WTB: Japanese Eneloops

Click_It on 22/03/2015 - 16:39
Last edited 22/03/2015 - 16:46

So like many of you I've noticed the newer Chinese Eneloops stack up poorly next to the Japanese versions and wondering how to source more Japanese versions before they are completely extinct. Thankfully 75% of my collection is Japanese. I bought a few too many Chocolat's before realising they don't hold up so great, wouldn't have bought any had I known that.

Amazon springs to mind but the tanking $AUD makes that an expensive option. Perhaps share-purchasing could help.

Any local retailers still stocking the good stuff?

Fish around quiet DSE's for old stock perhaps?

eBay, but I'm worried about fakes there…

Electrical & Electronics Battery Panasonic Rechargeable Battery

Comments

  • GnarlyKnuckles on 22/03/2015 - 16:51

    Costco has the Jap ones; but you have to buy a "multi-pack" that contains some AAs, some AAAs, and a charger. There was a recent post on here alluding to this from someone in Adelaide (so presumably pertained to the Adelaide store), but I was at the the Ringwood (VIC) store a couple of weeks ago and they were also selling these packs. If you are not a Costco member and don't want to join, I'll get some for you within a couple of weeks if you transfer me the money in advance, and you are willing to pick them up from my house. Best ring them first though, to make sure they still have stock.

    • Click_It on 22/03/2015 - 17:06

      Ah, just found it.

      Japanese Eneloop Batteries 8xAAs, 4xAAA, Charger $33.59

      That would have been good. Judging by my collection, AA's get the more use so that's a good ratio for me. Oh well I'll keep eyes open. Thanks.

  • Click_It on 22/03/2015 - 20:03

    I might have to look at Eneloop alternatives. Just not happy with the chinese version. Candlepower have a good review showing they don't live up to their claims since going 4th (or "4rd") generation.

  • Domingo on 23/03/2015 - 09:43

    Just out of interest, what particular usage of the batteries has demonstrated decreased performance?

    • Click_It on 23/03/2015 - 11:05

      Replied below, oops.

      • Domingo on 23/03/2015 - 11:17

        Ah right. I've seen a lot of discussions and stats around the slightly lower capacity, less cycles etc but was interested to see if you had actually run into a performance issue with the batteries, or if you were basing this on those discussions/stats.

        I guess I don't have that many uses for them at this stage - mostly using them in remotes where charging cycles is less relevant than the low self discharge. A couple in hand held CB radios, but I have some of the XX higher capacity ones for that application.

        • Click_It on 23/03/2015 - 11:44

          Mostly getting my info from those public findings, however I have found my "Chocolat" cells performing worse in CB Radios and CREE Flashlights. I've been away from home for a few months and also had Chocolat's start acting up in one of my outdoor garden timers, whilst the other employing Japanese cells is still running along nicely. It wasn't a big deal because I had someone to replace them out but I was just curious. Is this entirely fair? The Jap cells have had several cycles and found their peak whilst my Chocolat's were only on their 2nd cycle. So maybe apple and oranges. At the end of the day I'm not expert enough to know for sure, but something in me wants more Jap cells :)

          The CB Radios (was doing some 7hr drives) really tanked quick on Chocolat's but again they weren't fully cycled yet. And honestly I should be using high capacity like you do.

          I guess the China cells are fine, but I'm going to fork out for some of these:
          http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/High-End-Batteries-Panasonic-Enel…

          Eneloop Pro / XX Equivilents from Japan. 99.9% sure these are genuine. They'll be great for CB / Flashlight use and my other Eneloops (jap/china) cells can handle everything else.

  • Edsanwong on 23/03/2015 - 09:44

    How about Tropical range? Are they as bad as Chocolat?

    • Click_It on 23/03/2015 - 11:06

      Replied below, oops.

  • Click_It on 23/03/2015 - 11:01

    Domingo
    http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?392229-Ja…
    The main failing of the Chinese cells are the cycles. You're getting less than half the Japanese cells. I'm sure many will be happy with 400-450 cycles but that's less than half what they are claiming to provide. Seems dodgy to me.

    The more important (to many OzBargainers I'm guessing) discharge comparison fares much better for the China cells, they're worse but it's a tighter race. I've certainly noticed the difference in my torches and other bits and pieces but that chart shows they're actually pretty close.

    Edsanwong
    I haven't found any comparisons between the models but I suspect they're close to identical. The entire range of eneloop is now Chinese even the original white and blue design, however I believe the Japan cells are still continuing in some markets for now. Japan is one of those markets. I think USA is getting some of each. Australia has been designated 100% China cells so that means old stock or import if we want any Jap cells now.

    Conclusions
    End of the day, for the average Joe - Chinese Eneloop are probably fine. But there is some differences, in the long run Japan cells are going to fare better but better bang for your buck? Perhaps not. I'll be going against the OzBargain grain here and try to source myself some more expensive Jap cells, so when they are completely impossible to find, I'll have a nice stash.

    • Edsanwong on 23/03/2015 - 11:32

      It would be good if we can get it from Amazon JP

      • Click_It on 23/03/2015 - 11:51

        True, I don't know much about that but hopefully someone else will chime in.

        In the meantime I think I'm going to try these:
        http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/High-End-Batteries-Panasonic-Enel… (These are Eneloop PRO / XX equivalents)

        After thinking about this some more I reckon for joe average applications the Jap/China cells probably don't make much difference. But for high performance applications the XX / Eneloop Pros are worth buying. I think they're also in Jap/China flavours but I'm going to grab the Jap version since there's only a few dollars difference at the moment.

        That will (hopefully) complete my appetite for Eneloops for the coming years.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join