Maha Powerex C9000 Wizard One versus Lacrosse Technology BC1000 Alpha battery charger

[Hot Brass]

Hi: This will be my first "real" battery charger to accompany my first "real"flashlight (Fenix TK41),so I have two I am looking at that's on my radar to buy,one is the Maha Powerex C9000 Wizard One and the other is the cheaper Lacrosse Technology BC1000. Not looking to get too involved in the charging process,just something that will charge my batts when I need them.
The Powerex had caught my eye for the longest time,then I found the Lacrosse,which I thought was easier to operate,plus a few bucks cheaper,which helps a bit after just dropping around $160.00 on a flashlight!
Which one would you pick for your first 'real' charger?
All I will be charging are AA batts for my flashlight and maybe a few AAA's for my t.v. remotes! Thanks,Hot Brass

[Shadowww]

I'd pick C9000, simply because it's the best charger for individual AA/AAA-sized NiMH batteries.

[Hot Brass]

I'd pick C9000, simply because it's the best charger for individual AA/AAA-sized NiMH batteries.

Thanks! I can get this C9000 charger combined with 8 Maha Powerex 2700 mAh AA's or should I just go for the charger itself and get some extra Eneloops after?Are these Powerex batts just as good or better than the Eneloops? Thanks,Hot Brass

[Wrend]

I use a couple of the C9000s, so naturally that's what I've picked and would recommend.

The C9000 isn't difficult to use at all really, so that shouldn't be a determining factor.

...

I primarily just use the regular current "1500" cycle Eneloops.

[michelkenny]

Thanks! I can get this C9000 charger combined with 8 Maha Powerex 2700 mAh AA's or should I just go for the charger itself and get some extra Eneloops after?Are these Powerex batts just as good or better than the Eneloops? Thanks,Hot Brass

The Powerex batteries are not low self discharge, they will lose the bulk of their capacity when sitting idle after a period of time. What you want to compare with Eneloops are the Maha Imedion batteries. The only difference I can tell between Eneloops and Imedion are capacity, Imedion being a bit higher (2400 mah).

[march.brown]

Thanks! I can get this C9000 charger combined with 8 Maha Powerex 2700 mAh AA's or should I just go for the charger itself and get some extra Eneloops after?Are these Powerex batts just as good or better than the Eneloops? Thanks,Hot Brass

I have recently bought the C9000 and for everyday AA use (in my case Eneloops), I just put the four batteries in and leave the charger to its own devices ... After a few seconds , the charger starts charging at 1000mA which is ideal for batteries of this capacity ... As each cell is charged , the word "DONE" appears on the LCD screen ... For two more hours the charger drops to 100mA (topoff charge) then drops again to 10mA (maintenance charging current) ... I make a note of the time when the last "DONE" is shown and leave the charger for just over two hours more ... It is a wonderful charger that can be as complicated or as simple as you want it to be.

Standardise on Eneloops if you can.
.

[Wrend]

The Powerex batteries are not low self discharge, they will lose the bulk of their capacity when sitting idle after a period of time. What you want to compare with Eneloops are the Maha Imedion batteries. The only difference I can tell between Eneloops and Imedion are capacity, Imedion being a bit higher (2400 mah).

I haven't done testing comparing them, but I would imagine the Eneloops probably have a higher cumulative lifetime capacity potential (cycle potential times capacity potential), maintain a higher voltage during high drain rates, and have a proportionally lower self discharge rate.