Re: Sanyo eneloop at Costco

Bill Tuthill wrote:
SMS <scharf.steven@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
It's a trade-off to build a low self-discharge cell in terms of both manufacturing cost and capacity. Sanyo believed that users would pay a higher price and accept lower capacity, in exchange for lower self-discharge. If they can educate the general public on the benefits, then they may be right.

I believe the principal effect of the new Eneloop and Hybrid batteries
will be higher sales of digicams that accept standard AA batteries.

Before, there were two big advantages of proprietary lithium ion batteries:
small form factor, and long charge period. Now there's only one advantage.
Considered against the disadvantages of high cost, lousy availability, and
relatively short lifespan, the choice is clear.

I doubt it, because the manufacturer always wants to make things smaller.

Additionally, while self-discharge and size were the principle disadvantages of NiMH batteries, there are many more disadvantages that apply to enough purchasers that a switch back to AA batteries is highly unlikely. Many purchasers may not realize the advantages, but manufacturers are fully aware of them. Manufacturers like to make products that are usable by the greatest number of people in the greatest number of countries under the greatest number of circumstances. They also worry about warranty costs. All this is to the advantage of Li-Ion or Li-Po packs.

On the other hand, it would be a big cost savings to the manufacturer if they could just tell the user 'go buy some low self-discharge batteries and a charger.' This is what they currently do on the low end P&S non-ultra-compact cameras, and a handful of higher end P&Ss like the Canon S5.

Steve
"http://batterydata.com";
.

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