Rayovac Rechargeable Hybrid Charger, 4-position AA/AAA Hybrid Battery Charger With 2 AA Hybrid Batte

• Small, compact and portable
• Packaged with 2 AA Hybrid™ batteries
• 8 hour charge time
• LED lights indicate when batteries are ready
• Hybrid™ batteries hold charge longer than 6 months

This package includes two new Rayovac "Hybrid" rechargeable NiMH AA cells, plus a simple charger. Similar to the Sanyo "eneloop", the Hybrid is also advertised to have low self-discharge rate, but not as low as that for eneloop. The eneloop is supposed to retain 85% charge in 12 months (when stored at 20 degree C), whereas the Hybrid is supposed to retain 80% charge in 6 months (no mention of temperature).

On the other hand, the capacity for the Hybrid is rated at 2100mAh, which is slightly higher than that for the eneloop (2000mAh). I have tested both brands and can confirm that both ratings are accurate. In actual applications, the difference in performances between Hybrid and eneloop cells is probably negligible. So it all comes down to price. Unfortuantely, this Hybrid package offered here is just not a good value compared to similar eneloop packages.

The charger included here is a timer-based dumb charger. It forces you to charge cells in pairs (either 2 or 4), and it does not know whether the cells are fully charged. It simply charges at around 350mA for 8 hours and turns off (obviously it was designed for 2500-2700mAh batteries, because 350mA*8hr=2800mAh). In contrast, the chargers included in eneloop packages are "smart", in the sense that they charge cells individually, and stop whenever each cell is full.

Unless prices for the Rayovac Hybrid batteries come down significantly, I'll say stay with the Sanyo eneloop.

[update on Nov 29, 2007]

The price of this item has came down significantly since I first wrote the above review. So it should be considered a much better value right now.

[Update June 16, 2010]

The Amazon product image now shows a 2-cell dumb USB charger (RAYPS19), but the model number is that for a 4-cell dumb charger (PS32-2BC). Be careful while placing your order.

Buy Rayovac Rechargeable Hybrid Charger, 4-position AA/AAA Hybrid Battery Charger With 2 AA Hybrid Batte Now

This charger is perfect for you Rayovac rechargeable batteries. It does have indicator lights that give the status of the charge. I like the older style better that red LEDs since they turned off when the charge was complete. This changes the indication (steady to flashing). The batteries get quite hot when charging, but this is normal. The Rayovac rechargeables are super batteries. They hold their charge in the camera or device as well as in a zip lock bag inside my camera bag unlike other NiCd type batteries. I only use these types of batteries now in my Canon i5is and the associated Canon flash, and I also use them in a set of noise canceling headphones (AAA). The storage lifetime and use lifetime is exceptional. The charger can charge AAA or AA and even paired mixes of each kind (e.g., 2 x AAA and 2 x AA).

Read Best Reviews of Rayovac Rechargeable Hybrid Charger, 4-position AA/AAA Hybrid Battery Charger With 2 AA Hybrid Batte Here

These are supposed to be great batteries but shipping is ridiculous.

I can't justify the crazy rates.