should i buy Tenergy Centura AA Low Self-Discharge reviews

Features and Benefits * High quality AA Size 2000mAh rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery, top of line. * combines all the features of the alkaline battery (Ready to Use) with the benefits of rechargeable battery * Very slow self discharge maintains 85% residual capacity after 1 year of storage and 70% residual capacity after 2 years of storage * Exact replacement for standard AA size battery in all the devices * Provides ultra long use time per charge with this super high 2000mAh capacity for AA size * Advanced Ni-MH technology means twice longer use life per charge than the ordinary rechargeables * Designed for enhanced performance for high drain applications such as digital cameras, CD players, portable audio devices, hand held games, 2-way radios, PDAs, and other portable high drain digital electronics * Can be recharged for up to 1000 times, providing big saving by replacing hundreds of throw away AA batteries. * Convenient operation without memory effect. Can be charged anytime. * Can be rapidly charged with any quick charger, smart chargers, plug in charger or universal chargers * Weight per cell 1oz * 6 months warranty * Battery tested based on International Electronic Commission (IEC) standard to ensure capacity, quality and life time Broad Application Tenergy Low Self-Discharge (LSD) Battery - the only battery you will ever need, One battery for all applications. Tenergy Low Self-Discharge (LSD) Battery is the right battery for all your applications. It replaces disposable batteries in Remote controls, Cameras Clocks and alarm-clocks Electric torches, Radios, LCD-TVs Toothbrushes Shavers Flashlights Toys, MP3-Players Electronic games Computer-keyboards und mice. # Tenergy is not associated with Sanyo Corporation. # Eneloop is trademarks of Sanyo Corporation. The product description of this item makes many similar claims as the original . The manufacturer even provided several charts, showing performance of Tenergy Centura to be nearly identical to that of Sanyo eneloop.

Frankly, I don't have much confidence in Tenergy products. But the present low price (30% less compared to eneloop) is just too hard to resist. So here are my test results, using my old
- Right out of the package, the average remaining charge measured was only 520mAh, or 26% of the rated capacity of '2000mAh'. In comparison, Sanyo eneloop typically arrives with ~75% of rated capacity.
- After the first recharge, two cells reached ~1250mAh, while the other two reached ~2100mAh. I'm surprised to see this discrepancy, because it never happened to other name-brand LSD cells I have tested.
- After the second recharge, all four cells reached ~2100mAh. Subsequent charge/discharge cycles gave average capacity of 2108mAh. This is very similar to the capacity of Sanyo eneloop.

It will take a few more months before I can have any long-term self-discharge data. As of right now, the Tenergy Centura seems to perform as well as advertised - at least after two full discharge/recharge cycles. So I consider Tenergy Centura to be a good low-cost alternative to Sanyo eneloop. But for mission-critical applications, I will still trust eneloop over all other brands.Make sure you shop around for the best unit-price. Presently the I followed the advice in the review by NLee the Engineer and charged them in my LaCrosse charger when I got them and they have help up very well. We have walkie talkies that are on 24 hours a day and recharge the batteries every couple days so they get a lot of use. package is actually more expensive than three 4-pack, after you factor in shipping cost.

[Update on Sep 24, 2011]
Long term self-discharge data: After 3 months in storage, a pair of Tenergy Centurs AA cells retained 1770mAh, or 84.3% of original capacity. This number by it self looks great. But a disturbing finding is that, after two more charge/discharge cycles, the average capacity is now just 2015mAh, or 4% lower than what I measured before. I have observed this kind of capacity reduction previously in off-brand precharged cells (such as, but never in Sanyo eneloop cells.

[Update on Nov 27, 2011]
Tested another pair of Centura AA cells after 5 months in storage. The results are similar: They retained 81.0% of original capacity, but their new average capacity dropped by 4% to only 2030mAh.

New bottom line:
I have little confidence in the long-term reliability of those Tenergy Centura cells. They are only worth considering if you can get them at significant saving over name-brand precharged cells. I purchased . These batteries are doing great for my first month using them. I use them in my Sony portable CD player to listen to books and they are much better than the Energizer Rechargeable batteries that I had been using. Plus they have held their charge longer than the Energizers. I guess the LSD[Low Self Discharge]is responsible for this. I, also, purchased the for my MP3 Player and use 1 battery in it (again listening to books)and 3 in my books light. They are doing better than expected. The AAA is holding it's charge very well...changing the battery every 24-26 hours of play for the MP3 player and changed it out after 6 nights in the books light (which I am using as a portable night light while staying with my daughter and new baby). I could have gotten more time out of the book light, however, the light was starting to get a little dim and I chose to change it out rather than see exactly how long it would take to wear it down completely. I am EXTREMELY satisfied with these products, especially since I read such poor reviews on the regular Tenergy batteries. The Centura has exceeded my expectations and the price made it well worth it. With that being said, I have only had these batteries for a month or so and can't comment on the long term wear of them. I can say that in this month, I have put them through their paces and the ear plugs in my ears....(two babies in the house, a 17 month old & 15 day old and when one cries the other picks up on it, so Grandma has the MP3 player or CD with books going 24 hours a day in one ear and the other ear listening to babies)I'm pleased to say the batteries haven't failed me yet!!! I hope that long term is the same.