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(More customer reviews)When I first saw the product description of Rayovac Platinum LSD NiMH AA, my immediate reaction was: "Oh no! Not ANOTHER new wrapper for the same old Rayovac Hybrid!". After all, that's exactly what Rayovac did last year for the so-called Rayovac 4.0 cells. But after examining this package more carefully, it turns out to be not the case.
First encouraging sign: unlike the case with 'Rayovac 4.0' cells, those 'Platinum' LSD cells actually have their capacity number printed on each cell (2100mAh for AA, 800mAh for AAA).
I measured those Rayovac Platinum AA cells upon arrival using my La Crosse BC-900, and they contain about 87% of their rated capacity. After two discharge/recharge cycles, their average capacity reached 2095mAh. This performance is very consistent with that of the old Rayovac Hybrid AA cells. However, by comparing the shapes of their (+) and (-) terminals, I can tell that the 'Platinum' cells are indeed different from 'Rayovac Hybrid' and 'Rayovac 4.0' cells. (Check out my Customer Image and judge for yourself)
Rayovac claims that the Platinum's charge retention rate is same as previous generation Rayovac LSD cells: 80% after 6 months, 60% after 12 months. In contrast, Sanyo claims the eneloop can retain 85% charge after 12 months. My own testing has shown that this claim is accurate.
One disturbing sign is that: Rayovac states that the lifespan of new Platinum cell is only '275 cycles', while previously it was '500 cycles' for the old Rayovac Hybrid.
In summary, the new Rayovac 'Platinum' LSD cell is not any better than the old 'Hybrid', yet it may suffer from shorter lifespan. As of this moment, it is being sold at a much higher price than Rayovac Hybrid and Sanyo eneloop, so it is just not a good value.
[Update on Oct 16, 2010]
Long-term self-discharge test: after 3 months sitting on the shelf, a pair of Rayovac Platinum AA cells retained 83% of original capacity. This is slightly worse than the rate for old Rayovac Hybrid, whcih typically can retain 85% after 5 months.
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