Rechargeable CR2 Batteries

[theadvocate_ivan]

I was about to buy a rechargeable battery for my GX3 yesterday but was told by the vendor that rechargeable batteries reach 4V if fully charged. I asked for the repercussion for having a fully charged battery and he said that it depends on the unit. Some electronic items could not take that much of voltage and could explode.

 

My question now is first, is this true for rechargeable batteries to go more than the stated voltage when fully charged? Second, anyone have experience with rechargeable CR2 batteries in their rangefinders (whether bushnell or leupold)?

 

Thanks!

[misterlau]

Sorry I can't help you with the whole rechargeable thing, but if this is your first rangefinder, I just wanted to point out that the CR2 are most commonly used in cameras, and last a really long time in the rangefinder. Unless you're playing literally every single day, it'll probably last you at least a year, and I'm betting you'll forget where you put that charger well before it dies.

[Stuart_G]

In the case of Ni-cad rechargables vs alkaline, it's usually the other way around (rechargable's ended up less than the alkaline) but I wouldn't be surprised at all if the lithium recharables could exceed the non-recharbable voltages - it would all really depend on the specs of the particular battery and charger. It's real easy to test the actual voltage after you pull it from a charger (voltmeter's are real cheap).

[quote]Some electronic items could not take that much of voltage and could explode.[/quote]

Well you can burn out circuits and ruin the device - but "explode" is a bit of an exaggeration.

[YMark]

You can purchase CR2 batteries on Amazon for cheap. I bought 6 and keep them in my golf bag. Easier than rechargable.

[theadvocate_ivan]

Thank you for all the responses! Unfortunately, I have limited access to cheap CR2 batteries as I am based in the Philippines. The cost of disposable CR2 is not that much thought but i just thought buying rechargeable is more practical and greener (somehow).

I play about 10-12 times a month, a CR2 battery last me about 4 months.

i don't know much about electronics but I found the explosion a bit exaggerated With this, I would rather prefer undervoltage than go over so as not to put my rangefinder at risk.

[xxio]

Ivan I have the same problem.

Another issue for me is that CR2s are not as readily available. I don't like going to the mall, looking/paying for parking for a $5 battery. All in all it probably costs me P350/$8 to pick up a battery.

I am planning to buy the 6pack CR2 thing when my sister sends something from the US. I just haven't had time to sort out this voltage thing whenever I'm about to purchase.

[theadvocate_ivan]

Toby, I didn't realize that CR2 are that expensive there.

They cost here P220/each for Panasonic and P190/each for the Energizer plus parking of P20 (about $5-6). In my experience, the energizer runs out of juice easily. There are rechargeable ones here, batteries cost P610 then the charger is I think P1,200 or so.

When will your sister fly in from the US? Would you like me to buy a couple for you and bring them over next month?

[Shambles]

I didn't know those batteries had a short lifespan. I have not yet changed mine in over three years but frankly, I rarely used the rangefinder except to get a better look at the hot girl in the other fairway because it took too much time. These days I use a GPS simply because it's lighter and a lot faster. My GPS has a recharge function but I prefer to change batteries because disposables can leak when recharged and China makes some really cheap batteries that I buy 24 at a time.


Shambles

[xxio]

Ivan, they are the same pricing.

The P350 price I was quoting was the hassle of driving down to the mall (gas and parking) just for a P220 battery. I thoroughly dislike going to the mall.

The thing is unlike cameras, rangefinders do not show how much battery life is left. During the Coral Tee last week I had pretty good round going then batteries went dead on the 11th hole. Round sort of went dead too. I used to keep a spare battery in my bag but I lost it/fell out.

I used to be pretty decent eyeing yardage. However when you hit 40 your eyes start deteriorating really quick.

[Double K]

[quote name='YMark' timestamp='1358877038' post='6277033']
You can purchase CR2 batteries on Amazon for cheap. I bought 6 and keep them in my golf bag. Easier than rechargable.
[/quote]

Have you had any experience with the non name brands?

[larrybud]

Man, I go through probably 5-6 a season, easy. As others have mentioned Amazon, of course in the Philippines I'm not sure of your options.

I generally can get them for about $2.50 a piece when I buy in bulk.

[Hateto3Putt]

I Bought THIS CHARGER with included batteries for about $20 on Amazon.

 

I've been using these batteries in my Bushnell V2 for the past 7 months with no issues.

 

The batteries seem to last longer than the disposables, and the way my V2 eats batteries, at $7-$8 apiece, I've probably saved double the cost of this unit. I carry both batteries with me (one in unit, one in case) and just replace them on the fly and recharge the dead one when I get home.

 

Highly recommend over disposables.

 

[Double K]

Do the CR123A batteries work in the Bushnells?

[Hateto3Putt]

[quote name='Double K' timestamp='1411142297' post='10147609']
Do the CR123A batteries work in the Bushnells?
[/quote]

Gotta say... I don 't know.

I just went out to my car and looked at the battery in my Bushnell V2. My charger (which I linked from my Amazon purchases) came with the CR2 batteries. I guess Amazon (or the manufacturer) changed the device and it now includes the CR123 style.

Here's one with rechargeable CR2's. [url="http://www.amazon.com/Watson-Charger-CR123A-Lithium-Batteries/dp/B00HCQFPKA/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1411147968&sr=1-15&keywords=cr2+rechargeable+battery+and+charger"]LINK[/url]

[larrybud]

[quote name='Double K' timestamp='1411142297' post='10147609']
Do the CR123A batteries work in the Bushnells?
[/quote]

No, different physical size.

[phil75070]

I just bought 10 CR2's on eBay for just under $20 plus free shipping. I play 5 days / week, weather permitting, and probably use 4 to 5 a year.

[Shambles]

Yo Ivan !!

It just came to me that a reasonably long time ago I checked out rechargeable batteries, cheap penlights I bought at Ruins, and got a voltage measurement BELOW the 1.5 it was supposed to be at. I bought it to help my neice with some toy she was playing all the time. If memory serves, that is normally the case and it's alright because electronics normally have a range of operation with voltage, but can continue to work accurately. Batteries lose voltage as a sign they are losing their charge and the end result is that the battery dies more quickly if it starts at a lower voltage. My car battery, with the alternator on, runs at 13.6 to 13.8 and that tells me it has a very long life ahead provided I don't overwhelm it with accessories. When the voltage goes down to 12 I look for a convenient date within the next couple of months because it's going to be dead soon.

I doubt your rechargeable is going to be attached to your battery while in your rangefinder so I'm pretty sure you'll just be finding yourself recharging more often than you expected and not be exploding anything. Besides, explosions actually only sometimes happen when regular batteries are plugged into the recharger and they actually just leak their insides out and mess up the battery slot, not truly explode. A very slow explosion at best.



Shambles

[daMANiack]

Hi,

When purchasing re-chargeable CR2 batteries and charger for your range finder, make sure the CR2 battery is a 3.0v and charger can charge at nominal 3.0v, it probably will give a finished charging voltage of 3.6v which is still safe.

I've researched for many months and have finished up purchasing:
[list]
[*]LifePO4 3.0v CR2 rechargeable batteries
[*]CR2 charger that has selectable 3.0v / 3.7v switch
[/list]
When I've received my ordered items, I'll be selling on eBay Australia:[list]
[*]
[left][i][b][size="4"][color="#ff0000"]UltraFire UF-726 CR2 charger (selectable 3.0v (LFP) and 3.7v (LIB) charging)[/color][/size][/b][/i][/left]
[*]
[left][i][b][size="4"][color="#ff0000"]2x SoShine CR2 LifePO4 (LFP) 15270 3.0v 400mAh batteries (tested 350mAH by supplier)[/color][/size][/b][/i][/left]
[*]
[left][i][b][size="4"][color="#ff0000"]1x Clear plastic box for CR2 batteries storage[/color][/size][/b][/i][/left]
[*]
[left][i][b][size="4"][color="#ff0000"]1x USB WALL CHARGER - AU and US plugs included[/color][/size][/b][/i][/left]
[*]
[left][i][b][size="4"][color="#ff0000"]1x USB CAR CHARGER - 2 port[/color][/size][/b][/i][/left]
[*]
[left][i][b][size="4"][color="#ff0000"]1x USB > micro USB cable[/color][/size][/b][/i][/left]
[/list]
[left]for about A$34.50 + shipping.[/left]

[left]Just do your research first, if you use rechargeable 3.6v CR2's and charge at 3.6/3.7v, you could find the finished charge voltage to be more like 4.2v and could damaged delicate electronics.[/left]

[left]Cheerz [/left]

[GolfGrouch]

Hi,

 

When purchasing re-chargeable CR2 batteries and charger for your range finder, make sure the CR2 battery is a 3.0v and charger can charge at nominal 3.0v, it probably will give a finished charging voltage of 3.6v which is still safe.

 

I've researched for many months and have finished up purchasing:

• LifePO4 3.0v CR2 rechargeable batteries
  
• CR2 charger that has selectable 3.0v / 3.7v switch
  

...

 

What model charger and batteries did you buy? Do they work well?