 standard NiMH cells (6 Energizer brand and 2 Kodak brand) back into 100% servicable condition. It is not unusual for us to take 500 snaps a day. Between day-trips, weekend jaunts and being owned by 10 kitty kats there is always something worthy of a snapshot. Now we can leave the house with 16 FULLY CHARGED cells and with our cigarette lighter DC to AC convertor even charge cells as we roll down the road. If you are a heavy battery user -OR- don't want to shorten and/or ruin the life of your costly LSD NiMH cells this Maha charger is a great value and will very much enhance your battery experience. This charger has made a HUGE positive (++++) impact on our photography hobby. Comes with nice carrying pouch that has an extra pocket for AA/AAA cells and 3 8-pack AA plastic cell storage cases.
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE:
Only 1 thing really - the built-in LCD display is small and not illuminated at all. We use a flashlight to be able to read the display. I suppose if under a desk lamp it would be OK as well. Our charging station area is not normally brightly lit. To be fair the display text is large enough (but certainly not jumbo) but it is the lack of illumination that kept us from giving this unit a full 5 stars. IMHO there is no reason a unit that draws AC power should not have a bright contrast / easy reading display. We would pay extra for this feature alone.
OUR CONCLUSION: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
-ps Just relocated the charger to under a desk lamp.. The display is A-OK and easy to read from 18" away.
Being a geek who is willing to spend a little more for something well thought out and well built, I bought this charger. After owning for over a year, I would buy it all over again if I was looking for another charger (which is unlikely to happen considering how well built this thing is). This is by far the best charger ever.
1. individual charge circuits: means it determines how much charging each slot needs, and so you can put batteries at different levels of drainage in, and some finish charging before others.
2. 8 slots for AA or AAA batteries! that's a lot of charging all at once!
3. lots of options: you can soft charge, fast charge, recycle (drain/charge).
4. LCD display: hey, geeks love displays telling you what's going on.
The only possible minus is that it comes with a big AC adapter, so don't plan on taking this with you on vacation.
Aside from that, no, by far the best charger on the market.
I am a professional photographer and I use this charger several times a week. I have a dozen sets (4) of nickel-metal hydride batteries that I need to get ready for wedding shots, etc. If I remember, I start charging on Friday evening, but sometimes I forget and have to start Saturday morning. This charges gets all dozen sets ready to go before I have to leave for the wedding.
It is also great for reconditioning batteries. Four sets of my nickel-metal hydrides are more than 4 years old and this unit keeps them going freat.
I already owned one of these which I purchased from a local camera store I wanted another, but they never seem to have them in stock. Finally I bought two more on here. These are great. We run a photography business specializing in weddings. We will go thru over 60 batteries a night, so I need to be able to charge lateg numbers of batteries, and when in a hurry I need to have a fast charger. These work great for this.
Jeff - Charger - Nimh Charger - Best Battery Charger - Nimh'
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