Erin Bliss Posted February 4, 2021 Report Posted February 4, 2021 I'm looking at adding a couple backup 49wh batteries for my Cantar Mini. I see batteries that pretty much look the same to me from Remote Audio ($105 at Trew), Aaton ($129 at Gotham), and Audioroot ($151 at Trew). Is there any good reason to get the Aaton or Audioroot units? Quote
JonG Posted February 4, 2021 Report Posted February 4, 2021 They’re all the same. They are made by the same company and rebranded by all these companies. Quote
RadoStefanov Posted February 4, 2021 Report Posted February 4, 2021 Buy ORIGINAL MANIFACTURER "Inspired Energy" from AudioDepartment or Gotham Sound. I was the first to find them and use them and they have never failed me. I dont trust the batteries from "others" because i had them fail on me after 30-40 charges. If I need something reliable i go to the source! Quote
TimP Posted February 4, 2021 Report Posted February 4, 2021 I bought 2 extra Audioroot batteries to replace a few of my first generation Aaton batteries (I think audio root battery with aaton “ID customization”). And although specs should be exactly the same, these new Audioroot batteries do not eject easily. You need to pull hard to get them out. I work mainly over shoulder on documentary and cannot eject them with one hand. I changed to the newest Aaton labeled RCC ones, and they work great. (The simple battery check of the Aaton ones I like better also... Quote
axel Posted February 5, 2021 Report Posted February 5, 2021 audioroot now has two "half size" battery lines, the classic 49 WHs and the "neo" 48 WHs. The difference is that the new "neo" ones sport an oled display that lets you read all battery data even without being connected to SMBus gear. The slightly smaller net capacity seems to be due to the additional power needed for the display and ICs. But the price is awesome: the new series is about 30% cheaper than the traditional (101 USD instead of 145). With new Software Cantar X3 can now also read non Aaton battery data, so very likely the Mini can do it too. Quote
RadoStefanov Posted February 5, 2021 Report Posted February 5, 2021 2 hours ago, axel said: audioroot now has two "half size" battery lines, the classic 49 WHs and the "neo" 48 WHs. The difference is that the new "neo" ones sport an oled display that lets you read all battery data even without being connected to SMBus gear. The slightly smaller net capacity seems to be due to the additional power needed for the display and ICs. But the price is awesome: the new series is about 30% cheaper than the traditional (101 USD instead of 145). With new Software Cantar X3 can now also read non Aaton battery data, so very likely the Mini can do it too. I always have a half a inspire energy battery in my harness. what is a Non Aaton battery data? All batteries should be SmBuss. Quote
yizhye20 Posted February 5, 2021 Report Posted February 5, 2021 audio root got a different screen, but they are all the same to be honest. audio root is hard to active because of the screen. Quote
jwill Posted February 5, 2021 Report Posted February 5, 2021 Inspired Energy! 98 W , 2 days powering 633, 48 v to shotgun and SRC and Hop!! Quote
drpro Posted February 5, 2021 Report Posted February 5, 2021 Just bought some IE 98w batteries that have a third party label on them for 90usd each. Also use RRC plus the Aaton batteries that came with the recorder. Two plus years now and no issues. I use the Aaton charger and bought an RRC charger from Mouser. Quote
RadoStefanov Posted February 5, 2021 Report Posted February 5, 2021 1 hour ago, drpro said: Just bought some IE 98w batteries that have a third party label on them for 90usd each. Also use RRC plus the Aaton batteries that came with the recorder. Two plus years now and no issues. I use the Aaton charger and bought an RRC charger from Mouser. I was told RRC are copies made in China and not using the best Panasonic cells. 1 hour ago, yizhye20 said: audio root got a different screen, but they are all the same to be honest. audio root is hard to active because of the screen. I had 2 “third party” fail on me after 40-50 charges. I will disassemble one to see what is inside. Quote
drpro Posted February 6, 2021 Report Posted February 6, 2021 The two I just bought are Inspired Energy batteries, just with another vendor label on the outside. Case and serial numbers matched up with IE. Quote
yizhye20 Posted February 6, 2021 Report Posted February 6, 2021 23 hours ago, RadoStefanov said: I was told RRC are copies made in China and not using the best Panasonic cells. I had 2 “third party” fail on me after 40-50 charges. I will disassemble one to see what is inside. just some Panasonic 18650. so in some cases you can turn them into a 3054 with NCR18650F Quote
axel Posted March 13, 2021 Report Posted March 13, 2021 On 2/5/2021 at 5:29 PM, RadoStefanov said: I always have a half a inspire energy battery in my harness. what is a Non Aaton battery data? All batteries should be SmBuss. on top of the SMBUS info those IE batteries can be "branded" by software. So Aaton at first only provided basic SMbus functionality like discharge % and provisional runtime with non Aaton branded batteries. With branded ones you could also see the actual capacity vs nominal capacity, nr of charge cycles and some more. Quote
RadoStefanov Posted March 14, 2021 Report Posted March 14, 2021 2 hours ago, axel said: on top of the SMBUS info those IE batteries can be "branded" by software. So Aaton at first only provided basic SMbus functionality like discharge % and provisional runtime with non Aaton branded batteries. With branded ones you could also see the actual capacity vs nominal capacity, nr of charge cycles and some more. All smbus readers show that information on smbus is battery. . Nothing to do with the branded battery. Quote
foliver Posted March 15, 2021 Report Posted March 15, 2021 We have 2x 98KW/H, and the cantar X3 charger, doesn't allows to plug both at the same time, it can charges just one with the other out of the charger.... What a F&%$()" charger Quote
RadoStefanov Posted March 15, 2021 Report Posted March 15, 2021 6 minutes ago, foliver said: We have 2x 98KW/H, and the cantar X3 charger, doesn't allows to plug both at the same time, it can charges just one with the other out of the charger.... What a F&%$()" charger Just get a Inspired energy charger for charging. I have to check but I believe I paid $100 for my CH4040 dual simultaneous charger without calibrator. Inspired energy have a lot of good options. If you want the extra info like charging cycles get audioroot one. Quote
RadoStefanov Posted March 15, 2021 Report Posted March 15, 2021 Or if you want solar: XS-60 Portable Solar Panel 60W – Antigravity Batteries Quote
foliver Posted March 15, 2021 Report Posted March 15, 2021 6 hours ago, RadoStefanov said: Or if you want solar: XS-60 Portable Solar Panel 60W – Antigravity Batteries Thanks Rado for your info! Quote
arturo Posted April 2 Report Posted April 2 How about this brand? I tried to disassemble it, and it contained Panasonic batteries. It is prefect to use. Quote
RadoStefanov Posted April 2 Report Posted April 2 Just buy the original Inspired energy. They are cheap and have never failed me since I found them " with VIN's help" maybe 10 years ago. Check AudioDept or Gotham sound have good prices. Quote
igomarsound Posted April 4 Report Posted April 4 I would avoid USA brands right now as an european ,.. not trying to start a debate just factually stating that the trade war has taken a very agressive path right now. it's not boycott it's just a fair response to the madness that will bring more inflation to all of us. @arturo where did you source this chinese grace battery ? I would go for audioroot, an european brand, if i were looking to get more packs... Quote
The Documentary Sound Guy Posted April 4 Report Posted April 4 RRC is the OEM for Audioroot I believe. HQ in Germany: https://www.rrc-ps.com/en/battery-packs/standard-battery-packs/products/RRC2054-2 Quote
RadoStefanov Posted April 4 Report Posted April 4 On 4/4/2025 at 12:01 PM, The Documentary Sound Guy said: RRC is the OEM for Audioroot I believe. HQ in Germany: https://www.rrc-ps.com/en/battery-packs/standard-battery-packs/products/RRC2054-2 As far as I know they are made in china battery. Might have changed through the years. Inspire energy use the best Panasonic cells and are the original manufacturers. Former Energizer employees. No reason to buy those especially now with extra 25% on them. If in the USA buy american made. Quote
The Documentary Sound Guy Posted April 4 Report Posted April 4 Both igormarsound and I are *not* in the USA, and therefore it useful for us to have non-USA options. With tariffs, RRC will be cheaper for us. Quote
RadoStefanov Posted April 5 Report Posted April 5 14 hours ago, igomarsound said: I would avoid USA brands right now as an european ,.. not trying to start a debate just factually stating that the trade war has taken a very agressive path right now. it's not boycott it's just a fair response to the madness that will bring more inflation to all of us. @arturo where did you source this chinese grace battery ? I would go for audioroot, an european brand, if i were looking to get more packs... If you dont want to start a discussion dont say anything. Holding my libs closed. 🙂 There is no USA brands. There is an USA brand. Inspired energy. The original maker. Audio root even with tariff and vat are more expansive than the IE. Quote
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