DVXuser battery at DVinfo.net

Ruben Contreras · March 17th, 2006, 08:17 PM

Anyone out there have the DVXuser battery? Does it have all the magic that they claim?

Chris Hurd · March 18th, 2006, 12:43 AM

Have you tried asking at DVX User? www.dvxuser.com

Ruben Contreras · March 18th, 2006, 12:24 PM

I thought there'd be a bias. I come asking here hoping for a neutral opinion.

Brendan Bhagan · March 19th, 2006, 06:37 AM

I'll be ordering one in a few weeks, currently I have the original panasonic battery and an impact 3600mha replacement, will let you know.

Daniel J. Wojcik · March 19th, 2006, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruben Contreras

I thought there'd be a bias. I come asking here hoping for a neutral opinion.

Well, Jarred would probably not pop in and pimp his batteries. You'd get answers from people who bought them, though...pros and cons.

Actually, if you do a search, you'll probably find a few dozen threads in DVXUser talking about them already whoihc might save some time (and the inevitable "use the search" posts. :) )

Nathan Chaszeyka · March 19th, 2006, 10:44 PM

I have two of them and use them 4-5 days a week. They work great and have lasted for several months so far.

Hope that helps.

John DuMontelle · March 27th, 2006, 06:12 PM

I'm a fan of the DVXuser battery. It lives up to the sell.

Joe Kras · March 28th, 2006, 12:31 AM

I've got a couple (of the older models) that I've had for almost 2 years. They work just fine.

Reid Bailey · March 28th, 2006, 11:41 AM

I've got one and it works just fine.

Brian Henderson · May 2nd, 2006, 11:56 PM

Thanks. I had the same question and was also concerned about possible bias on that site. However, if John vouches for them, that's good enough for me!

How does the DVXuser battery compare the the Panasonic CGR-D54 (the big one) besides price? The Panasonic is $150, the DVXuser one is $80.

Jarred Land · May 6th, 2006, 06:29 PM

well i might as well come do some piming :)

ha ha ha.

anyways.. our batteries are very similar to the 5400's.. you probally wont know the difference. Same as the lenamars, very similar. Just beware of the really cheap ones, they are usually factory defects that have a huge voltage swing that isn't so good for sensitive electronics. Ours are cheaper then the panasonic ones not because they are cheaper to make, its just I get them right from the manufacture instead of going from the manufacturer to Panasonic then to a distributor then to the dealer.

There are a few places pimping 6000mah cells.. right now that mah rating is impossible, and the manufactures just re-label the 5400 cells as 6000mahs... i know cause they asked me if I wanted to re-label mine as 6000 as a few of thier customers were requesting it.

To understand how the numbers work, its just like CPU manufacturing. They get in a box of 3.6v cells (for us they use those in pairs to get to 7.2v), they test them, and they test between say 5000mah and 5800mah. The majority of cells is the number they pick (like if 80% test at 5600, they mark them all at 5600). The better manufactures take the samples they tested at 5000-5200mah and put those in the lower class.

Regardless.. its all a number game, just get whatever battery works for you. Ours are midnight blue and have (i think) cooler labels, but besides that they all work about the same.

Rodger Marjama · May 6th, 2006, 09:08 PM

I've had 2 so far. Bought one when I bought my DVX about 2 years ago or so. First few charges, it didn't come up to full charge for some reason. Told Jarred about it, and he said to use it for awhile and see what happens. It started full charging shortly there after so I gave it no more thought. I guess it must have been almost a year later and it pooped out. Sent Jarred an email, he sent me a new battery. This ones been fine.

Seems about as good as you need it to be. As a manufacturer myself, I know what it takes to keep things going and customers happy. I'd say Jarred is doing it well.

-Rodger

Monte Comeau · May 7th, 2006, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarred Land

well i might as well come do some piming :)

Just beware of the really cheap ones, they are usually factory defects that have a huge voltage swing that isn't so good for sensitive electronics.

I have to respond to this comment. I have three $25 4800Mah batteries (Panasonic CGR-D54 clone) and have had no problems at all with them. In fact...they last just as long as the Panasonic CGR-D54 I have.
On a voltage meter they are consistent and identical to the Panasonic.

I am not knocking your product, and agree that if you get one with inconsistent voltage I would not use it...but in my personal opinion OEM's are really ripping off consumers. If DVXuser can offer the same battery for 50% of the price (and make a profit) then why can't another reseller offer the battery at an even further reduction?

I say shop around and test the product. They are selling similar batteries to the Panasonic CGR-D54 for $25 and there is no difference in quality.

Jonathan Shannon · May 7th, 2006, 07:24 PM

I appreciate your comment Monte. When I questioned the statement that cheaper batteries have voltage swings, I was emailed off-list by someone telling me that this is not true. So there are two different opinions on this. You've provided evidence that, at least with your "cheap" batteries, there is no voltage swing.

I bought two large capacity (5400?, 5800?) batteries from Overstock.com for $50 each. I did a lot of searching, and these identical batteries (CTA brand) cost 2 - 3 times as much elsewhere. They cannot be shipped to a P.O. Box, but Overstock only uses the United States Postal Service, so you must get US mail to a physical address (or a friend who does). I've had these batteries for about a month, so it may be a little early to tell how good they are...but I'm happy with them so far.

Jon

Monte Comeau · May 7th, 2006, 08:08 PM

Well I cannot speak for everyone but I have not had any problems with inexpensive batteries, I refrain from calling them 'cheap' because the quality has been on par with the expensive brands.

I have purchased 6 batteries now for two cameras at Battery Street and have had 100% success with them. The Sony FA70's I picked up there for $20 and Sony sells them for $140!! I paid less for these 6 batteries than the OEM's would have charged me for 1. Something is wrong with this picture.

I looked at their eBay feedback rating and it is well above 99% for over 6000 sales. Most of the problems were regarding out of stock issues, not product quality, I am sure that Panasonic, Sony etc. get at least that percentage of problems with battery sales.

I don't think the argument (fear mongering?) that inexpensive batteries are lower in quality, damage cameras, explode etc. hold much validity or there would be a huge backlash from the 6000+ customers.

March 17th, 2006, 08:17 PM	#1
Ruben Contreras New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 12	DVXuser battery Anyone out there have the DVXuser battery? Does it have all the magic that they claim?

March 18th, 2006, 12:43 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Have you tried asking at DVX User? www.dvxuser.com __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

March 19th, 2006, 10:44 PM	#6
Nathan Chaszeyka Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 63	I have... I have two of them and use them 4-5 days a week. They work great and have lasted for several months so far. Hope that helps.

March 27th, 2006, 06:12 PM	#7
John DuMontelle Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Miami, Florida USA Posts: 114	I have them for my DVX 100A I'm a fan of the DVXuser battery. It lives up to the sell. __________________ John DuMontelle - Freelance / Miami, Florida - USA http://www.latincamproductions.com/

May 2nd, 2006, 11:56 PM	#10
Brian Henderson New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Boston Massachusetts, USA Posts: 21	Thanks. I had the same question and was also concerned about possible bias on that site. However, if John vouches for them, that's good enough for me! How does the DVXuser battery compare the the Panasonic CGR-D54 (the big one) besides price? The Panasonic is $150, the DVXuser one is $80. Last edited by Brian Henderson; May 3rd, 2006 at 12:52 AM.

March 18th, 2006, 12:24 PM	#3
Ruben Contreras New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 12	I thought there'd be a bias. I come asking here hoping for a neutral opinion.

March 19th, 2006, 06:37 AM	#4
Brendan Bhagan New Boot Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Trinidad WI Posts: 22	I'll be ordering one in a few weeks, currently I have the original panasonic battery and an impact 3600mha replacement, will let you know.

March 28th, 2006, 12:31 AM	#8
Joe Kras Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 54	I've got a couple (of the older models) that I've had for almost 2 years. They work just fine.

March 28th, 2006, 11:41 AM	#9
Reid Bailey Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fredericksburg, Va Posts: 220	I've got one and it works just fine.

May 6th, 2006, 06:29 PM	#11
Jarred Land DVX User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 281	well i might as well come do some piming :) ha ha ha. anyways.. our batteries are very similar to the 5400's.. you probally wont know the difference. Same as the lenamars, very similar. Just beware of the really cheap ones, they are usually factory defects that have a huge voltage swing that isn't so good for sensitive electronics. Ours are cheaper then the panasonic ones not because they are cheaper to make, its just I get them right from the manufacture instead of going from the manufacturer to Panasonic then to a distributor then to the dealer. There are a few places pimping 6000mah cells.. right now that mah rating is impossible, and the manufactures just re-label the 5400 cells as 6000mahs... i know cause they asked me if I wanted to re-label mine as 6000 as a few of thier customers were requesting it. To understand how the numbers work, its just like CPU manufacturing. They get in a box of 3.6v cells (for us they use those in pairs to get to 7.2v), they test them, and they test between say 5000mah and 5800mah. The majority of cells is the number they pick (like if 80% test at 5600, they mark them all at 5600). The better manufactures take the samples they tested at 5000-5200mah and put those in the lower class. Regardless.. its all a number game, just get whatever battery works for you. Ours are midnight blue and have (i think) cooler labels, but besides that they all work about the same.

May 6th, 2006, 09:08 PM	#12
Rodger Marjama Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 101	I've had 2 so far. Bought one when I bought my DVX about 2 years ago or so. First few charges, it didn't come up to full charge for some reason. Told Jarred about it, and he said to use it for awhile and see what happens. It started full charging shortly there after so I gave it no more thought. I guess it must have been almost a year later and it pooped out. Sent Jarred an email, he sent me a new battery. This ones been fine. Seems about as good as you need it to be. As a manufacturer myself, I know what it takes to keep things going and customers happy. I'd say Jarred is doing it well. -Rodger __________________ Rodger Marjama www.speedwing.net

May 7th, 2006, 07:24 PM	#14
Jonathan Shannon Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Valley Springs, CA Posts: 34	I appreciate your comment Monte. When I questioned the statement that cheaper batteries have voltage swings, I was emailed off-list by someone telling me that this is not true. So there are two different opinions on this. You've provided evidence that, at least with your "cheap" batteries, there is no voltage swing. I bought two large capacity (5400?, 5800?) batteries from Overstock.com for $50 each. I did a lot of searching, and these identical batteries (CTA brand) cost 2 - 3 times as much elsewhere. They cannot be shipped to a P.O. Box, but Overstock only uses the United States Postal Service, so you must get US mail to a physical address (or a friend who does). I've had these batteries for about a month, so it may be a little early to tell how good they are...but I'm happy with them so far. Jon

May 7th, 2006, 08:08 PM	#15
Monte Comeau Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 71	Well I cannot speak for everyone but I have not had any problems with inexpensive batteries, I refrain from calling them 'cheap' because the quality has been on par with the expensive brands. I have purchased 6 batteries now for two cameras at Battery Street and have had 100% success with them. The Sony FA70's I picked up there for $20 and Sony sells them for $140!! I paid less for these 6 batteries than the OEM's would have charged me for 1. Something is wrong with this picture. I looked at their eBay feedback rating and it is well above 99% for over 6000 sales. Most of the problems were regarding out of stock issues, not product quality, I am sure that Panasonic, Sony etc. get at least that percentage of problems with battery sales. I don't think the argument (fear mongering?) that inexpensive batteries are lower in quality, damage cameras, explode etc. hold much validity or there would be a huge backlash from the 6000+ customers.