*DEAD* CRAWL TO STAPLES!!! Vivitar 3725 3.3MP 4x optical zoom for 130!!! B&M

[bender151]

This is sorta off-topic, but what type of rechargable batteries are you guys using for this camera?

The batteries that came with the camera died out in under an hour! I definitely don't feel like buying a fresh pack of 4 AA batteries for every hour I want to use the camera.

I've seen a few threads on the topic, but I can't really tell which is better and more cost efficient.
1600, 1700, 1800 mAH? What's the difference? Should I really be choosing one over the other?
I know they sell a rechargable set at costco, is this ok to use?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bolido2000]

Go with 1800. Thats the highest capacity battery capacity out in the market. I did some research about the topic yesturday. Apparently Maha 1800 are the ones that last the longest. Thomas distributing sells 4 for 15 + shipping I think. I just bought 8 GP 1800 off ebay. GP are like the third best brand in the review I read. They are pretty cheap on ebay. I bought 8 for 21 dollars with shipping.

Originally posted by: bender151
This is sorta off-topic, but what type of rechargable batteries are you guys using for this camera?

The batteries that came with the camera died out in under an hour! I definitely don't feel like buying a fresh pack of 4 AA batteries for every hour I want to use the camera.

I've seen a few threads on the topic, but I can't really tell which is better and more cost efficient.
1600, 1700, 1800 mAH? What's the difference? Should I really be choosing one over the other?
I know they sell a rechargable set at costco, is this ok to use?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[chrisjor]

VTBigBear'

I have searched every Staples store in and around the city of Cincinnati, no store has even heard of the 3725. Everyone has plenty of 3665 and the ones that do not are offering rainchecks for 3665, no substitutions. Must be west coast only.

 

[unclebud]

energizer nimh 1800 8 pack with charger is at sam's for $19.99
takes overnight to charge, but one has two packs...

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: bender151
This is sorta off-topic, but what type of rechargable batteries are you guys using for this camera?

The batteries that came with the camera died out in under an hour! I definitely don't feel like buying a fresh pack of 4 AA batteries for every hour I want to use the camera.

I've seen a few threads on the topic, but I can't really tell which is better and more cost efficient.
1600, 1700, 1800 mAH? What's the difference? Should I really be choosing one over the other?
I know they sell a rechargable set at costco, is this ok to use?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

If you have a Micro Center near you they seem to have the best deal available but this may have already expired 5/19 or may expire 6/2.

The next best deal are the CostCo NiMH's you mentioned. CostCo B&M is selling all this for only $25 - $5 MIR = $20 final price:
Panasonic 5 hour charger
6 1600 mAH AA batteries
2 AAA batteries
2 C & 2 D size adapters

If you want the ultimate in NiMH rechargeable batteries get 1800 mAH's from Thomas-Distributing.com or SunnBattery.com (do a CTRL F and search for 1800 mAH). The best deal is a combo package like this which includes 8 AA 1800 mAH Gold Peak NiMH rechargeable batteries, the top rated MAHA 204F quick charger and car adapter all for only $39.95 plus shipping/handling.

I bought the Panasonic NiMH's from CostCo and I've been very pleased so far. IMHO the additional $25 isn't worth it for the 1800 mAH's unless you need absolutely the best batteries/charger. The difference is barely noticeable between 1600 and 1800 but the MAHA 204F charger is awesome. Used to have one until I sold it to my sister.

Disclaimer: I don't work for Micro Center, CostCo, Panasonic, Thomas-Distributing or SunnBattery. Some idiot in a previous thread assumed I worked for SunnBattery, just thought I'd clear the air this time.

 

[Chrono]

ugh!
i wish you posted earlier
... oh well
i have one 4 pack of 1800's, and two 4 packs of 1600's

just for back-up purposes

 

[EXman]

Anyone try this in the midwest?

Like KY?

and coupons are they all online purchases or B&M as well?

If I can use it at B&M can someone scan or tell me where to find these coupons online.

E-mail address

Thanks much

 

[BeBumbleBe]

Can someone PM me with some help with the $40 coupon ?
Thanks

 

[carmann]

EXman & BeBumble, ygpm

 

[EXman]

thanke!

is funny just found the coupon just before you pm'ed me. lost it again though but I printed it out!

 

[mcdull]

if you're looking for Nimh batteries only and don't want to wait for shipping (I want to use the camera at E3 tomorrow) or no club card, Frys has Lenmar 1800mAH (4 pack) for $9.99 (they have 1600, 1700, 1800 all at the same price, I have no idea if Lenmar is good or not but it's the cheapest at Frys), Thomas Distributing is sell it for $12.97.

Circuit City has Duracell (4 pack) 1800mAh at $11.99

From the Comparison Chart here, I don't see the MAHA Powerex is superior than others. MAHA 1600 mAH lasts shorter than Sanyo, Rayovac and Raidio Shack 1600 mAH. Basically, 1800 mAH > 1700 mAH > 1600 mAH (except MAHA 1700 is better than GP 1800 mAH).
I would like to see if anyone found other comparisions.

 

[bearauto]

Originally posted by: AznRyda
If anyone is interested here is a panoramic pic I took with the camera

Linky

I need to get to know the camera better though.

Such a cool pic...how many pics did you merge and which program did you use to do it?

 

[Cybernaut]

Picked up the 3725 tuesday at the sale price here in the San Diego area at the Staples up north
in Escondido. There may be more...didn't ask.

Sam's club here in San Diego had 8 rechargeable batteries and charger for $19.99
but they were 1700 mah not the 1800s. Still a good deal though.

 

[puppyfriend]

I have a set of those Fry's Lenmar 1800s. They work great. I also picked up a Pulse Power cell phone charger for $2.00 on closeout. These were originally $79. I soldered on a holder for 4 AAs. Works like a charm. It's a pulse charger with thermal probe. Charges 4 AAs in about 15 minutes. Not bad for $2 and 5 minutes of work.

OK, for someone looking for a 3725 in San Francisco. I'm returning one that I bought for a friend, but then he decided he didn't want it. It's brand new and still shrink wrapped. I'm leaving for the Staples Express on Van Ness now. So if you want one, they should have one in stock shortly. It's 1:35 local time right now.

David

 

[Rally1]

puppy, been a while since my last electronics class, but...

1.2V x 4 = 4.8V (although they put out upto 1.4V)

so anything you use to charge those batts needs to be more than 4.8V, but not too much more. ie 12V charger would damage the batteries.

what voltage is that phone charger running at?

 

[puppyfriend]

Rally1:

It was designed to charge a Startac cell phone. I have no idea what voltage a Startac runs at, but for $2 I decided to gamble. At first I charged a old set of AAA nicads I had lying around with a meter hooked up to it. All was well, it was at the correct voltage. In fact it works a lot like my multi voltage R/C charger. It hunts around for the correct voltage to use to charge the battery. It sends through a relatively high, 10V or so, pulse and then watches to see how the voltage drops. It takes a little bit of time for it to find the correct voltage. Then it starts charging. So if it is like my R/C charger, it should charge a range of battery packs. I don't use my R/C charger to charge these little batteries anymore. Even with it's pulse capability and temp shutoff, it pumps way too much current. It made these little batteries toasty hot in no time. The $2 cell phone charger works fine.

By the way, if you want to charge a 4.8V battery pack, you have to give it slightly more than 4.8V. Somewhere between 5-6Vs. If you only give it 4.8V it won't charge.

They had these chargers on clearance at Fry's about 1 month ago. They were also closing out a bunch of the battery stuff, particular laptop batteries. I picked up a laptop battery for $5 that originally sold for $120. I broke it apart and I got 12 2/3 AA cells out of it. Good for building an R/C battery.

David

 

[Cuke]

Well by now it seems pretty obvious this Vivitar 3725 IS INDEED a CLONE of the Minolta DiMAGE S304.

BUT, I believe there is different FIRMWARE loaded in the 2 cameras.

I picked up the 3725 at the Escondido Staples (I got there before you cybernaut, and they had 3 when I came in

I tried to get my hands on an S304 to compare, but had to settle for the .pdf manual from Minolta's website


Minolta DiMAGE S304 Owner's Manual

The Vivitar Manual is COMPLETELY generic - no reference to "Vivitar" even printed in it.

The menus and displays match, except the Minolta manual shows a sub-menu to enhance:
1.) sharpness
2.) contrast
3.) color saturation

There is no reference to this in the Vivitar manual.
There are probably other differences too, but I haven't taken the time to locate them yet.


Now if someone clever would step up to the plate and figure out a way to load S304 firmware into our 3725s

I $ee the DiMAGE 7 ha$ upgradable firmware, but none(?) of the other minoltas?

BTW: Thanks RAY for the link to the DiMAGE viewer software. I'll give it a go tonight.

 

[Rally1]

puppy said:

By the way, if you want to charge a 4.8V battery pack, you have to give it slightly more than 4.8V.

thats why i said:

so anything you use to charge those batts needs to be more than 4.8V

 

[mcdull]

Originally posted by: Cuke
The Vivitar Manual is COMPLETELY generic - no reference to "Vivitar" even printed in it.

The menus and displays match, except the Minolta manual shows a sub-menu to enhance:
1.) sharpness
2.) contrast
3.) color saturation

There is no reference to this in the Vivitar manual.
There are probably other differences too, but I haven't taken the time to locate them yet.

It might confirm that what the Vivitar guy said (quoted below) about the contrast thing.
I hope it didn't mean the Minolta CxImage Imaging Processing which should reside in the firmware.

Your perception of the two cameras is correct. I think about the only differences are in the contrast control and I think one other item ( along with a little more chrome on the Minolta's controls). Contrast is a thing that can easily be done in most third party software programs so not too important in the camera itself. Photoshop has a great control over the resulting images that is completely adjustable and better than anything you could do with the camera itself..

 

[sbq]

How do you get the $40 off $200?
I even joined Staples hoping they would
send me the coupon in email -- no luck.

 

[nikko]

Ok, first off, I'm confused. Why did some people pay $230 while others got it for $155? Second, could someone be so kind as to PM and tell me where to get the 40/200 coupon? Or could someone just forward me the e-mail they got from Staples? I dunno if they are one time use kind of things or not. Thanks.

 

[Hawk]

mcdull: Naw, the guy meant you can change it with photoshop/other graphics program. Some kind member already posted a link to get the DxImage program.

nikko: $155 is after rebate, there's a 50 rebate, and depending on how much tax and what coupon you used, the price can be from 250-200 before rebate.

 

[carmann]

nikko & sbq, ygpm

I'm surprised people don't know where to find coupons by now

 

[bolido2000]

When I tried to use a Mr Flash 256meg CF the camera threw a "Card Error" message. Are 256 CF type II??? Is 128 or 192 the max then??

 

[plex24]

Originally posted by: bolido2000
When I tried to use a Mr Flash 256meg CF the camera threw a "Card Error" message. Are 256 CF type II??? Is 128 or 192 the max then??

I got the same problem. I thought the card is defective and requested RMA but I don't know what I am gonna do now. I think the card is incompatible because SimpleTech 256 works just fine. I guess I should ask for different brand.