There is no conclusive evidence that Eneloops need or benefit from a break-in charge mind, so there's no need to process all those cells through any cycles. Just get them out of the package and start using them
I would have to disagree with you regarding the Break-In cycles. I did a bit of testing on the Eneloops and found that they DID benefit from 1 or 2 Break-In cycles when new.
The test was actually trying to determine whether the new Eneloops did better with a few Refresh/Analyze cycles or a couple Break-In cycles when new.
The results.....the Eneloops, even though new, did benefit from both the R/A cycles and from the Break-In cycles, with the Break-In cycles coming out just slightly ahead.
Go read the following thread...
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/175350
Batt# - Initial Capacity - BreakIn Cycle 1 - BreakIn Cycle 2
-----------------------------------------------------------
EL5 - 1478 mA - 2068 mA - 2150 mA
EL6 - 1477 mA - 2064 mA - 2141 mA
EL7 - 1468 mA - 2057 mA - 2141 mA
EL8 - 1488 mA - 2074 mA - 2169 mA
Generally speaking, the 'new' Eneloops have been sitting on the shelf for a year or two. General recommendations say to run a Break-In cycle on any battery that has been sitting idle for 3 months or more.
I think that the single test above shows that the batteries DID indeed benefit from 2 Break-In cycles, bringing them back up to their 'maximum' capacities. Not to mention helping to fully activate all the reactive materials in the battery.
I would say that, in general, if you want to try to maximize the life of your batteries. Run a Break-In cycle or two before ever using them. Then Run a R/A cycle every 10-15 cycles. Run a Break-In cycle every 25 or so.
Yes, you can just go ahead and start using them right out of the pack, although as the battery manufacturers state, "It may take a few charge/discharge cycles before the batteries reach their maximum performance".
For the low current draw devices, this is probably not too important. The high current draw devices, however, I think this becomes more of a factor for overall battery capacity/longevity.