Probably already talked about but....

[ramairnut]

What brand of batteries do you use and why? I ask this because I am now a full time student going to school on TAA and $$ is very limited. Gotta save money where ever possible so the longer lasting the batteries are, the better. I was using the Wallyworld ray-o-vacs but saw on the internet that some were found to be rebadged cheap chinese no-name batteries so I won't be buying those anymore. I also have a Garrett PP so advice on 9v batteries will be welcomed also. Thanks!

 

[Mark in S.E. IA]

I use the Energizer 2300 mAh rechargeables. they cost a round 18 buck and will last you 2 to 3 years.

as far as the PP goes, I use what ever is cheap. I think I only went through 2 of those batteries last year.

 

[Old Longhair]

FWIW, I recently saw something on TV about battery efficiency. They said that naturally the big name brand batteries were best, but for the $ store brand batteries were a better buy, and dollar store or off-branded batteries were the worst. Seems that the ones that actually carry the store's name are made by the big manufacturers under contract, and of course they don't offer a product that is equal to their own, so they aren't quite as good. But the difference in price often means more run time for the dollar with the store brands.

Here we have Meijer Thrifty Acres (originated by Frederik Meijer), so I've been buying their batteries in large quantity packages, and I have to say that I don't see enough difference in run time to justify paying for the big name cells.

 

[ramairnut]

FWIW, I recently saw something on TV about battery efficiency. They said that naturally the big name brand batteries were best, but for the $ store brand batteries were a better buy, and dollar store or off-branded batteries were the worst. Seems that the ones that actually carry the store's name are made by the big manufacturers under contract, and of course they don't offer a product that is equal to their own, so they aren't quite as good. But the difference in price often means more run time for the dollar with the store brands.

Here we have Meijer Thrifty Acres (originated by Frederik Meijer), so I've been buying their batteries in large quantity packages, and I have to say that I don't see enough difference in run time to justify paying for the big name cells.

Have you ever used the Radio Shack Enercells? We have Meijers(without the thrifty acres) here also. I will take a look at those as well.

 

[Old Longhair]

FWIW, I recently saw something on TV about battery efficiency. They said that naturally the big name brand batteries were best, but for the $ store brand batteries were a better buy, and dollar store or off-branded batteries were the worst. Seems that the ones that actually carry the store's name are made by the big manufacturers under contract, and of course they don't offer a product that is equal to their own, so they aren't quite as good. But the difference in price often means more run time for the dollar with the store brands.

Here we have Meijer Thrifty Acres (originated by Frederik Meijer), so I've been buying their batteries in large quantity packages, and I have to say that I don't see enough difference in run time to justify paying for the big name cells.

Have you ever used the Radio Shack Enercells? We have Meijers(without the thrifty acres) here also. I will take a look at those as well.

Nope...never used the RadioShack batteries, partly because there isn' t one nearby.

Meijers is what they call it now, but if you look at some of their store branded stuff it will be branded MTA, which stands for Meijer Thrifty Acres (the original chain name). Their store brand batteries are blue in color, and AA's last a good 30+hrs.

 

[bob.oz]

After years of discarding used batteries weekly/monthly ....Purchased from dollar stores and beyond,I now use NiHM rechargeable batteries that i got from Harbor freight....on sale and with coupon..@$5/6 a pack......Have been using them in the 705 for several months.They hold their charge after charging,last 25hrs +,can be recharged anytime to full charge.
It's best to have a charger that turns off after batteries are fully charged,or put a timer on the charger.They can be recharged in @2-15 hours,depending on charger...HH GL

 

[ronhob]

36 ct energizer max batteries at home depo for just under 15 bucks. That's about 45 cents a piece with taxes. If you get around 30 hrs of hunt time out of every 4 batteries, you should get aprox. 270 hrs of hunt time for just under $16 with taxes included.(6% tax here)
That's about 6 cents / hr.
That's what I do.

 

[mapper65]

36 ct energizer max batteries at home depo for just under 15 bucks.

I second this. Went to Home Depot the other night and stocked up for the summer. Probably one of the best deals on Energizers and I really think that Energizers last the longest in the 705.

I tried using good quality 2900 mAh AA's and felt like I was spending too much time recharging them. With the issue of the contact springs bending in the 705 if you let the batteries drop too hard down into the batter holder, I don't like changing batteries anymore often than necessary even though it's easy to gently install the batteries.

My brother tells me that he's been using a Radio Shack lithium 9volt in his Pro Pointer and the battery is about 2 year old and still running fine. I use an Energizer 9 volt and probably go through 3-4 of them a year. He also said that the lithium battery fits a little better without rattling around. I wad up a small piece of paper in the tail cap to keep my Energizer from bouncing around.

 

[Hotdawg]

I use Duracell Alkaline and buy them bulk at Costco for $24.99 for 48 and 9V for $18.99 for 8...

I find the Duracell's for me last a long time...

I tried using the re-chargeable batteries with the charger and the total cost for that was around $70.00 in which after 2 weeks I returned for my money back as it was a waste of money....

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B.C., Canada
Minelab X-Terra 70
Coils: 10.5" Double D HF & 10x5 Double D HF
Garrett Pro Pin pointer

 

[Mark in S.E. IA]

WOW you spent 70 dollars for rechargables and a charger. About 7 years ago I bought my first 8 rechargable batteries and the charger come with it for a round 25 dollars. I'm still using the charger and like I said earlier I replace them every two to three years for about 18 dollars for 8 of them. At that rate it's costing me a lil less then 9 dollars a year for batteries and I MD 5 to 7 days a week from thaw to frost.

I use Duracell Alkaline and buy them bulk at Costco for $24.99 for 48 and 9V for $18.99 for 8...

I find the Duracell's for me last a long time...

I tried using the re-chargeable batteries with the charger and the total cost for that was around $70.00 in which after 2 weeks I returned for my money back as it was a waste of money....

---

B.C., Canada
Minelab X-Terra 70
Coils: 10.5" Double D HF & 10x5 Double D HF
Garrett Pro Pin pointer

---

 

[GTzer]

I prefer the rechargables-just me. Do a search here also. It has been discussed with some good info on both types.

My choice comes from my experience w my analog Whites. But I have a 705 also now. 705 is easier on batteries and they last much longer.

 

[Hotdawg]

WOW you spent 70 dollars for rechargables and a charger. About 7 years ago I bought my first 8 rechargable batteries and the charger come with it for a round 25 dollars. I'm still using the charger and like I said earlier I replace them every two to three years for about 18 dollars for 8 of them. At that rate it's costing me a lil less then 9 dollars a year for batteries and I MD 5 to 7 days a week from thaw to frost.

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Oops I forgot that last year I was using a Whites Eagle SL 2 detector and it required 4 C batteries and that's what cost me the $70 with taxes, but that detector was going through so much battery power I couldn't keep up, so I am glad I up graded to a Minelab...

What a difference in battery life compared to the Whites...

I use Duracell Alkaline and buy them bulk at Costco for $24.99 for 48 and 9V for $18.99 for 8...

I find the Duracell's for me last a long time...

I tried using the re-chargeable batteries with the charger and the total cost for that was around $70.00 in which after 2 weeks I returned for my money back as it was a waste of money....

---

B.C., Canada
Minelab X-Terra 70
Coils: 10.5" Double D HF & 10x5 Double D HF
Garrett Pro Pin pointer

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