What battery type to use in e-callers, when temps are below freezing?

[ivarhusa]

I was reading in a Predator Masters forum on batteries, that NiMH (nickle metal hydride) batteries work well down to 32F.
http://www.predatormastersforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=52477179&an=0&page=0#52477179 (good info)

The author of the piece recommends lithium (not lithium ion) rechargable batteries for sub-freezing temps.  So, what percentage of your calling hours are above freezing?  I spend most of my calling hours with frost or snow underfoot.

So, what are you e-callers using successfully in cold weather?  Much ado about nothing?

I am planning to buy an e-caller before next fall, and want to invest in the right battery technology, as mistakes can be expensive.

Ivar

[addicted]

sitting out here all night my cell phone stops working. not really a problem except for when I was on stand by for work. to remedy i started laying my cell phone on one of those hot hands packs. maybe this could work for the callers as well.

[tlbradford]

Carry extra batteries, and keep them close to your body so they stay warm.  I know of several people that will use handwarmer packets and place them inside the caller itself when the temps get down there.  Neve leave behind your mouth calls, they are a good insurance policy.

[AWS]

I keep a handwarmer pack in my carry bag and recharge every night in camp or plug it into the truck, never had a problem with batteries.  I have forgot to turn it on and finnished the stand with a mouth call a few times.

I use a whirling woodpecker alot and it's a battery eater in the cold.  I keep a handfull of batts in my pocket with a handwarmer and change at every stand.  The used ones go in my LED light, clock or tape player (Books on tape) until they are dead.  A large pack of AA batts from Costco will last all season.

AWS

[bearmanric]

i have Foxpro Rechargible battery's. i keep a extra set it my foxprobag's. plus i have a charger in my truck and house. the Foxpro fast charger. allready paid for them self's. most people use4 the hand warmer's on the east coast. battery would drain faster with the cassette's my Fury amnd occ has no moving part's in them like the cassette's did. Rick

[Gutpile]

The ones that come with the Foxpro are fine. I've used them in very cold temps and never had a problem. Just charge them the night before and they'll be good to go. I do carry extras but have only used them once when I forgot to charge the night before. Those threads got me all paranoid but I think it's a lot of hot air. I've just never had a problem. 

[billythekidrock]

The AA's that came with my Scorpion were crap. Couldn't get a couple hours out of them and worse in cold weather. 

I bought some NUON 2500mAh at Batteries Plus and they work great. 

[ivarhusa]

Sounds like I shouldn't worry too much about batteries in cold temps, but I liked the idea of an insulating container, perhaps with a chem-warmer thrown in for good measure (on the coldest days).

My local Batteries Plus touted the Powerex brand NiMH AA batteries as having the best, honest capacities (2700mAH). They also liked the "Myhoff" (guessing at the spelling) charging unit.  The 8-batteries-at-a-time, slow charge (better battery life) model ran $69.  I didn't see it on their web page.  The store said they could order it in.

That's what I know.