Panasonic DVX / DVC Battery topics

Alex Knappenberger · June 20th, 2003, 11:19 PM

Them look exactly like the power2000 batteries from B&H. I have a power2000 battery (that appears to be the $36 one listed on that first site) at B&H, that I paid $45 for. It's a good battery, they advertise like 3 hours, but I get about 4 hours out of it with the LCD. Thats on my small camcorder though, i'm sure it would be less on your DVX100. You might want to spend a couple more dollars and go with B&H.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh2/con...=227282&is=REG

Oh yeah, as always, check out www.resellerratings.com before you buy.

Yang Wen · June 21st, 2003, 07:38 AM

Those batteries are not like the Power2000, I'd recommend getting your generic batteries from Ebay if yo REALLY want to save money. The Power2000 is $70 but it's 3600mah, those 2800mah on your sites costs $70. I just picked up a battery from Eagle International, paid $30 for a 2800mah battery.

Stephen van Vuuren · June 21st, 2003, 08:53 AM

Thanks for the input. Yes, I'm longtime user of resellerratings since I've been in the computer field for way too long.

Yang:

Thanks for the ebay tip. I've seen them there, but ebay can be a real hit and miss, especially with electronics.

Stephen van Vuuren · June 21st, 2003, 11:14 AM

Yang:

Can't find Eagle International on ebay...

Chris Hurd · June 21st, 2003, 11:29 AM

Please forgive the snobbery, but why would you spend upwards of three thousand dollars on a very nice camera, and then chintz out on the batteries you're feeding it? Why risk a questionable Ebay purchase just to save a few bucks? I don't get it, sorry.

You could get me to buy LenMar third-party batts, but I wouldn't settle for any other brand than that, outside the manufacturer's. You guys are talking about price differences less than $50. Don't you want the best available for the camera you spent so much money on? How many charge cycles are these cheap things good for.

Stephen van Vuuren · June 21st, 2003, 11:38 AM

Price is not always an indicator of quality. That's why I'm asking.

Plus, if you are buying 2-3 batteries plus an extra charger, $50 does add up especially if you may be buying an anamorphic adaptor and stabilization system :)

I put the expensive tapes in my cam and other items that directly affect operation. But if these generic batteries perform the same (BH Photo does sell them), I don't seem the problem.

Stephen van Vuuren · June 28th, 2003, 08:55 AM

Update: I ordered two batteries from Eagle Importers on Ebay for $29.95 each - appears to be a very reputable company. They shipped same day UPS ground, had them in two days. They charged fine and appear to work just fine - won't know for several months if they run out early.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2935031173&category=15072&rd=1

Yang Wen · June 28th, 2003, 04:04 PM

Chris Hurd: The DVX100 by all accounts is still considered to be a poorman's camera. It's probably the best lowcost solution for many of us. If you can save $30-$50 per battery, then it adds up really quick. I'm planning on buying 2 or 3 more batteries from Eagle Importers, all for under $90. To some extend, it's like buying Eveready batteries over Duracell. Plus if you understand how batteries are made, the generic batteries are no different than namebrands, less the brand of battery cells they used. In this case, it's panasonic cells.

Jarred Land · June 30th, 2003, 12:07 PM

i second eagle importers, I bought the 2800mah version from them

Rob Taylor · July 1st, 2003, 06:38 PM

I am using Lenmar batteries with my DVX, no problems with them. I've been using them for years now. Good batteries.

Rob

Greg Filipkowski · July 6th, 2003, 10:31 AM

I have to buy a battery that lasts for at least 4 hours,where is the best price and which one?

ThankX

Stephen van Vuuren · July 6th, 2003, 10:32 AM

See this thread for varying opinions:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11074

Neil Slade · July 12th, 2003, 03:47 PM

Okay Folks, I did a test using the

PANASONIC "5 hour" 2800 mAh battery 6.8 oz weight

versus the

SAKAR "for Panasonic" "5 hour" 3000 mAh battery, 6 oz weight.

Ran both with the LCD open and the camera on record.

The Panasonic ran 2 hours 48 minutes. Suprising good. $109 at Soundtrack.

The Sakar (aftermarket sold by Buydig.com- who CAN be depended on for their name brand products otherwise) ran 51 minutes on PLAY only with LCD open. BLECCHH. $119 at buydig.com JEEZZ!!

Both batteries were fully charged. First time use.

Stick with the majors for batteries, eh?

Neil Slade
www.NeilSlade.com

Jeff Kilgroe · July 12th, 2003, 06:59 PM

I'm using the Power2000 2800mAh batteries. I'm getting 2.5+ hours out of them. Good batteries for the money...

$59 at Amazon.com via JandR.

Neil Slade · July 12th, 2003, 08:51 PM

Is this with the LCD open and in RECORD?

My Sakar "Professional Lithium Battery" is even worse in RECORD/LCD mode
- 24 measley minutes. Good God.

Just dreadful. If this is a defective battery-- it should have never escaped the factory--
sending it back tomorrow and not giving them a second chance. The .8 ounces lighter weight than the Panasonic of lesser mAh was the tipoff.

Panasonic=195 grams, $109 plus tax

Sakar=170 grams, $119 at buydig.com

The Eagle Import battery advertised as 191 grams for $36 includes postage. Will give that a try. search for NEW 3Hr BATTERY FOR PANASONIC DV CAM CGR-D28A on ebay.com from Eagle Imports
Looks like they are being more honest about the expected time life per charge.
Neil

June 21st, 2003, 08:53 AM	#48
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	Thanks for the input. Yes, I'm longtime user of resellerratings since I've been in the computer field for way too long. Yang: Thanks for the ebay tip. I've seen them there, but ebay can be a real hit and miss, especially with electronics. __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com

June 21st, 2003, 11:14 AM	#49
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	Yang: Can't find Eagle International on ebay... __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com

June 21st, 2003, 11:29 AM	#50
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Please forgive the snobbery, but why would you spend upwards of three thousand dollars on a very nice camera, and then chintz out on the batteries you're feeding it? Why risk a questionable Ebay purchase just to save a few bucks? I don't get it, sorry. You could get me to buy LenMar third-party batts, but I wouldn't settle for any other brand than that, outside the manufacturer's. You guys are talking about price differences less than $50. Don't you want the best available for the camera you spent so much money on? How many charge cycles are these cheap things good for. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 21st, 2003, 11:38 AM	#51
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	Price is not always an indicator of quality. That's why I'm asking. Plus, if you are buying 2-3 batteries plus an extra charger, $50 does add up especially if you may be buying an anamorphic adaptor and stabilization system :) I put the expensive tapes in my cam and other items that directly affect operation. But if these generic batteries perform the same (BH Photo does sell them), I don't seem the problem. __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com

June 28th, 2003, 08:55 AM	#52
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	Update: I ordered two batteries from Eagle Importers on Ebay for $29.95 each - appears to be a very reputable company. They shipped same day UPS ground, had them in two days. They charged fine and appear to work just fine - won't know for several months if they run out early. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2935031173&category=15072&rd=1 __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com

June 20th, 2003, 11:19 PM	#46
Alex Knappenberger High School Student Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio, USA Posts: 609	Them look exactly like the power2000 batteries from B&H. I have a power2000 battery (that appears to be the $36 one listed on that first site) at B&H, that I paid $45 for. It's a good battery, they advertise like 3 hours, but I get about 4 hours out of it with the LCD. Thats on my small camcorder though, i'm sure it would be less on your DVX100. You might want to spend a couple more dollars and go with B&H. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh2/con...=227282&is=REG Oh yeah, as always, check out www.resellerratings.com before you buy.

June 21st, 2003, 07:38 AM	#47
Yang Wen Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 991	Those batteries are not like the Power2000, I'd recommend getting your generic batteries from Ebay if yo REALLY want to save money. The Power2000 is $70 but it's 3600mah, those 2800mah on your sites costs $70. I just picked up a battery from Eagle International, paid $30 for a 2800mah battery.

June 28th, 2003, 04:04 PM	#53
Yang Wen Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 991	Chris Hurd: The DVX100 by all accounts is still considered to be a poorman's camera. It's probably the best lowcost solution for many of us. If you can save $30-$50 per battery, then it adds up really quick. I'm planning on buying 2 or 3 more batteries from Eagle Importers, all for under $90. To some extend, it's like buying Eveready batteries over Duracell. Plus if you understand how batteries are made, the generic batteries are no different than namebrands, less the brand of battery cells they used. In this case, it's panasonic cells.

June 30th, 2003, 12:07 PM	#54
Jarred Land DVX User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 281	i second eagle importers, I bought the 2800mah version from them

July 1st, 2003, 06:38 PM	#55
Rob Taylor Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wilmington DE Posts: 98	I am using Lenmar batteries with my DVX, no problems with them. I've been using them for years now. Good batteries. Rob

July 6th, 2003, 10:31 AM	#56
Greg Filipkowski New Boot Join Date: May 2003 Location: NY Posts: 20	What is the best battery 4 Dvx100? I have to buy a battery that lasts for at least 4 hours,where is the best price and which one? ThankX __________________ You do it nice or you do it twice

July 6th, 2003, 10:32 AM	#57
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	See this thread for varying opinions: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11074 __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com

July 12th, 2003, 03:47 PM	#58
Neil Slade Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Denver Posts: 131	Battery Life Deceptive Okay Folks, I did a test using the PANASONIC "5 hour" 2800 mAh battery 6.8 oz weight versus the SAKAR "for Panasonic" "5 hour" 3000 mAh battery, 6 oz weight. Ran both with the LCD open and the camera on record. The Panasonic ran 2 hours 48 minutes. Suprising good. $109 at Soundtrack. The Sakar (aftermarket sold by Buydig.com- who CAN be depended on for their name brand products otherwise) ran 51 minutes on PLAY only with LCD open. BLECCHH. $119 at buydig.com JEEZZ!! Both batteries were fully charged. First time use. Stick with the majors for batteries, eh? Neil Slade www.NeilSlade.com

July 12th, 2003, 06:59 PM	#59
Jeff Kilgroe Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 681	I'm using the Power2000 2800mAh batteries. I'm getting 2.5+ hours out of them. Good batteries for the money... $59 at Amazon.com via JandR. __________________ - Jeff Kilgroe - Applied Visual Technologies \| DarkScience - www.darkscience.com

July 12th, 2003, 08:51 PM	#60
Neil Slade Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Denver Posts: 131	Battery Life Is this with the LCD open and in RECORD? My Sakar "Professional Lithium Battery" is even worse in RECORD/LCD mode - 24 measley minutes. Good God. Just dreadful. If this is a defective battery-- it should have never escaped the factory-- sending it back tomorrow and not giving them a second chance. The .8 ounces lighter weight than the Panasonic of lesser mAh was the tipoff. Panasonic=195 grams, $109 plus tax Sakar=170 grams, $119 at buydig.com The Eagle Import battery advertised as 191 grams for $36 includes postage. Will give that a try. search for NEW 3Hr BATTERY FOR PANASONIC DV CAM CGR-D28A on ebay.com from Eagle Imports Looks like they are being more honest about the expected time life per charge. Neil