Go rechargeable. I've had great success with Eneloop Pro. Not cheap but they last for years so they're actually cheaper in the long run. They also have a lot more staying power than standard alkaline. Especially if you hunt in the cold...
STAY AWAY from Lithium "AA" batteries for use on the CS24C. Most currently available Lithium AA size batteries have a high individual cell voltage in the range of 1.7 - 2.0 volts. The CS24C is designed with speaker protection circuitry to eliminate the likelihood of damage to the speaker due to over voltage. The unit will not turn "ON" if it detects a voltage higher than 17 volts. Because some of the current standard cell Lithium "AA" batteries start higher than 1.7V (10 cells x 1.7V = 17 volts) this will trip the protective circuit and prevent the unit from operating.
Originally Posted By: possumalYou definitely want rechargeables for your CS-24. The black rechargeables from FoxPro are excellent. They have great shelf life when charged.
This^^^^^. I've ran them for a few years and they're still going strong.
I use ENLOOP Pro in my CS24C with great success. I purchased 20 of them so I have 2 sets of them at all times. LiPo packs are an awesome choice and can be had from several places.