I will trust the members of this forum to do their own research, but in my research, I recently realized Ikea probably has the best deal(s) on batteries and chargers going. I need to make it over there to stock up. I especially love the USB charger, which, while slow, should play nice with a cell phone battery pack, car USB charger, or a solar panel. I suppose a "power pot" or similar as well!

An excerpt from an email I recently shared with family and friends:

Hey all,

Over the last few years I've started using rechargeable batteries at home almost exclusively. Unlike rechargeable batteries from my childhood, these things can sit around in a remote control for six months or a year and still work when you need them. They're really great.

The only downside has been their somewhat high price and finding suitable chargers. If you'd asked me, I would have directed you to use Eneloops and found you a suitable charger, but it would have been a bit expensive and random.

As of now, Ikea seems to sell Eneloop batteries re-branded as their own. As such, it seemed appropriate to share the wonderful world of rechargeable batteries with you.

Consider picking up the following:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70303876/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90303880/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40241309/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70303635/ <--You can charge batteries from your cell phone charger, or any other USB port. Wow!

The above should total around $20, unless you really stock up on batteries.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Eneloop-...ery+adapter+C+D (sorry, still expensive) (these are adapters which take the batteries above)

Extras you probably don't need:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Eneloop-...ery+adapter+C+D <--this is actually pretty cool