Impact batteries are a gamble as are some of the other after market brands. I have one for my A1 that works great and I have some for my Canon still cameras that work great too. However, I also have 2 Impacts that don't work because they don't fit right. It's a hard choice because when they work, the Impacts are a lot cheaper.

I have used Lenmar after market batteries over the years with success. No noticeable difference between them and similar rated Canon in XL1 or GL1. However, be aware that some older Lenmar models (e.g., the LIC941) may not fit the A1 because they are a hair too large for the compartment. The LIC950 fits, and I hear the LIC970 fits, and appear to work OK in the A1.

John, the UL2-6 is a 12volt light and has a powertap connector, the XHA1 is 7volt and no PT out, how are you powering that light?

Scott, this is what i use to power up the ultralight2:

Anton Bauer Digital DIONIC 90 Lithium Ion Battery 14.4V 90 WH. I've been using this battery before at work so I didn't have to put up with the cash.

Batteries Question - GL2 to A1?
 

Can you use batteries from a GL2 in an XH A1? I see that they fit, but the specs are a little different, and BH doesn't cross reference them.

No problem using them.

If you're using after-market batteries, they can become stuck in the compartment though, so be sure to fix some tape around it to use as a handle to remove.

If they fit easily, you are OK.

As noted some after market batteries are a too tight fit, my experience is this applies to some batches of the Lenmar LIC941.

Try batteries carefully before a shoot. It wilt be no fun having a battery stuck and not replaceable during a shoot.

Replacement Battery Charger
 

Not sure how this happened, but somehow over the Christmas Chaos, I lost my battery charger in the mess. I've looked high and low and there are no signs of it anywhere. So I figured I'd just buy a replacement.... HOLY CRAP!! They're how much!!!?? Cheapest I've seen is $120 plus shipping. Guess I should have taken better care of that little black box. So I was just considering getting one of the off brand chargers for $30. Has anyone had any experience with these? I'm thinking I cannot use these to power the camera directly though. Any chance they might destroy my batteries or worse, my camera?
Thanks everyone.
-Tracy Smith

You can try these links:

http://www.sabahoceanic.com/epages/s...ducts/06009009

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/AC-DC-Battery-Ch...QQcmdZViewItem

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/Charger-For-CANO...sid=p1638.m118


From 3$ to 26$ (sabaoceanic sells very great products, including Japan cell BP-970 7500mah at 67$

Bye

hav u retraced u steps... i sometimes lose chargers because I go to events (parties, christmas...) with low batteries and I plug into the friends house to charge. i hav not used a non-oem charger for this camera but i have for my hv20 and others cameras without any issue.

Cheap battery
 

Hi there,

As I was looking for some extra equipment for my XH-A1, I discovered some extreme cheap batteries on ebay. These no-name batteries are being sold as ok-quality with all the necessary features (received a CE-mark for having protection against overheating, shortcircuiting en overcharging). I wonder if anyone has ever tested one of those. They are being sold for under $20,- in Germany.

'7,2V/7,4V Li-ion Power ErsatzAkku BP-930'

As there must be some policy preventing links to such sites I won't include it in my post.
I know I should be very very sceptic about such things and I would be very willing to test such a battery, but I would regret it when it would destruct my camera. So I hope anyone has some experience using those no-name batteries!

I have buyed some other Brand Batteries a years a go for my XM1. Even four Mark Batteries from Duracell - and no one of them did the work more than one and half year.
I have looking "into" my Sony, Duracell and Canon Batteries - all of them (Sony too) uses Panasonic LiIon Cells. With identical Cells should it not be a difference - but my Canon Batt buyed with XM1 is still working good in my XHA1 and two 7 years old BP 930 too. I have 4 dead Duracells and 3 dead NoNames.
Because Cells in Canon Batteries are selected to build a good battery, because Canon batteries have better electronic to balance the Voltage of the cells by Charging.
If you buy something others - its cheaper, but its everytime a lottery.

You have answered your own question. If you buy "cheap" it could turn out to be very expensive.

Yeah I know it's kinda ignorant to asume the cheap batteries offer the same as the more expensive ones. However, sometimes ppl pay just for the name, for example in the inkjetprinter cardridge sector. Some tests proved that other no-name cardridges had the same or even better quality. And according to some miniDVtape-discussions on this board, expensive doesn't always mean the best quality or the best choice.
So Im just curious if the price for Canon batteries is name-based or quality based. Ivan makes me think it's all about quality.

Hello Thomas,

If you're looking for a good and cheap solution:

http://www.koopdigitaal.nl/product_d..._product=24545

This adres is pretty much close to Enschede too. I can tell, because I have been there many times.

But still, it may seem silly to buy an original BP970 but they are VERY good.
You can film up to eight hours on one battery!

I have two: the original 950 and a original 970.

The battery is the main powersource of your camera. It brings your camera to life! If something bad happens to that battery the same thing could happen to your camera. Just think of it.....

I know the A1 is a pretty nice and expensive camera. It's good. Very good. So choose the right hardware for your camera: batteries, cables, tapes etc.

I believe that most users have found that recognized brand name after market batteries will provide decent service and return on investment equal to or perhaps better than OEM batteries. However, as with all mass produced items there is variation among samples.

The truly generic (no name) batteries would tend to be more of a gamble, in part because there are no market forces to keep them "honest" in the interest of protection their name/reputation. Some of the reduced cost is thanks to less allowance for distribution channels, advertising, quality control, packaging, and warranty service.

Ultimately you pay your money and take your chances.

On the topic of non-Canon batteries...
 

Has anyone tried these?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=489615&is=REG

I guess you haven't seen a melt down on your camera yet. I can tell you it is not a pretty sight. My friend had a battery from china (ebay) and his 3000 euros camera when in for repair after it melt down inside the battery compartment. The fake batteris tend to get stuck in the compartment too. And with the bp 970 , there is no room at all to move, so when that gets stuck, you have a handful trying to get it out.

Sometimes you get lucky but I"m not willing to risk my 3000 euro camera for anything less. If anything happens, you are not covered.

Spend the extra money and you can sleep at night or even during a shoot.It is a great investment. The original batteries last a long time, I still have some batteries that are from an XL1.

I have two original BP 970 and many extra original XL1 batteries and one original BP 950 that came with the camera.

Based on the size of those batteries in the photo, & with that adapter needed, I don't see how the battery compartment door could even close.

"This plate attaches to the camcorder via the battery mount allowing a Series 7 SL-50 to power the camcorder. "

That is strange. There is no battery mount--it's inside. I don't see how this could work at all.

My guess is that the battery is the same size as the BP 950 and when you place it over their plate it works out to be the same size like the BP 970. and you slide it in like the Bp 970. But again, I'm only guessing.

Maybe I'm wrong, it has a Capacity 7000 mAh , so that can't be right. the BP 950 has only 5200 mAh and the BP 970 has 7200 mAh. I don't think the plate fit the size of 200 mAh in mass size of the battery.

I am working with electric RC Planes and cars. They needs currents up to 140A and due to this has every battery much harder life as a camera battery. Here is abolutelly necesarry to use computer measurement technology for charging and balancing batteries and cells. To build a competitive battery pack, you need hundreed of cells to select 10 cells with optimal parameters for a pack.
You can buy 6cells for a battery pack for 30 Euro or 6 cells from the same brand and type for 250 Euro. All cells looks absolutly identical - but the 6 one for 250 Euro are measured as cells with lovest resistance and highest Voltage. They are pushed and matched and you win the competition, because your car can push and accelerate harder and for a longer time.
These are many options how to make a camera battery cheaper. But to be really sure to buy quality - you have to buy Canon batteries - even with extra payment for Canon logo.

Upon looking at that photo again... I agree, there's no way that thing would even fit in the battery compartment. My previous comment about the door not closing should be retracted! :))

Waiting for renders gives me the opportunity to be a googlelite! Found this :-\

http://www.series7battery.com/

Wow, doesn't it make the XHA1 even heavier in the front being what it is already. I guess when you add the Wd72 wide angle lens, the thing is nose diving...

Woah! I had no idea that thing connected ontop of the hot shoe like that, or externally from the battery compartment, where I thought it would go, since it's, you know...a battery. This is not practical for me at all. I'm really glad you posted that link Bill...

For having a 2006 copyright notice, the Series7 web site is pretty lame as far as providing information about their products; e.g., no user manuals, no FAQ, etc.

Battery protector
 

Is there a convention for which way to fit the cover on charged and discharged camera batteries? Which is the colour (blue or grey) which should show through the slot for each?

if you read the manual it states that blue is charged and grey is empty, but it is total up to you. I have them this way so that I know which is which when I have a long shoot, especially weddings...

Oh dear - a case of RTFM! Sorry about that and thanks for reply.

Incidently I use the PDF manual much more than the paper one because I can find things a lot quicker, but in this case I didn't look at all.

has anyone tried the Impact line?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ery_Pack_.html

I have an impact battery for an XH-A1. It has worked fine.

how long have you been using it?

Hallo Thomas

If you're looking for a good and cheap solution:


Look here i use 2 of them for a year no problems.


http://www.saake-shop.nl/products/Ca...2F+BP-941.html

do they fit the a1 slot?

any update on Impact battery users?? It's either two of these, or one from Canon :(

Arnold,

Does this battery have the same amount of electrical contacts as the original BP970 of Canon?

Groeten,

Gert

i too also have the Impact BP970. It has 7600 mAh, been using it for over a year now. Let me give you a nice scenario.

I charged this battery about 1.5-2weeks ago until it was full. I threw it in my camera bag, I had 4 tapes of HD footage on my desk that needed to be captured.

Now all the capture was done about almost 2weeks later.

1) I rewind all the tapes, then i capture.
2) Four hours later, the battery was only at half mark. My camera LCD was on so i could see the video, plus audio was up too.

4 tapes, 4 rewinds, 4 captures with playback on lcd(video/audio). Battery only at half mark.


I would definitely recommend this battery. Not a single regret at all, it fits the camera perfectly too!

I use allot of Impact batteries (B&H sells them) in various electronics I have and they've all been great- no issues at all.

thankyou for those comments! I am buying my Impact BP970 right now from B&H.

ok, i lied...ended up going with the Canon battery...now I can sleep at night.