Battery recommendation

[Euan Uzami]

Best batteries:
Jessops Nimh Bat AA 2700MAH P4 - Jessops
I reckon i got over 25 hours run time out of a fairly new, fully charged pair in my etrex vista hcx.
How much that performance will degrade over time with repeated charging remains to be seen.

Compare that to a pair of duracells which I reckon lasted probably no more than 16 hours.

[Greenbank]

Ansmann rechargeables from Rechargeable Batteries | Battery Chargers | Camera Batteries | Battery Charger | Camera Battery | Rechargeable Battery

£13 for 4 but I got them in a BOGOF deal with a battery charger so even better value.

[fuaran]

£14 for 4 is a bit expensive.
I'm happy with batteries from Vapextech, about £5 for 4: Vapextech UK Ltd High Power Consumer Batteries
I'm using the "Instant" low self-discharge versions, which are rated at 2100mAh. I've not timed it exactly, but they easily last at least 20 hours in my eTrex.

[Thor]

Sanyo Eneloop.  Do not be deterred by the 2000mAh rating - because they hardly self-discharge at all, they are, IME, superior to batteries with higher ratings.

I have an old digital camera which has ferocious power consumption - but I can shoot all day with 4 Eneloops.

[rogerzilla]

I use the Maplin hybrid ones.  They last about 24 hours with the backlight full on (which you probably never do) and don't really self-discharge.