Bryan Beasleigh
April 10th, 2004, 09:06 PM
I have 2 Sound devices mixers and a PMD 670 recorder. My field monitor also has a 12volt DC option. Which Chemistry is best?
1. I'm looking at voltage requirments
2. Battery life(number of cycles)
3. Cost
4. Convenience
The PMD670 needs 13 volts but no less than 11volts A 12volt NP1 will discharge to 10 volts so that presents a problem.
The ideal would be a 13.2 NiCad, for the PMD670 at any rate. I haven't checked the specs but I imagine the monitor would be similarly effected.
The Sound Devices 302 or Mix Pre aren't fussy, so long as it's more than 5 volts and less than 18.
Most chargers are dual Chemistry, NiCad and NiMH. the reliability edge apparently stays with the Nicad. the NiMH is lighter but prone to self discharge. left unused it will lose it's charge.
The Li-Ion seems to have everything going for it except cost. The NP1 batteries are 2 to 3 times the cost but have almost 2/3 more capacity. They aren't good in a high discharge situation like lighting.
The cost of chargers is another matter. There was a low cost IDX charger for Nicads only. They were built for a promotion and B&H bought a ton of them . Now they're out of stock and I'm doubtful they'll be able to get any more.
The IDX I 200 will charge and/or condition 2 batteries sequentially. the I 200 is good for NP1 of either NiCad or NiMH chemistry as well as BPstyle batteries. the charger is auro sensing for charging and conditioning as well as input and ouput volyages. This charger is aprox $270 on the street.
For an extra $100 you pichup the Li-Ion battery type as well. this charger will also accept a cable to charge the newer endura line.
($370 street)
Basic pricing for the batteries is
NiCad
IDX NP1,12 volt , 29 watt hours - $60
Aspen NP1, 13.2 volt 25 watt hours - $70
IDX NP1DX, 13.2 volt, 32 watt hours, c/w charge status leds - $90
NiMH
Aspen NP50, 13.2, 50 watt hours, status leds - $100
IDX NPH50DX. 13.2 volt , 50 watt hours, status leds- $105
Li-Ion
IDX NP-L50S 14.4 volts, 50 watt hours, 3 status LED's - $160
There are more but the prices get silly.
So WhaddaYouThink?????????????????????????????
1. I'm looking at voltage requirments
2. Battery life(number of cycles)
3. Cost
4. Convenience
The PMD670 needs 13 volts but no less than 11volts A 12volt NP1 will discharge to 10 volts so that presents a problem.
The ideal would be a 13.2 NiCad, for the PMD670 at any rate. I haven't checked the specs but I imagine the monitor would be similarly effected.
The Sound Devices 302 or Mix Pre aren't fussy, so long as it's more than 5 volts and less than 18.
Most chargers are dual Chemistry, NiCad and NiMH. the reliability edge apparently stays with the Nicad. the NiMH is lighter but prone to self discharge. left unused it will lose it's charge.
The Li-Ion seems to have everything going for it except cost. The NP1 batteries are 2 to 3 times the cost but have almost 2/3 more capacity. They aren't good in a high discharge situation like lighting.
The cost of chargers is another matter. There was a low cost IDX charger for Nicads only. They were built for a promotion and B&H bought a ton of them . Now they're out of stock and I'm doubtful they'll be able to get any more.
The IDX I 200 will charge and/or condition 2 batteries sequentially. the I 200 is good for NP1 of either NiCad or NiMH chemistry as well as BPstyle batteries. the charger is auro sensing for charging and conditioning as well as input and ouput volyages. This charger is aprox $270 on the street.
For an extra $100 you pichup the Li-Ion battery type as well. this charger will also accept a cable to charge the newer endura line.
($370 street)
Basic pricing for the batteries is
NiCad
IDX NP1,12 volt , 29 watt hours - $60
Aspen NP1, 13.2 volt 25 watt hours - $70
IDX NP1DX, 13.2 volt, 32 watt hours, c/w charge status leds - $90
NiMH
Aspen NP50, 13.2, 50 watt hours, status leds - $100
IDX NPH50DX. 13.2 volt , 50 watt hours, status leds- $105
Li-Ion
IDX NP-L50S 14.4 volts, 50 watt hours, 3 status LED's - $160
There are more but the prices get silly.
So WhaddaYouThink?????????????????????????????