Duracell's long-running campaign to convince you that their batteries are superior to the competition's is just plain silly. The ads open up at some kind of rescue or disaster scene with EMS, firemen, or military squads doing their duty. Then, a voice over comes on trying to convince you that not all batteries are the same because these men and women use Duracell to power their battery operated equipment.There are several problems with these claims. First, the night vision goggles pictured in the military ad are extremely unlikely to use AA or D batteries that the ad insinuates are a one use product. They are more likely to use rechargeable Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer batteries with long lives and the ability to be recharged several hundred times before needing replacement. Second, if the EMS unit really uses Duracell batteries, it is probably because of liability issues. If your loved one died because a battery failed to operate a medical device and you found out that a generic brand was being used to power it, a lawsuit would probably result. There are only about 3 big name brands on the market right now, Duracell being one. A 1 in 3 chance to be chosen isn't bad. Also, the people buying the batteries aren't buying them for personal use or with their own money. Why not buy one of the most expensive brands possible?
As to the most important point; I don't use nor will I likely ever use any of the products featured on these commercials. I'm not going into the military or emergency rescue positions. I'll never have a need for these types of battery powered machines. Also, the electronics I do use that require batteries, I don't use often. I've also read studies in the past comparing the name brands with the generics that have indicated that the generics are just the name brands with a different label and in some cases were even manufactured by Duracell or Energizer.
The next time you hear Think all batteries are the same? Consider this... remember what you use batteries for and what you don't use them for, then decide whether the cost of the name on the battery is justified.
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A name brand battery definitely lasts longer than a generic , especially the dollar store ones. However Id have to say that as far as name brand batteries go , they all last the same.
ReplyDeleteHowever the point of those commercials are that if their batteries are used in something as important as the emergency units , then they would be great in your own home electronics.
And no its doubtful they use AA batteries , but they might very well use some kind of special duracell - otherwise they would be getting sued for those commercials.