Rechargeable Battery question; NiMH or NiCD?

[speeder]

I need a new battery for my Stinger Streamlight rechargeable flashlight and I seem to have a choice between these two, both factory OEM. There is zero info that I can find on their website, (after a wasted 10 minutes looking), I am simply looking on eBay and both types are available.

Which do I want and why? Thanks as always.

[Tervuren]

NiCD can pack a higher energy density in the same volume. Both have similar discharge curves.

[RF5BPilot]

Typical, cheap NiCD's do get a memory effect. It's not supposed to happen with current generation NiCD's, but I have several devices from the last few years that use them and periodically have to run them to essentially dead to be able to get a proper charge in them. I prefer NiMH.

[mikester]

For a flashlight unless it's going to be stored on a charger NiCds hold a charge over time better.

Nimh are lighter but if left to sit they lose their charge.

Both kind of suck really.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by mikester

For a flashlight unless it's going to be stored on a charger NiCds hold a charge over time better.

Nimh are lighter but if left to sit they lose their charge.

Both kind of suck really.

Thanks to all of you. This is a factor because my flashlight often does not see a charger for multiple days. Other times, it's getting charged continuously.

[mikester]

If it takes standard size batteries then I would look into Lithiums - if it takes AAs then the 14500s usually fit in place or replace the flashlight with an LED style that can handle the voltage of the lithium or is super bright on an alkaline.

Nimh are worthless in my opinion unless you use them all the time. Left to sit they literally die. NiCds have their own issues which are old news.

I've replaced almost all of my traditional lights with LED lights (lots of CREE) and use alkalines in most but am switching to lithium now.