Cars with the highest theft rates

While some of the best-selling cars in the U.S. also top the most frequently stolen list each year because of their sheer numbers, another look at the statistics reveals which cars by percentage sold are the most likely to by targeted by thieves. According to data recently released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the car most frequently stolen, based on the number of thefts per 1,000 vehicles sold during 2009, was the $92,000 Audi S8 sport/luxury sedan, with 8.81 thefts per 1,000 vehicles produced. That comes out to just two out of the 227 S8s that were sold in the U.S., so it’s hardly a widespread epidemic. Still, NHTSA’s statistics prove the point that the flashiest cars on the road can also be the most popular – for the wrong reasons. The Ford Shelby Mustang GT had the next highest theft rate for 2009, with 8.61 vehicles per 1,000 stolen. Also in the top five were the sportiest variant of BMW’s midsize sedan, the M5 (7.58/1,000), retro-flavored Dodge Charger full-size sedan (6.47/1,000) and the no longer produced Honda S2000 roadster (5.60/1,000). The remainder of the top 10 list of cars with the highest theft rates for 2009 included the midsize Mitsubishi Galant sedan (5.11/1,000), the full-size Chrysler 300 sedan (4.57/1,000), the Infiniti M luxury sedan (4.32/1,000) the Cadillac STS luxury sedan (4.28/1,000) and the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class luxury sport coupe (3.91/1,000). By brand, the most frequently stolen cars per 1,000 sold, were Chrysler products, with the Chrysler Sebring, Sebring Convertible and PT Cruiser, and the Dodge Avenger and Dodge Caliber making the top 20 in addition to the aforementioned 300 and Charger. General Motors came in second, with four vehicles among top 20, with the Pontiac G5 and G6 and Chevrolet Impala joining the STS. While the Toyota Camry was the most purloined model overall in terms of sheer numbers, at 781 stolen in 2009, it ranked 50th as a percentage of sales at just 1.74 per 1,000 cars. The least-stolen model per capita in 2009 was the since-discontinued Mercury Mariner SUV, with a theft rate of 0.08 per 1,000 units, or a mere two vehicles out of 25,682 sold that year. Fortunately, NHTSA reports that the number of auto thefts reported each year is on the decline. “The agency believes that the theft rate reduction could be the result of several factors including the increased use of standard antitheft devices, vehicle parts marking, increased and improved prosecution efforts by law enforcement organizations and increased public awareness,” according to a NHTSA statement. So what can you do to ensure that thieves won’t target your vehicular pride and joy? Start by correcting bad habits, such as leaving the keys in the ignition when the vehicle is unattended. Keep the windows and sunroof closed, and don’t hide a spare key where an astute crook might find it. If you have a garage, park inside it, not merely out on the driveway, and make sure both entry doors are closed and locked at all times. If you park on the street, choose a spot close to other vehicles, turn your wheels toward the curb and engage the emergency brake to make it more difficult to be towed. Away from home, park in a well-lit or well-traveled area after dark, and avoid using long-term parking lots – take a taxi to the airport instead. Experts also advise having your car or truck’s vehicle identification number (often called a “VIN,” it’s found on the driver’s side of the dashboard at the bottom of the windshield, as well as on the model’s title) etched on the windshield and major components to make them more difficult for chop shops to sell as replacement parts. Beyond the common-sense basics, use an antitheft device, which will often also warrant a discount on your car insurance. A steering-wheel lock like the popular “Club” is simple, inexpensive and can be as effective as costlier alarm systems. A thief wants to get a vehicle as quickly as possible, and anything that might slow him or her down can be enough of a deterrent to instead choose another model on the block. Having a simple ignition “kill switch” installed in a hidden location makes it more difficult for a crook to start a car or truck and drive it away. Advanced vehicle recovery devices like LoJack and General Motors’ OnStar system use technology similar to that employed in satellite navigation systems to help police departments locate cars and trucks if they are stolen. They can be pricey and require a monthly subscription, but if you own an expensive high-profile car, the cost is usually warranted. 10. Mercedes-Benz CL-Class The sportier two-door version of Mercedes' S-Class sedan was taken by thieves at the rate of 3.91 per 1,000 vehicles during 2009. 9. Cadillac STS Buyers of the sporty Cadillac STS sedan were targeted by thieves to the tune of 4.28 per 1,000 units sold. 8. Infiniti M The flagship sedans of the Infiniti line, the M35 and M45 were stolen during 2009 at the rate of 4.32 per 1,000 sold during 2009. 7. Chrysler 300 The stately Chrysler 300 sedan was stolen at the rate of 4.57 per 1,000 sold during 2009. 6. Mitsubishi Galant The midsize Mitsubishi Galant sedan was popular among thieves during 2009, as 5.11 out of every 1,000 sold were stolen. 5. Honda S2000 No longer in production, the sleek Honda S2000 roadster was stolen at the rate of 5.60 per 1,000 units sold during 2009. 4. Dodge Charger During 2009, 6.47 out of every 1,000 Dodge Chargers that were sold were reported stolen. 3. BMW M5 The racy M5 version of BMW's midsize sedan had a theft rate of 7.58 per 1,000 sold in 2009. 2. Ford Shelby GT According to data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 8.61 out of 1,000 Ford Shelby GT sports cars produced were ultimately stolen during 2009. 1. Audi S8 The limited production V10-powered Audi S8 luxury sports sedan boasted the highest theft rate among all cars during 2009, with 8.81 thefts per 1,000 vehicles sold, though this amounts to just two out of a total of 227 units.

The Best Used Cars For The Money

It’s never been more difficult for buyers to find a bargain in the used car market. Fortunately we’ve dug deep into the data to identify ten worthy late-model cars and SUVs that are truly great deals. According to the used-car valuation experts at Kelley Blue Book, the average value of a one- to three-year-old used vehicle has increased from $15,000 in 2008 to more than $23,000 in 2011, which amounts to an average boost of nearly 16 percent per year. This is causing an affordability problem among cash-strapped buyers who can’t otherwise afford a new car, which on average costs nearly $30,000 according to the industry research and forecasting company TrueCar.com. Analysts predict used car prices will finally begin tapering off, perhaps as early as year’s end, with healthier new-car sales — including those from Japanese automakers recovering from production disruptions because of the earthquake and tsunami in March — helping to refill the supply chain via trade-ins. “Used car prices at the end of the year will still be higher than last year, but not at the levels during the peak in May and June when prices jumped 25-30 percent higher,” says Jonathan Banks, a senior analyst with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Used Car Guide But that doesn’t mean there still aren’t some advantageous deals to be found in the used-car market. The key here is to find the “best” late-model pre-owned vehicles that, for one reason or another, have lower-than-average resale prices. Age, condition and mileage largely determine a car’s value in the resale market, but comparable models can still cost more or less than each other because of various market forces. According to Automotive Lease Guide, a vehicle’s value down the road can be affected by something as superficial as a particular make or model’s market perception. Cars initially sold with big cash rebates tend to take a greater hit in terms of depreciation, as do vehicles that have significant fleet sales, which ensures a steady flow of models into the resale market each year. Our list of Best Used Cars for the Money consists of vehicles from the 2008 model year that received average or above-average scores from the most recent J.D. Power & Associates U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study and boast average or below-average long-term ownership costs as reported by Intellichoice.com. Even so, they all suffer below-average resale values as estimated by Kelley Blue Book, which makes them outstanding deals. Used-car values cited for comparison are based on dealers’ estimated retail prices for three-year-old models in excellent condition, equipped with a typical assortment of features and driven an average 46,500 miles. Actual transaction prices will vary according to a vehicle’s precise condition, exact mileage and a buyer’s negotiating skills. One caveat: Even the sweetest used car deal can ultimately go sour if the vehicle’s been abused, has hidden damage or was improperly maintained. That’s why it’s always prudent to have a trusted mechanic carefully inspect any used car or truck under your consideration to get an impartial evaluation of its operating condition, especially if you’re buying it from a private party. Particularly in the wake of this year’s devastating floods, be sure to run a model’s vehicle identification number (VIN) through a title-search service like carfax.com to make sure it hasn’t been previously flood-damaged or salvaged and subsequently rebuilt. 2008 Cadillac SRX

While the current generation of Cadillac’s luxury crossover SUV is smaller and more stylish, the 2008 version holds its own with solid performance from a choice of V-6 and V-8 engines at 255 and 320 horsepower, and sportier-than-average handling. Its roomy interior can seat up to seven passengers when found with the available third-row seat. With a projected retail price of $26,300-$28,035 you’ll keep a couple thousand dollars in your pocket by choosing a 2008 SRX instead of the Lexus RX 350 at $28,500-$30,000. 2008 Hyundai Sonata

While Hyundai is at the top of its game right now with the current-generation Sonata, there’s still a lot to like about the previous-generation of this midsize sedan, particularly if you find one with the smooth and powerful 234-horsepower 3.3-lityer V-6 engine. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a sufficient 162 horses was otherwise standard with the 2008 model. You’ll find it packed with features at an affordable price, which is pegged at about $13,115-$16,635 at retail in excellent condition. By contrast, dealers will ask a steeper $17,975-$19,635 for a 2008 Nissan Altima. 2008 Cadillac DTS

They don’t make luxury cars like this any more (literally, as the DTS was discontinued at the end of the 2011 model year). The old-school DTS is big as a boat and emphasizes comfort above all else. A choice of 4.6-liter V8 engines delivers 275 or 292 horsepower, with the car receiving top reliability scores. Look for models equipped with what are still among the latest safety features, including lane-departure and blind-spot warning systems. At an estimated retail price of $22,300 it’s a classy ride at a bargain price.

Ndamukong Suh to be suspended for two games for stomp

Amazon and Barnes & Noble aren’t battling only over their tablet computers, the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet. The titans are also in a tussle over which $99 touch-screen e-book reader is better: the new Kindle Touch or a version of the Nook Simple Touch that’s been updated with new software. Based on testing the two, Amazon’s first touch Kindle is a worthy performer that’s on a par with most other dedicated readers with a touch screen. But the refresh to the Nook Simple Touch has made the top-ranked e-book reader in our Ratings a little better. The full details are in our e-book reader Ratings, available to Consumer Reports subscribers, along with details on another capable new reader, the Kobo VOX e-reader. Meantime, here are some highlights of the head-to-head comparison of the Touch and Simple Touch: Type readability Like most of the better e-readers on the market, the Touch and Simple Touch have 6-inch screens that use the latest Pearl version of E Ink, the energy-frugal, black-and-white screen technology. B&N says it’s re-engineered the type rendering for its Nook line, and the improvements are debuting in the software for the Simple Touch. In our tests, type on the updated Simple Touch indeed looked a little better than on its predecessor, and slightly better than on the Kindle Touch. But the differences were not major, and both devices scored excellent for readability. Page turns Both are very good in this attribute, though with some differences. The Simple Touch is faster. B&N claims page turns on the Nook have been further accelerated with the update. Tests of the Simple Touch with new and old software supported the claim. But we couldn’t easily validate the specific claim to a 25 percent improvement in page-turn speed, since the Simple Touch was already so fast. Page turns were slightly slower on the Kindle Touch, too. Also, unlike the Simple Touch, it lacks any physical controls as an alternative to turning via the touch screen (we prefer that readers have both). But some other page-turn pluses helped boost the Kindle Touch. Those include its so-called EasyReach touch zoning that, as promised, allows you to touch anywhere between the left-middle and far right of the screen to advance a page; the Simple Touch and most other reader screens require you to touch within a narrower band along the right side of the screen. Amazon bills EasyReach as a special boon for lefties, which it may indeed be. The Touch, though, like all other Kindles, persists in using not page numbers, like the Nooks and most other readers, but “location “ numbers; each page turn appears to advance the location number by anywhere between 8 to 15, and it isn’t consistent. A cool, if as yet limited, Amazon feature The Kindle Touch has a feature called X-Ray that allows you to view references to characters and phrases throughout the book or link to Wikipedia entries on them, or to content posted to Shelfari, Amazon’s "community-powered encyclopedia for book lovers." So far, in my limited use, the feature indeed seems to successfully locate and show in a scrolling screen to every reference to key characters (all 376 refs to Sherlock Holmes in "Sherlock Holmes," for example). It also links out to those outside sources for more in-depth information than is provided by the dictionary entries you can link to from names or terms on Nooks. But X-Ray is on only select titles for now, though Amazon says the feature is being steadily expanded. I didn’t find X-Ray, for example, on "Charles Dickens: A Life," a biography where I might actually have used it fairly frequently. And while it was on “Sherlock Holmes,” for example, it wasn’t present on "Bram Stoker’s Dracula." And you can’t find out if a book has been "X-Rayed" before you buy it, which is a bit frustrating if you think you might want or need the feature for that title. Bottom line Both of these readers are recommended models, and very comparable in most respects; either is a worthy choice. The Kindle Touch is the better bet, obviously, if you or your recipient already use a Kindle—especially since libraries of Kindle Books aren’t convertible into Nook Books, and vice versa. It might also be the better choice for ardent public-library users, given the semi-wirelessness of library loans on the Kindle (books are sent to the device wirelessly after you rent them from a computer). But unless you opt for the low-priced Kindle Touch with ads and special offers, the Amazon device is pricier; $139 for an ad-free Wi-Fi version. And the Nook Simple Touch scored higher overall than its Kindle competitor.

Which cars cost least to repair?

Mull over these apple cider recipes to warm up and get in the winter spirit. Creamy, mulled, spiked, or sparkling, we guarantee you'll love them! Pair them with a roaring fire for a perfect winter evening. Hot Cider Nog Whisk together 2 cups half-and-half, 1 cup each milk and apple cider, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp. each salt and ground nutmeg in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 15 to 20 minutes or until mixture thickens and coats a spoon. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 cup bourbon, if desired. Top each serving with sweetened whipped cream. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, and apple slices, if desired. Makes: 5 1/2 cups Cider Tea Place 6 regular-size hibiscus tea bags and 2 1/2 cups water in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Boil, uncovered, until liquid is reduced to 2 cups. Remove tea bags, and stir in 4 each whole allspice and cloves and 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks. Let cool about 1 hour; chill 1 hour. Discard solids. Cook tea mixture and 6 cups apple cider in a large saucepan over medium heat until thoroughly heated. Makes: 8 cups Rum Cider Tea Prepare Cider Tea as directed, stirring 1 cup spiced rum into cider mixture in saucepan. Makes: 9 cups Bourbon Cider Sour Stir together 3/4 cup each bourbon and apple cider, 1/2 cup orange juice, and 1/4 cup sugar. Serve over finely crushed ice. Makes: 2 1/3 cups Party Apple Punch Stir together 2 cups chilled pear nectar, 1/4 cup honey, and, if desired, 1 cup brandy in a large punch bowl. Stir in 2 (750-milliliter) bottles chilled sparkling apple cider and 1 liter chilled club soda just before serving. Makes: 13 cups

Worst car flops of 2011

John McElroy, the loquacious host of the Autoline Detroit TV and radio shows, is optimistic about the auto industry. More than one million new cars sell each month in the United States, he points out. Ford and GM have become more profitable than many analysts had expected; record sales numbers at luxury brands like Audi and BMW don’t hurt, either. And there are some exciting new models in the pipeline for 2012 and beyond. Just don’t ask McElroy about some of the cars on the market this year. You’re likely to get a different story. “The Lincoln MKT is an unmitigated disaster,” McElroy says. “It’s actually a vehicle I like, but nobody agrees with me. No matter how you slice it, the MKT is just a dud.” The MKT joins eight other vehicles that have performed significantly less than expected this year in the United States. Along with the Acura ZDX, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and Chevrolet Aveo, these are the worst automotive flops of 2011. Behind The Story To develop this list of cars, we consulted three expert analysts: Jake Fisher, senior automotive engineer for Consumer Reports; Tim Healey, the senior writer at Web2Carz, an automotive website; and McElroy. Each discussed what they think are the worst vehicles on the market, all things considered. Nominations were allowed for any 2011 model-year vehicles and any 2012 model-year vehicles available for sale this year. Admittedly, it’s a subjective tally. Dwindling sales are one way to determine an automotive flop. Excessive hype before a launch, with media silence afterward (see: Acura ZDX) is another. So is a round of scathing reviews from auto critics, or a Consumer Reports rating that places it among the 10 worst values of the year (see: Dodge Nitro). Sales Matter, Sometimes Still, flops do indeed have much to do with sales rates. The Chevrolet Aveo, for instance, sold just 65 cars nationwide last month, down 98 percent for the same period in 2010. It’s largely because Chevy’s Aveo replacement, the 2012 Sonic, is much better than its predecessor and already scooping up sales. The same can’t be said for the Smart Fortwo, which sold just 327 units in October, down 11 percent for the month and nearly 21 percent for the year to date. (The car will have a successor, in a forthcoming partnership with Renault, but it won’t be ready for next year.) Things Are Looking Up The bottom line, despite the stragglers on this list, is that the general level of quality, performance and value of both domestic and foreign vehicles on the American market has never been better. Each expert consulted for this list agreed that the future is bright for drivers in America. “Automakers have gotten a lot better at producing what the public want,” Healey says. “They’ve realized that it really is all about the product—it’s not just about marking. And that’s a good thing.” 2011 smart fortwo

McElroy says the jerky transmission in this tiny two-door has hurt it the worst — he called it “the worst transmission maybe of all time.” The car has reportedly lost more money than it has made for the Daimler family since its launch in the late 1990s; rumors have circulated for years that the company will shutter the brand. An agreement to share a new platform with Renault could mean a big improvement for the coupe in a few years. 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan

Fisher says the 2011 redesign cost the Jetta much of what had made it a standout in the small car segment. Its responsive handling and sharp steering are long gone, Fisher says, and the high-quality interior has been replaced with hard plastics that don’t fit together well. The engines in the new Jetta are unimpressive with regard to both acceleration and fuel economy.

GPS

GPS navigators were huge last year, Shelton said, but with more smartphones equipped with their own satellite navigation capabilities, there will be some nice GPS devices retailing for under $100.

Apple iPad 2

Apple practically never offers discounts and if you are looking for a bargain on the iPad at retailers like Wal-Mart and Target, you will be disappointed. But Vincent expects Apple to offer between 5% and 10% off the device online only on Thanksgiving Day.

3D Televisions

The 3D televisions normally sell for $800 to $1,000, but a few models will fall below $500 on Black Friday weekend, Shelton predicts.

Video games

Video game bundles will be back this year, Vincent said. Consoles like Sony's PlayStation 3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360 will likely offer the hardware with three video games for just the price of the system. The games in the bundle could also be some big hits, like Modern Warfare 3 or Battlefield 3, Shelton said.

2013 Ford Mustang gallops up to 200 mph

Yet another argument for the contention that we’re living in a golden era for American muscle cars arrives with the 2013 Ford Mustang, which will sport a brace of tech and styling updates across its line — including the most powerful V8 engine sold by any automaker in the world. How much trouble could you get in with a 200-mph ‘Stang? The original pony car has survived 46 years only through annual tweaking between major redesigns, and offering a broad enough model range to lure in everyone from high-schoolers to professional drag racers. Thanks to the competition with the revived Chevrolet Camaro, there’s more muscle in muscle cars than ever before; today’s base V6 Mustang has more grunt than the V8 flashed seven years ago. The biggest change comes at the top, where the Ford Shelby GT500 gets 100 extra ponies under the hood, giving the supercharged 5.8-liter V8 650 hp and 600 lb.-ft of torque — more than any Camaro, Corvette or even the Ferrari 458 Italia. Every part of the Shelby was tweaked in some fashion to handle the power riot, along with a launch control system for better controlled top-speed starts. The only thing not included are the numbers of local bail bondsmen. For 2013, the exterior gets a freshening in some details, namely a beefed-up grille and different wheel combinations and smoked tail lamps. For the more boastful Mustang owners, a light in the side-view mirror will project the pony logo on the ground when you unlock the car. The V6 keeps its 305 hp output, while the standard 5-liter V8 in the GT models now tops 420 hp, a gain of 8 hp. The six-speed automatic transmission now offers an optional mix-your-own-gear mode for weekend auto crossers. For the more serious track day adherents, there’s also an upgrade to the brakes, cooling and suspension tweaks from the Boss 302. To make the fun a little more technical, the dash computer will now come with what Ford calls Track Apps, programs that can measure g-forces, 0-60 and quarter-mile runs and braking data. It’s like having “Motorweek” in your dash. The Boss 302 gets by with a carryover 444-hp V8 and the same appearance changes — and a new color of school bus yellow paint. Your move, Camaro.

Barnes And Noble Nook

The idea of an e-reader being priced above $100 is quickly going away, and Wilson said that Thanksgiving weekend shoppers will be able to pick up a decent e-reader for under $50. With Amazon pricing its basic version of the Kindle at $79, the e-commerce giant is throwing other suppliers for a loop. Shelton even believes older Kindle models will sell for around $50. Barnes & Noble's Nook at $249, in particular, will find it difficult to compete with the Kindle Fire. "I am shocked it is still at $249, honestly," Wilson said. Shelton agreed, saying the Nook Color needs to match the Kindle Fire price.

Flat screen televisions

If you are in the market for a new flat screen television, check out Wal-Mart and Target on Black Friday weekend, Vincent advises. The big-box retailers will likely offer a 42-inch HDTV as a door-buster special (which means limited quantities) for $300. Last year, the retailers had a similar deal, featuring a 40-inch TV for the same price. If you want a slightly smaller version, Vincent said the 32-inch will likely be priced around $200.

Samsung and Motorola tablets

Amazon's Kindle Fire at $199 started a price war with everyone, making Samsung and Motorola no longer the alternatives to an iPad, Wilson said. As a result, he expects to see some steep discounts on these devices. "This will be the first Black Friday where tablets go mass market," he notes. Wilson said to keep an eye out for the 7-inch Samsung Galaxy priced under $300 and Motorola's XOOM around $350, both down from about $500. Shelton predicts that some of the lesser-known tablet brands could even drop prices below $100. "The HP tablet blew up at $99, which assures us tablets will be lucrative," Sheldon said.

Black Friday Deal Predictions

Black Friday ads haven't leaked yet, but we've talked to deal hunters to discover what items are likely to be heavily discounted this Thanksgiving weekend. "Black Friday and Cyber Monday are legitimately the best days to shop," said Brad Wilson, online shopping expert and professional bargain hunter, who runs the sites Bradsdeals.com and BlackFriday2011.com. In fact, Jon Vincent, who runs the deal site BlackFriday.info, said prices are typically always higher after Black Friday. "There are not many pre-Christmas door busters." One good piece of advice when shopping Black Friday weekend -- look for bundle deals, said Brent Shelton, of deal site FatWallet.com. "If you need a printer, wait for the laptop/printer bundles, it will save a lot of money." To prepare your gift-giving list, here's a look at some of the door-busters you may find if you put down the fork and get out there early the day after Thanksgiving.

Digital cameras

Demand for point-and-shoot digital cameras is essentially dead because of improved camera and video technology on the iPhone and other smartphones, Wilson said. This means there will be some great deals on premium cameras on Black Friday. Wilson expects to see Superzooms around $150 and Digital SLRs around $300. There were 350 different camera deals last year, Shelton said, and he expects to see even more than that for really high-quality cameras with 14 megapixels.

Amazon's Kindle Fire

The Kindle Fire is already competitively priced at $199, but the device could go even lower. The newest tablet may pop up as a coveted "Gold Box" deal on Amazon and could be priced as low as $100, Vincent predicts. But Gold Box deals aren't easy to come by, and only a lucky few will probably be able to snag the device at this ultra-low price.

Laptops: RadioShack

Radioshack is already featuring a $300 Toshiba laptop, which has been one of the most popular deals on FatWallet.com. As a result, Shelton is predicting some high-profile, 15-inch laptops will be available under $300 during Thanksgiving weekend.

Batteries: Which AAs rate an A?

AAs are still the most widely sold battery type, used in many toys, radios, flashlights, and remote controls, and in some digital cameras, though more of those are using tiny rechargeables. We tested nonrechargeable lithium, nickel oxhydroxide, and alkaline types. The longest-lasting was Energizer Advanced lithium. It took 809 photos before dying; the quickest to die, Walgreens Supercell alkaline, took just 133. Take manufacturer claims with a grain of salt. Duracell Ultra PowerPix, for example, lasted for 174 shots, which is indeed "up to 200 photos," as claimed—but any number under 200 meets that boast. Rechargeable batteries are a greener choice than any of the tested types. In past tests, precharged rechargeables from the major manufacturers provided about 300 shots out of the box and about 400 shots on their subsequent charge. If your town doesn't provide a way to recycle non-rechargeable batteries, it's OK to toss them in the trash. To find out where to recycle rechargeables, go to www.call2recycle.org. Bottom line Lithium batteries took more photos than the other types, so they don't need to be changed as often. The best performer, Energizer Advanced, costs $5.40 per pair but just 33 cents per 50 shots. The top alkaline battery, Duracell Ultra Advanced, costs $3.65 per pair but ends up costing 70 cents per 50 shots. Use lithiums in high-drain devices such as cameras and alkalines in low-drain devices such as remote controls. For toys that are used a lot, consider high-capacity rechargeables (2,350 milliamp-hours or more). Safety tips for nonrechargeables • Use identical batteries of the same chemistry, brand, and age. • Don't get batteries wet, expose them to fire, or pierce them; they could explode. • Don't carry or store loose batteries next to other metal objects. • Stop using a battery that feels hot, changes color, or emits an odor.