Black & Decker VP110 VersaPak Gold 3-3/5-Volt 1-1/5-Amp Hour NiMH Gold Battery

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Product Description

Amazon.com Product Review

Black & Decker's VersaPak tools, everything from the ScumBuster to power screwdrivers, are boons to the busy person, saving both time and effort. We know they get a lot of use, so we're glad to see Black & Decker offering single replacement Gold batteries to keep everything running smoothly. The VersaPak line of tools all use this battery, and their main advantage is freedom from "memory," which keeps you from getting a full recharge. But the Gold version lasts half again as long as the standard batteries, meaning longer use and longer battery life in the long run. Black & Decker tells us that these batteries will take 300 charges, but we've heard of them lasting long past that. If you've got VersaPak tools, granted, you don't have a choice of batteries, but even if you did, we'd still recommend these Gold batteries for great power, reliability and long battery life.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

What's in the Box
Black & Decker VP110 3.6-volt VersaPak Gold Battery

Product Description

3.6V Versapak Gold Battery, Run Time Lasts Up To 60% Longer.

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1.6 x 7.6 x 4.1 inches ; 6.1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001HAFS4
• Item model number: VP110
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #944 in Home Improvement (See Bestsellers in Home Improvement)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Black & Decker - VersaPak Gold Battery!, September 22, 2005

By	Ken Knight "ARS: N0YGM" (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews

Black & Decker - VersaPak Gold Battery! I like using B&D VersaPak Tools for light duty hobby activities in my laboratory. The interchangeability is a handy feature. I have used many batteries including B&D VersaPak Gold and Silver. The GOLD Batteries due last longer than the Silvers. In my opinion, 60% is stretching it. Depending on cycles to include complete discharge, amount of use and other factors, 40-50% would be more accurate. The GOLD Batteries are not as impacted by the "memory" fade that the silvers are. For the same price or up to a couple dollars more per battery, the GOLD Batteries are a better buy.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VersaPak's "Turbo"?, March 4, 2007

By	Alpha Chi "AX" (Miami) - See all my reviews

It's at least also almost always true
This GOLD edition *almost* lasts 60% longer [actually about 40% on a very good day]. But the real kick is the gain in power. Yes, I said power.

More Power, grunt grunt. . .snort, err, d'oh!
I never would have believed it but hearing, listening, and watching my somewhat meek 3.6v VersaPak line of B&D battery-operated cleaning tools suddenly get a whole new attitude when I dropped these puppies in should impress just about anyone, just a little. There is definately a power boost but as to ascertaining what percentage would require far more spare time and testing equipment than even *I* have available. Suffice to say most won't be too disappointed as it's a real kick. I certainly wasn't.

A real kick in the pants
The price for the standard 3.6v VersaPak cells is bad enough, but these "Gold" editions are typically DOUBLE!

Is it worth it?
This is a tough one really as some folks will just as happily opt for updating their tool line rather than getting "bigger" batteries as B&D's VersaPak line has long past the average "lifespan" typically associated with rechargeable tool series. This was very true but to an even greater extent in *power* tools: when fix-it guys, home pros[?] and tradesman alike were recently caught up in a voltage frenzy among manufacturers. Cordless power tools climbed upwards rapidly but very incrementally from 9.6v to 24v in a single 12-month timeframe, making the $$$ cordless tool "kit" you just purchased obsolete even before you finished wading through the vast sea of disgruntled home improvement customers at the local depot's check-out lines. I'm sure I'm not the only consumer who owns more than one dubious rechargeable flashlight: the requisite cordless kit tool "bonus".

But is it really worth it?
Many rechargeable *cleaning tool* series have improved as well, albeit more more slowly. B&D's VersaPak tool line was ONE OF THE FIRST rechargeable battery "systems" out there[long before Ryobi and most others jumped on board with the exception of Makita's 7.2v system [[Milwaukee's single "pro"sumer or trade-level under 3volt entry at the time [read "not a system"] was a great little cordless stick screwdriver which I believe were seen being introduced on or about the same era]]. Yes, I said era. It's been that long. . .

BTW, with only minor improvement[the charger was updated], Milwaukee's stick driver is still being offered [and accepted] today, decades after its introduction and a glorious testament to what's possible when great design meets great execution.

And your point?
Anyway, my point being is it's a personal choice on whether one should breathe new life in their very dated VersaPak collection or not. If you are one of those who decide to do so and you have more than one VersaPak device or at least one B&D device requiring two batts, you may wish to look into buying these in BULK from a *trusted* source[you did read "trusted", yes?], as these bulk packs offer a much better deal and in quantanties that are still realistic for the home consumer.

A good rule-of-thumb for rechargeable batteries is to always have at least one spare swap-out available so your job isn't interrupted and to prevent rapid cycling.

One word of caution
Ok, more than one word: DON'T MIX THESE WITH STANDARD VersaPak [black/silver] batteries, either in twin-pack tools OR dual chargers, but especially the latter. Just don't. . .ever

And now one word of advice
Ok, more than one word as well, but this advice is totally free and worth every penny! Heat is the great destroyer of rechargeable batts, rapidly humbling far more robust batts than these. The great thing about having some extras around means that you won't be dropping just-drained and very warm batteries into your charger or your just-charged very warm batteries into your device as either of these practices will assure your tired tools a very brief reprieve.

Bottom line
Now that I've switched to the GOLD version, I would never go back to black(and silver;o).


AX~

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VersaPak Gold Battery, August 15, 2006

By	Roxanne L. Kemper (Modesto, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been using my VersaPak tools for several years now. The VersaPak Gold battery holds its charge longer and the life of the battery is longer than the regular VersaPak battery. I have been quite satisfied with the Gold's performance. as well as the VersaPak tools, ideal for light duty houssehold fixes.