I've already had some batteries, many of them were, in the truest sense of the word, scrap! Either they were so hot that you could hardly touch during charging, or they were never really fully charged. Then they had used it and could directly load the next pack and discard the batteries after half a year after one hour flash photography. My first Pack Eneloop I bought about a year ago and they still keep the same length as my new, I ordered me last week. I use them incredibly happy, mean while in other devices because they hold just so incredibly long and have no memory effect!