Powergenix NiZn Rechargeable AA Batteries

E

Evolute

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Mar 19, 2001
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I just picked up a set of these NiZn batteries for my camera flashes (Canon 580 EX II).

This kind of battery is fairly new to the market, with different chemistry and technology than other rechargeables. For camera flashes, these batteries have a distinct advantage over other rechargeables: Their higher voltage and lower resistance allows the flash to recharge for the next shot far more quickly than other batteries. You can get the kind of turbo speeds which would normally only be available from an additional external battery pack, from just the 4 AA cells in the flash.

I can run my camera at full speed, until I hit the buffer, without my flash skipping a shot.

You need to be careful, using such batteries, because it allows you to run too much energy through your flash too fast, and fry it, if you're not attentive. With that caveat: These batteries are fantastic, so far. I've only used them a bit, so far, but they seem to live up to the rumors about them.

So far, I'm very impressed.
 
I wonder how those will work in LED flashlights.

I know that lithiums can result in a brighter LED flashlight, with accompanying heat of course.
 
I would guess that these will lead to brighter lights, for a shorter duration, if they don't fry the flashlights.
 
orthogonal1 said:
I wonder how those will work in LED flashlights.

I know that lithiums can result in a brighter LED flashlight, with accompanying heat of course.
Click to expand...

Somewhat of an unknown. The testing seen has shown a rather steep voltage depression under constant load; negating the potentially higher voltage. Also, the cell capacity is approximately half of a high quality NiMH (1000MAH vs. 2000MAH).
 
orthogonal1 said:
I wonder how those will work in LED flashlights.

I know that lithiums can result in a brighter LED flashlight, with accompanying heat of course.
Click to expand...

The limitation these days is the LEDs, not the batteries. 2 lithium batteries can handle just about anything that flashlight makers can throw at them in the handheld light range. There are high end CR123 batteries that could power a 2500 lumen flashlight, but the battery life would be awful, and the batteries themselves are pretty pricey. The LED would also be so crazy hot that it would only work in short bursts and would need some decent heat sinking.

Now, when the 5000 lumen LEDs start coming out, we might see some pretty cool battery technology being incorporated.
 
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