AT897 Shotgun, info please at DVinfo.net

Jon Omiatek · March 3rd, 2005, 11:15 AM

I have a AT897 and it doesn't have an on and off switch. Am I missing something or is the only off switch removing the battery. I don't have phanthom power.

Thanks,

Jon

Douglas Spotted Eagle · March 3rd, 2005, 11:26 AM

You are correct, there is no on/off switch. most professional mics don't have on/off switches. Removing the battery makes it "off" unless you have phantom, in which case it's always "on" until you turn off the phantom. Removing the battery when not using for a long period is a good idea anyway, to prevent potential battery leakage problems.

Jon Omiatek · March 3rd, 2005, 11:32 AM

Thank you. That is what I thought.

Jon

Cliff Hepburn · March 3rd, 2005, 01:04 PM

What's the lifespan of the battery in the AT897?

Jay Massengill · March 3rd, 2005, 01:24 PM

African or European? never mind... AT lists 1200 hours as typical. That's 50 days.

Cliff Hepburn · March 3rd, 2005, 02:43 PM

LOL,
is that 50 days of usage or 50 days of idle?

Jon Omiatek · March 3rd, 2005, 02:52 PM

Lets do the math. 1200 hours would be 50 days. That is great life out of 1.5 volts

Jon

Bryan Beasleigh · March 3rd, 2005, 04:07 PM

If a shoot is of any importance it's a good idea to use fresh batteries on all equipment. My grandson gets the "old" batteries for his Thomas the Tank engines so nothing goes to waste.

Jon Omiatek · March 3rd, 2005, 04:22 PM

I agree. I always use brand new batteries every 2 times. I will shoot 2 weddings on a set and then I use them in my MP3 player. :)

Jon

Jonathan Nicholas · March 5th, 2005, 06:00 PM

But there's not really any need for new batteries each time on mics like this that use so little power!

Jon

Mark Sasahara · March 11th, 2005, 12:10 PM

It's called CYA-Cover Your Ass. New batts = no screw-ups.

Batteries are cheap, screw ups are expensive.

Jay Massengill · March 11th, 2005, 02:26 PM

And if you're paranoid (like I am) you test them with a meter that puts them under load and you clean the contacts.... Even new ones can be defective and fingerprints can significantly degrade the connection.

March 3rd, 2005, 11:15 AM	#1
Jon Omiatek Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 755	AT897 Shotgun, info please I have a AT897 and it doesn't have an on and off switch. Am I missing something or is the only off switch removing the battery. I don't have phanthom power. Thanks, Jon

March 3rd, 2005, 11:26 AM	#2
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	You are correct, there is no on/off switch. most professional mics don't have on/off switches. Removing the battery makes it "off" unless you have phantom, in which case it's always "on" until you turn off the phantom. Removing the battery when not using for a long period is a good idea anyway, to prevent potential battery leakage problems. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

March 3rd, 2005, 04:07 PM	#8
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	If a shoot is of any importance it's a good idea to use fresh batteries on all equipment. My grandson gets the "old" batteries for his Thomas the Tank engines so nothing goes to waste. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

March 11th, 2005, 12:10 PM	#11
Mark Sasahara Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 649	It's called CYA-Cover Your Ass. New batts = no screw-ups. Batteries are cheap, screw ups are expensive. __________________ Mark Sasahara Director of Photography

March 3rd, 2005, 11:32 AM	#3
Jon Omiatek Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 755	Thank you. That is what I thought. Jon

March 3rd, 2005, 01:04 PM	#4
Cliff Hepburn Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 75	What's the lifespan of the battery in the AT897?

March 3rd, 2005, 01:24 PM	#5
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	African or European? never mind... AT lists 1200 hours as typical. That's 50 days.

March 3rd, 2005, 02:43 PM	#6
Cliff Hepburn Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 75	LOL, is that 50 days of usage or 50 days of idle?

March 3rd, 2005, 02:52 PM	#7
Jon Omiatek Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 755	Lets do the math. 1200 hours would be 50 days. That is great life out of 1.5 volts Jon

March 3rd, 2005, 04:22 PM	#9
Jon Omiatek Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 755	I agree. I always use brand new batteries every 2 times. I will shoot 2 weddings on a set and then I use them in my MP3 player. :) Jon

March 5th, 2005, 06:00 PM	#10
Jonathan Nicholas Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 90	But there's not really any need for new batteries each time on mics like this that use so little power! Jon

March 11th, 2005, 02:26 PM	#12
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	And if you're paranoid (like I am) you test them with a meter that puts them under load and you clean the contacts.... Even new ones can be defective and fingerprints can significantly degrade the connection.