...For 500 cycles you will pay $41 dollars, plus tax and shipping.
The equivalent in alkys will cost you $325 (500x0.65), a significant difference.
There are a few other costs not considered - the coast of the electricity put into the batteries, the somewhat shorter useful cycle of rechargs, and the cost of replacing equipment probably (hell, certainly) damaged by leaking alkies.
Great info, thanks Hikemor.
Your last line is the most important reason I use Eneloops, (and a few lithiums).
I have had numerous devices ruined by leaking alkaline batteries before I made the switch. All the alkalines that leaked were well within their expiration dates and kept within operating temperatures. Pricewise, replacing 1 ruined headlamp was more than 2 sets of Eneloops at Costco
The other reasons I use Eneloops are:
*I have to store far fewer batteries
*They are much cheaper in the long run
*They hold a charge for a long time
*With the addition of a solar charger I basically have an unlimited supply of energy.
To give an idea of storage needs I did some calculations:
(All numbers approximate based on 0.57"D AA and 0.41"D AAA)
100 AA alkaline batteries = 5 lbs, 2.25" wide x 14.25" long x 2.0" high (4 rows of 25 batteries)
100 AAA alkaline batteries = 2.5 lbs, 1.75" wide 10.25" long x 1.75" high (4 rows of 25 batteries)
16 AA & 16 AAA Eneloop batteries = 1.2 lbs, 2.25" wide x 3.75" long x 2.0" high (4 rows of 4AA+4AAA)
1 Eneloop AA/AAA charger = 3.4oz, 2.25" wide x 4.5" long x 2.0" high
As listed above I find it much easier, less worrisome, and cheaper, (as Hikemor's numbers show), to store rechargeables.