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1/6/2004 3:21:25 AM EDT
  I am in the market to buy one, and the AA battery version is more money.  What are the approx. run times on the N battery vs. the AA battery model.  Any advantages/ disadvantages on either?  They're the same except for the power source/supply... correct??   Thanks for any info.
1/6/2004 5:18:07 AM EDT
[#1]
According to EOTech the N models are rated for 100 hours while the AA models are rated for 500 hours.

Unless you really need the extra 1" of rail space I would go with the AA models.  The AA's have 5 times the battery life and the AA's also work better in low temps.  I would also say to go with the 552 even if you don't need NV capability because the black rubber buttons are a lot better than the membrane ones.

1/6/2004 6:17:21 AM EDT
[#2]
I agree wholeheartedly with Yojimbo.  I recently picked up a 512 and am wishing I had spent the extra $ on the 552.  Oh well...live and learn.
1/6/2004 3:50:09 PM EDT
[#3]
Hey Jenec !! I decided on the 552 for the same reason yojimbo stated. It should be here late this week. E-mail Grant @ http://www.gandrtactical.com/
He gave me a screaming deal & has a great reputation here.

               .........Paul
1/6/2004 4:14:07 PM EDT
[#4]
I just put a 552 on my SEBR carbine.  The rubber buttons are very nice.  Much easier to use than the membrane buttons. It's a big bitch but built like a tank.  It's worth the extra bucks.
1/6/2004 8:46:47 PM EDT
[#5]
Go with the 552 and use lithium batterys and double the life of the batterys,no weak battery warning though with lithium .
1/6/2004 9:49:21 PM EDT
[#6]
I got the 551.  It is smaller if that matters to you.  The money you save will easily pay for years of batteries even if they don't last as long.  The 500 hours quoted for the 552 is for lithium batteries and you lose the low battery warning.  Seems to me strange that any non-operator/military/etc. would worry about the battery life difference between 551 and 552.  What's the prob sticking in 2 new N cells after 100 CONTINUOUS hours of use.  The 551 battery lasts plenty long IMO.  Of course, when the SHTF and I'm crawling through the forests days on end and not an N cell to found I'll be kicking myself.[img]http://images.ar15.com/forums/smiles/smiley_crossbones.gif[/img]
1/6/2004 11:14:47 PM EDT
[#7]
552
1/7/2004 4:25:07 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Seems to me strange that any non-operator/military/etc. would worry about the battery life difference between 551 and 552.  What's the prob sticking in 2 new N cells after 100 CONTINUOUS hours of use.  The 551 battery lasts plenty long IMO.  Of course, when the SHTF and I'm crawling through the forests days on end and not an N cell to found I'll be kicking myself.[url]http://images.ar15.com/forums/smiles/smiley_crossbones.gif[/url]
View Quote


Seems you answered your own question...[;)]

Just the fact that the 552 has five times the battery life of the 551 is good enough reason.  You don't need to be a HSLD operator to justify that advange.
1/7/2004 6:36:43 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
.... Of course, when the SHTF and I'm crawling through the forests days on end and not an N cell to found I'll be kicking myself
View Quote


How about when you're at a rifle course and it goes dead - and you have problems finding them at the local stores?
1/7/2004 7:15:03 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
I got the 551.  It is smaller if that matters to you.  The money you save will easily pay for years of batteries even if they don't last as long.  The 500 hours quoted for the 552 is for lithium batteries and you lose the low battery warning.  Seems to me strange that any non-operator/military/etc. would worry about the battery life difference between 551 and 552.  What's the prob sticking in 2 new N cells after 100 CONTINUOUS hours of use.  The 551 battery lasts plenty long IMO.  Of course, when the SHTF and I'm crawling through the forests days on end and not an N cell to found I'll be kicking myself.[url]http://images.ar15.com/forums/smiles/smiley_crossbones.gif[/url]
View Quote


Nice avatar!
1/7/2004 8:30:38 AM EDT
[#11]
Yeah, for me it wasn't so much an issue with battery life as it was with battery availability.

I can find AA batteries pretty much anywhere.  Try that with N batteries.
1/7/2004 8:56:12 AM EDT
[#12]
N batteries can be had at any Wal-Mart, K-Mart camera shop, Radio Shack, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Eckert, Costco, Sam's Club............

1/7/2004 9:11:36 AM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
N batteries can be had at any Wal-Mart, K-Mart camera shop, Radio Shack, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Eckert, Costco, Sam's Club............
View Quote


Yeah IF they happen to have them in stock

and IF there happens to be one in the area.

I can open my mini-mag and pull the batteries if needed.  I can go to any convience store and get AA batteries (try that with N's).  I can recharge AA batteries.  Heck even the rechargabel AA batteries last several times longer than the 'N' version.

So for lower battery availabilty, much shorter run time you gain what?  Save a few $$, lose a couple of ounces, and save an inch.

Seems like a poor tradeoff to me.
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