NiMh batteries

[peej]

I have gathered a decent collection of NiMh batteries from different manufacturers. I figured since there is always the question of "What battery should I get" that pops up I would shoot a review of 3 of mine. Feel free to add your opinions on other packs or disagree with my opinion. These ARE just MY opinions.

My setup: Pretty much stock with a Mamba Max ESC and a 4600 motor.

Tenergy 6 Cell 4200 mah

Purchased at: allbattery.com on Ebay
Price paid: $70.00 for 2 packs and charger

Pro: Good initial power
Complete stater package
cheap price

Con: Both packs lost power after 10 or so charges
Charger only chargers at 1.8 amps
Disappointing performance for a 4200

These started out good, then started getting weak after a short time. Not really worth the money unless you plan on rarely running your Slash. Charger is bare bones.

It gets 2 smileys: ;D ;D

Venom 6 cell 3300 mah (I have 2 packs)
Purchased at : LHS (available on-line)
Price paid: $25.00 each

Pro: Good price
Good run time
Comes with Traxxas connector installed

Con: 1 pack lost a cell after 3 charges (LHS replaced it)
The 2 packs perform vastly different, both have good run
time, one has WAY more punch than the other

Not bad packs for bashing, I got these for "Box stock" racing (later on we all got power hungry and went Mod racing with BL)
These are not matched racing cells so some variance in performance must be expected. The price reflects that these are bashing packs.

Due to the bad pack I can only give 2.5 smileys ;D ;D

Intellect Battery 7 cell 4200 by SMC

Purchased at: hopmeup on Ebay
Price paid: $50.00

Pro: Great run time
Consistent power delivery charge after charge
Lots of punch
Traxxas connector installed

Con: Plastic packaging is showing wear

These are my mod class race pack. I can get 2 5 minute heats on a single charge with no loss in performance. Can handle getting hot with no negative effects (so far). The plastic is showing wear, this may be more due to asinine driving than material durability.

I give these puppies 4 smileys ;D ;D ;D ;D

Remember these are MY opinions, polite disagreement won't hurt my feelings . Looking forward to hearing from other Slashers about their packs.

[Rob #28]

Good review. I am sure it will help a lot of people out.

[PapaGriz]

Could you explain your rating system?
You gave 2 smilies to batteries that died after 10 charges, seems like the product is crap and that should be 0 smilies in my book.

Just curious what your method is. If I see you give 2 smilies should I consider that product to be crap?

[peej]

Welllll..the ratings system is just a gag really. BUT since I really should put some parameters for it here it goes:

0 - product totally defective and potentially harmful to your equipment or personal self
1 - product is defective or does not function as advertised
2 - product has very short lifespan or manufacturing deficiencies
3 - product is average example: for chassis upgrades: is it better than stock?
4 - product exceeds expectations and is a good value for the price
5 - product greatly exceeds expectations, the price is a steal, and it makes you feel warm and fuzzy all over

I guess I should add a beer system to let people know how many I've had when I write these things!!

[PapaGriz]

Cool, thanks man. I'll remember the beer thing, that's a good system. ;D