Others say...

"they do the job, but at an environmental cost"
Rayovac Corporation makes TWO alkaline batteries: the original (this one), and the newer RECHARGEABLE alkaline battery. Based on their website's MSDS for each type of alkaline battery, both batteries have identical formulas, except that their rechargeables have 0.5% silver included (NO mercury mentioned). The original one has a "No Mercury" Formula (a Good Thing), yet the lack of readily-available RECYCLING facilities to re-use the spent cell's parts seems to me to be a colossal waste of finite resources. Both kinds of alkaline batteries are made by Rayovac in all sizes. Their website claims that one rechargeable alkaline replaces up to 100 single-use alkalines. Rechargeable Alkaline will recharge in 3-10 hours. As of 2003-10 (Oct. 2003) Rayovac Corporation is introducing their new new I-C3 rechargeable battery system, or Rayovac 15-minute NiMH Rechargeable System. Lest you lose sleep wondering about the acronym I-C3, it stands for In-Cell Charge Control. No, NiMH is not alkaline, yet IS rechargeable. Being that Rayovac's forthcoming 15-minute system is due soon (10/2003), I suggest that you stockpile (through Amazon) enough of the Ray-O-Vac Alkaline Battery sizes that you need to energize your battery-operated devices until then, and thereafter order via Amazon the much less wasteful (in time and metal) NiMH cells promised by Rayovac. Two more things: one, please dispose of your current non-rechargeable alkaline batteries (& other types) into your community's metal recycling wastestream, rather than into general trash (or gutter); two, the forthcoming Ray-O-Vac I-C3 charger that has FOUR slots will allow 15-minute charging in one's car, whereas the charger with only TWO slots won't. FYI, the 15-minute system by Rayovac is an exclusive; no other make has one.

"A Great Value And A Great Product!"
Those of us who live out in the more rural areas experience more power outages and sudden losses of access, often at the worst possible time, as in the middle of a violent thunderstorm or at the peak of a blizzard. Then we depend on the kind of reliable and durable power for our flashlights and portable radios that these Ray-O-Vac's D alkaline batteries, which in my estoimation are indeed perfect for flashlights and other heavy-duty electronic devices, and in this large 36 pack of the D size is quite a good value, bringing the cost of them to around a dollar per battery. The company's long-lasting alkaline formula gives these particular batteries a very durable quality, with plenty of staying power for those times you need to use them consistently for a sustained period of time. In addition, Ray-O-Vac's batteries are nicely packaged in either the traditional packs or in a version that is called the Clear Value and Pro Pack, which are really handy and resealable containers that give you a helping hand in storing and organizing them. I have used them for a while, and prefer them to the other D-sized batteries on the market. Enjoy!