I still think it's a good deal. $1.35 per battery for low discharge is a good price. Sure, they're no longer selling the Eneloop clones, but I'd wager that only the most intense of battery fanatics could tell the difference in real-world use.
yugimama
Member
posted: Nov. 10, 2009 @ 2:43a
The batteries without the charger are still white tops at my Costco. Never hurts to check!
modestninja said: yugimama said: The batteries without the charger are still white tops at my Costco. Never hurts to check!
Same thing at my local Costco. White tops in the non-charger pack, black tops on the charger packs.
You guys are lucky. Mine only has the black tops in both packs. They do have a crap-ton of them though. I may max out the 10-item limit on the coupon...
ChoppedBroccoli
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 10, 2009 @ 2:15p
Yup I purchased these last week at my costco and said made in japan and were white tops in the non charger package. Never hurts to check. Looks like I'll have to do a return rebuy!
At Costco Plano West today (Texas), both packs have black tops. I think the charger packs are about $20, and the other pack $18.50, but I might not remember exactly.
Wouldn't be surprised if things change for the 12th. Ive no idea how good the black top batteries are or aren't.
My Costco still has the Eneloop deal for $19.99. Right next to it is Duracell package of 8AA & 2AAA for $18.49 without a charger and without adapters for C & D. The Duracells have white tops. So, they're Eneloops. An extra $1.50 is worth it to get the charger and adapters in the Eneloop pack. Even at $6.50 more for a 10-pack, adapters and better charger, I think the Eneloop is a better deal. Unless of course you have no need for the charger and adapters, then the 10-pack Duracells will save you $6.50.
ParatoOptimal said: My Costco still has the Eneloop deal for $20. Right next to it is a copper top package of 8AA & 2AAA for $18 without a charger. Just to be clear, the discussion about white/black top is not the "copper" colored part. If you look at the batteries from above (+ side) the actual battery underneath is either white or black. White indicates re-branded Sanyo Eneloop (made in Japan). Black indicates something else (made in China)
The packaging of the batteries says Japan, but the batteries with black tops say "made in China" on the side. I can post pictures if people need proof.
So is it worth just buying eneloop batteries? If they are that much better, would it be worth it to just spend teh extra money and get the good ones?
I ask because my son is now at the age where his toys use batteries and we are starting to go through them rather quickly.
Thanks
ChoppedBroccoli
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 11, 2009 @ 11:09a
AchillesPDX said: The packaging of the batteries says Japan, but the batteries with black tops say "made in China" on the side. I can post pictures if people need proof.
Yup, thats the best way to find out.
(1) Look at the batteries - are they white or black tops? (2) Look at the fine print ON each individual battery (hopefully one of them should be turned the right way and visible in the packaging) - does it say made in Japan? (3) Look at the packaging - does is say made in Japan?
If all 3 say made in Japan, I'd be pretty confident they are Eneloop clones.
ChoppedBroccoli
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 11, 2009 @ 11:14a
chocula said: So is it worth just buying eneloop batteries? If they are that much better, would it be worth it to just spend teh extra money and get the good ones?
I ask because my son is now at the age where his toys use batteries and we are starting to go through them rather quickly.
Thanks
Is it worth it to buy the eneloops? Well if you find Duracell's that are actually made in Japan at your Costco, then probably not. There isn't much more of a straightforward deal for eneloops/eneloop clones than this right now.
If they are blacktops/made in China, then yeah I'd say hold out for eneloops.
One interesting consideration I've heard lately: Durcaell made a mistake in that they really didnt make a big enough distinction on the individual battery packaging between their regular batteries and their pre-charged rechargeables. If someone who doesn't know what they are notices the batteries are discharged they might just throw them away thinking they are alkalines. The eneloops have the very distinctive white packaging which is nice.
SWEET! On a whim I decided to go out of my way to the Hillsboro, OR Costco... BAM! White-topped batteries! Time to stock up for all my Rokenbok vehicles! This is officially a steal!
The charger combo batteries are black top and made in China. The Battery only pack are white tops and made in Japan. I just bought each pack Costco in King of Prussia, PA.
Elbandido: Not always. My Costco had several boxes of black top battery only packages and a few boxes of white tops. You just have to check which ones you're getting.
AchillesPDX said: Elbandido: Not always. My Costco had several boxes of black top battery only packages and a few boxes of white tops. You just have to check which ones you're getting.
AchillesPDX said: SWEET! On a whim I decided to go out of my way to the Hillsboro, OR Costco... BAM! White-topped batteries! Time to stock up for all my Rokenbok vehicles! This is officially a steal!
would 2nd the motion! got 4 packs!
clar
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 13, 2009 @ 1:37p
Pentagon city costco has white tops for battery only packs
chocula said: So is it worth just buying eneloop batteries? If they are that much better, would it be worth it to just spend teh extra money and get the good ones?
I ask because my son is now at the age where his toys use batteries and we are starting to go through them rather quickly.
Thanks
I think so. Eneloop are the best recharagables I've ever owned and Sanyo offers rock solid support for their product.
dadaddyindanatty said: I think so. Eneloop are the best recharagables I've ever owned and Sanyo offers rock solid support for their product. When do you get support for an Eneloop battery? Does Sanyo replace duds for customers?
Meyers03
New Member
posted: Nov. 14, 2009 @ 6:28a
I only have a Sam's Club membership... does Costco let you purchase without buying a membership for a surcharge? I remember something about Sam's Club allowing people to try them for a one day pass and charging them an extra 10% or so.
Thornton, CO has a ton of the "8-pack + charger" with white tops. I could find none of the 10-packs without the charger, however...too bad, I have enough Eneloop chargers already.
Sterling VA, batteries only are white tops and they had plenty in stock as of 11/14
SantiClaws
Member
posted: Nov. 14, 2009 @ 10:49p
I'm 90% sure the black tops are Rayovac Hybrids, which are no worse than the eneloops.
chelonian
Member
posted: Nov. 15, 2009 @ 4:05p
Richmond CA has the 10 packs with both black tops and white tops. The cardboard for both says Japan and has the same UPC, but the overprinted lot number on the back is different. I did't check to see if the blacktops had 'made in China' on the individual batteries.
TheSaint said: Does anyone have a link explaining what makes the white tops better than the black tops?
white tops are re-branded Eneloops (made in Japan) best pre-charged batteries on the market!!! / black tops are Duracell pre-charged batteries (made in China) good (if you don't know what Sanyo's Eneloops are!)!
ChoppedBroccoli said: Yup I purchased these last week at my costco and said made in japan and were white tops in the non charger package. Never hurts to check. Looks like I'll have to do a return rebuy!
If you bought them less than 2 weeks ago they usually will just refund the coupon value. Take it to CS (you have to go there anyway) and see if they will do the coupon trick without the return/rebuy. Better for the envorionment if you opened them, because costco will just RTV them if they are opened...
osv1 said: well, no, you really can't conclude much of anything from that testing, for a number of reasons:
1) that testing was posted in january of 2007, so the data is nearly three years old. 2) the rayovacs in that test were rated at 2100mah, while the black tops from costco are rated at 2000mah.
so it's reasonable to assume that we are talking about an entirely different set of batteries.
i'd also guess that both eneloops and rayovacs are classified as hybrids, so the "eneloop" brand name isn't a defining factor.
What does the age of the test have to do with anything if the chemistry of the batteries hasn't changed? That same thread at Candlepowerforums has posts from this year saying the Eneloops hold 85% of their charge after one year.
If you search through that Candlepower forum, you'll see that Eneloops (and their clones: Duracell made in Japan white-tops, Sony CycleEnergy) perform better than any of the other Chinese made LSD cells.
Like poohbie said earlier in this thread, more white cells for those who care
Disclaimer: By providing links to other sites, FatWallet.com does not guarantee, approve or endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to FatWallet.com.
Members of our community may attach files to a post in accordance with the User Agreement. FatWallet is not responsible for the content, accuracy, completeness or validity of any information contained in any attached file. Files have *not* been scanned for viruses. Be especially wary of Excel files which may contain malicious content.
