Ready 2 Go ?

I've been using these new "Ready 2 Go" batteries for some time now, in my opinion this is the future of rechargeable batteries.

When you get them they are already charged, pop them in and fire up your camera or whatever and you'll get just as long as you would expect.
Due to the new technology in the batteries they are ideal for low use applications like remote controls or similar where normal rechargeable batteries would self discharge before you got much use from them.

We have a multimedia PC keyboard for example, normal rechargeables are almost useless as you need to charge them up almost every time, give them a week or two idle and they run down.
The same goes for battery packs like Wii remotes, unless you put them back on their cradles they self discharge and your back with normal batteries.

These ones though, charge them up and pop them inside something or just put them in a container to one side, 3 or 6 months later take then out and put them in the item you want to use them in and they are still charged.
Effectively you get the convenience of alkaline batteries with the cost savings of rechargeable.

Other advantages are the ability to retain charge even at low temperatures and better hi current ability.

Sanyo call their version"eneloop" - http://www.eneloop.info/home/technology.html, the ones I use are Camlink batteries as they are about 50% cheaper.

Although I get my batteries from "Bupak" - http://www.budpak.co.uk
I found our local Home Bargains store selling 2 x 2100mah batteries with a charger for just £2.99, not bad when I paid £5.99 for 4 batteries.

If you need flexible power handling and have a mix of low and high demand products then these are the future, I no longer use my 2800mah high performance batteries as amazing as it seems these ones last longer.

I can charge them, put them in a torch, use them then transfer to something like an Xbox controller and use them, then put them away for a month, take them out and they are good to go.

Its all a bit technical how they work but the Sanyo site has the technology papers on etc, all I know is that these batteries work from the moment you open the pack or several months after you originally charged them - apparently they still retain most of their charge 12 months later even though you have not used them.