For those not happy with Nimh batteries. The problems of initial break in and holding a charge have not been well documented. I myself was not happy with them until I learned what was needed from the start to get them up to par.
They have a heavy internal restance that needs to be exersized before they will hold a good charge. I have found that a new pack needs to be cycled very slowly from full to empty several times before they will come up to full capacity. And I mean very slowly, it may take a full week or so of charging and discharging to get them where they need to be, but as Don F. and others have said, once you get them up properly they will last what seems like for ever.
The charge/dis charge cycle should be as slow as possible. I use 16 to 20 hour charge times always, this seems to max the capacity and will give the pack longevity. Fast charging Nimh's is not the way to go. You can do it to get by at the pond but always go back to the shop and slowly bring them back up.
I recomend a full 6 to 10 cycles for conditioning a new pack. I know that sounds like a bunch but it works!
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