I am using a duracell battery charger for NiMH AA batteries.

For the most part the batteries just drive pocket wizards etc but sometimes get heavier use with 580EX speedlights.

The batteries don't seem to hold a charge for very long.
During charging the LED light on the charger is solid red.
When the battery is charged this light turns off.
The charger holds 4 batteries and each battery has it's own LED indicator.

Some of the batteries never make it to the solid red stage that indicates charging.
The light for these batteries just blinks.

Does the blinking light mean the battery is defective and cannot be recharged?

The batteries seem to have no life span at all, though they haven't been used very much. If you charge up a battery and put it in a drawer for a week(without use) it's like it was never charged at all.

Is there a better battery system out there than AA/HR6/DC1500 NBiMH/1.2V?