Thanks for the input.
Mitch could you specify which of the companies own each other? It is indeed an interesting topic.
I know Gregg's battery test and his webpage (I own a TB-6) like the back of my hand. The test results were one reason why I went for NiCd in the first place. My batteries A/B TrimPacs are dying know after 3 year and I didn?t get a decent cycle life out of them. A NiCd cells is able to deliver over 2000 cycles under labor conditions. Well, transferring this to the real world it still should be 800 to 1000. Taking high density cells (mostly used now) it should be 400 to 700 with good treatment and regarding the application or C-rate. Check out this link. Maybe I didn?t treated my batts not well enough but I went for those because this chemistry doesn?t need cushioning like a NiMH or early Li-Ion batts. Long story short I got under 100 cycles out of mien. Not much. 3 years, 100 cycles? I know it sounds odd. I started with steadicam 4 years ago I own my equipment a bit longer than 3 years now and in the beginning it takes a while to get in the biz. So except for daily practicing and annoying your girl friend and the neighbors, things collect dust. Now I?m settled a bit and I?m lucky to work a lot in this profession, those dam batteries die on me. Time for a change.
Markus who is your battery guru? Could he share some knowledge? I don?t agree with you on this charger slave thing. IDX, Sony and Swit batteries are compatible. It is possible to charge IDX on Sony or Swit and the other way.
It is not possible to charge Swit, IDX and Sony on PAG or A/B chargers and vice versa. And PAG used to be a open battery system. You could charge any battery (NiCd or NiMH) on a PAG charger. PAG and A/B do it a different way. You are right there are electronics in every Li-Ion batt because this chemistry needs protection circuits for charge and discharge. But the way it is done is very different.
Benjamin