Whenever I purchase a product that includes 4 AA batteries I usually just change them out. I've never had a provided set that were high quality and long lasting. I did not do that with the Kodiak Battery Pack just to see how long I could expect a good set of batteries to last. I haven't gotten the opportunity to try the "good set" of batteries and I am going on 10 hours of use with the provided batteries. I'm impressed. The only thing that could make it better would be to provide a rechargeable lithium ion battery.