RPSharman Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Another topic got me thinking... I'm pretty sure all my L-series batteries are garbage at this point. Looking to replace them, and hoping folks here might have some **first-hand** experience with either Sony or after-market batteries, and can share what to look for and to avoid. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deep owl Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 The Lenmar equivalent NP-F970 works very well. The one I have doesn't communicate with the Sony charger properly however. It seems to think the battery has a capacity of like 700 hours. But it does charge full up and lasts a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Hirtenstein Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 go for the Lenmar LIS970p. half the price of the Sony's and they have an extra 1500 mAH each! i've been using them for a year without a single issue and they still hold a comparable charge to new it seems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Hirtenstein Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 The Lenmar equivalent NP-F970 works very well. The one I have doesn't communicate with the Sony charger properly however. It seems to think the battery has a capacity of like 700 hours. But it does charge full up and lasts a long time. yeah the Sony charger doesn't always know what is going on, but just let it run overnight and you'll be good to go in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Evans Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 I have a Lenmar that I would avoid. Its contacts are a simple "L" shape, pressed into the corners of the housing. The "normal" contacts I've seen on every other L-mount are cylindrical and require full penetration between the battery and the device. The Lenmar I have gave me fits recently when I realized it would not mount properly to my Lectro battsled. I don't know if every Lenmar is this way, but it's something to look out for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProSound Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Maximal power available on Amazon I have 6 of them for my SR hops they make the slim and larger version all work great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted March 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Maximal power available on Amazon I have 6 of them for my SR hops they make the slim and larger version all work great I'll start with this recommendation, since they're half the price. Thanks, Whitney. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordi Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Looking at the comments and reviews of the Maximal Power, they sound a lot like my experience with some "impact" branded L-series. The construction is extremely cheap and thin plastic, the contacts pull out and rip off the internal wires VERY easily... And I've had 2 of them just refuse to take a charge without warning. For something powering your mission-critical recorder or even the whole bag like I have it... I'm starting to believe that perhaps the cheapest option isn't the best option. I have yet to look at the Pearstone version, but for these Maximal / impact versions... I'll pass. I'd rather spend a few dollars more and have them more durable and last a lot longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_bollard Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 I've been happy with batts I have bought off eBay, often at extremely low prices. Initially I used them for my 744 but I have since moved on to using external power and only the smallest battery as an internal, just do I can hot swap the NP1. The eBay versions likely have a lower cycle life but more than bade up for in the purchase price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Watch out for L Mounts on Ebay. I bought what I thought were Sony branded batteries and they turned out to be fakes, with very low capacity. I now pay the price of batteries from an audio dealer so I know I'm getting the real deal. philp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Yep, I agree with PhilP above: there are some counterfeit and weird brands on eBay, some of which are not quite kosher. Robert, what are you powering with the L-batteries? The SD 788 or wireless, or what? There may be some alternatives out there beyond the L batteries. Having said that, I use 2 or 3 Sony 4500 mAH InfoLithium batteries I've had for many years, only as a double-secret emergency backup in case my main power fails (on the cart) or the BDS fails (in the bag). The Sony's came in handy once when I was on a shoot that nearly shut down because of a camera viewfinder problem, and by a miracle, their monitor took the same batteries I used. Once in a while, the sound department can be heroes for the camera guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Ragon Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Last 3 I bought from Overstock.com, worked pretty good. NP-F970 for 40 bucks each! Looks like they don't sell them anymore though. -Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProSound Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Looking at the comments and reviews of the Maximal Power, they sound a lot like my experience with some "impact" branded L-series. All I can say is that I have used them for over a year with zero issues and getting over 12 hours easily with the slim one on my SRA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted March 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Just got the Maximal battery, and I have to say the build quality (on appearance) is better than any I have seen, with the exception maybe of an original Sony. I only have one of those, which I bought in an emergency some years ago. My 7-Series were delivered new with non-Sony batteries anyway, so I'm thinking this might be a pretty good find. I'll charge it up and give it a whirl. Unfortunately, I will very rarely use it, but I'll try to test it out on the 744T over the next couple of weeks. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNinja Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 Anyone have any experience with Wasabi Power batteries? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Deakin Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 Its great with sushi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNinja Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 Its great with sushi haha I bought 4 wasabi powers from amazon.com cause all my friends say they are solid so I'll try them out. Also, kinda going off topic, but whats the advantages of using an NP-1 battery vs a Sony NP-F L series batteries? I saw Hawk-woods makes something that's an 4pin-hirose that can be plugged into a SD 633 and powered by L series batteries instead of NP-1. Also, does anyone make an L-series batt adaptor like this: http://www.hawkwoods.com/Prods/details.php?id=84 in North America? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobbiesodd Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 Also, does anyone make an L-series batt adaptor like this: http://www.hawkwoods.com/Prods/details.php?id=84 in North America? I use the Hawkwoods DV-SQN4S to power my bag (nomad + 4xSRB) and I love it. I bought a dozen aftermarket NPF770s and (usually) only change once a day during lunch. The batts last a while, I just make sure and buy the ones with the highest mAH rating. Tons of bang for your buck. My only criticism is size/shape of the Hawkwoods does not allow for a super easy hot-swap. Whereas NP1s or Audio Root batts slide in and out easily, I have to pull the until out of my bag, swap, then replace. Not the biggest inconvenience, but the space it uses is a little awkward. This topic and unit has been discussed in detail here many times. Try searching around for more great info about this product. Cheers, Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismedr Posted February 13, 2015 Report Share Posted February 13, 2015 Also, kinda going off topic, but whats the advantages of using an NP-1 battery vs a Sony NP-F L series batteries? generally speaking the lithium NP-1 will output 14.4V, allow for hight power draw and longer runtimes, while NP-F form batteries will run at 7.2V but being cheaper and lighter. chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BudRaymond Posted February 14, 2015 Report Share Posted February 14, 2015 Avoid Pearstone batteries from B&H. The 788 pulls too much current to power up from these. I've been buying OEM Sony batteries, and while more expensive, you get what you pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Kicklighter Posted February 14, 2015 Report Share Posted February 14, 2015 i imagine it may be different for 7 series, but ive had compatibility/connection issues with the sound devices L style batts on my SR. switched to sony and they work every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Ray Harris Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Anyone have any experience with Wasabi Power batteries? I have two with my Hawkwoods setup, work great. Lenmar as well. The Wasabi batteries don't lock in as tight, so the top clip doesn't lock down when they're in the slot. I actually like this because it makes it easier to swap batteries. I use the Hawkwoods DV-SQN4S to power my bag (nomad + 4xSRB) and I love it. I bought a dozen aftermarket NPF770s and (usually) only change once a day during lunch. The batts last a while, I just make sure and buy the ones with the highest mAH rating. Tons of bang for your buck. My only criticism is size/shape of the Hawkwoods does not allow for a super easy hot-swap. Whereas NP1s or Audio Root batts slide in and out easily, I have to pull the until out of my bag, swap, then replace. Not the biggest inconvenience, but the space it uses is a little awkward. This topic and unit has been discussed in detail here many times. Try searching around for more great info about this product. Cheers, Evan My solution for my Stingray/633 setup is to velcro the hawkwoods to the inside of the bottom hatch, then when I need to swap which is only after 12+ hours usually, I unclip the hatch and the batteries drop out the bottom, suspended by the velcro. Makes it easier to access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korey Pereira Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 On 2/16/2015 at 2:20 PM, Nick Ray Harris said: I have two with my Hawkwoods setup, work great. Lenmar as well. The Wasabi batteries don't lock in as tight, so the top clip doesn't lock down when they're in the slot. I actually like this because it makes it easier to swap batteries. My solution for my Stingray/633 setup is to velcro the hawkwoods to the inside of the bottom hatch, then when I need to swap which is only after 12+ hours usually, I unclip the hatch and the batteries drop out the bottom, suspended by the velcro. Makes it easier to access. I also use the Hawkwoods to power my 788t+SRb and this would make my life so much easier - looks like it is time to get a new bag with a bottom hatch! Thanks for the idea!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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