Canon XL1 & XL1S Batteries / Battery Options

Vince Halushka · March 13th, 2007, 02:59 PM

I am just checking to see if a 7000mah will be safe to use over the long run.
I know my small handy cam does not like generic batteries when the mah does not match the sony batteries which are very expensive. so I am hesitant to buy generic batteries for my XL1S.

I am going with one of each..one canon and one generic.
How long of a shoot do you get with a bp-945???
I was filming a sled race outdoors at -30c this weekend and my extended life 945 wasn't performing too good. I was hoping to get more than an hour of shooting from 3 batteries???? :)

Cole McDonald · March 13th, 2007, 03:05 PM

I got a 5 hour battery from http://www.ebatts.com, it's been working great for me for a year!

This one: http://www.ebatts.com/canon_xl1s_cam...rt_b-9534.aspx

Mark Holland · March 14th, 2007, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince Halushka

I am just checking to see if a 7000mah will be safe to use over the long run.
I know my small handy cam does not like generic batteries when the mah does not match the sony batteries which are very expensive. so I am hesitant to buy generic batteries for my XL1S.

I am going with one of each..one canon and one generic.
How long of a shoot do you get with a bp-945???
I was filming a sled race outdoors at -30c this weekend and my extended life 945 wasn't performing too good. I was hoping to get more than an hour of shooting from 3 batteries???? :)

"I am just checking to see if a 7000mah will be safe to use over the long run."

Well, I see absoultely no safety issue. The 7000 mAh battery will simply have more power available to the camera than a 4500 mAh battery. That's all, period. As for shooting outdoors in -30 temps, then the temperature you were in was probably the cause of the battery's short life, not the brand you used. If the cold temps are normal for your shooting conditions, I'd say you need to pack more batteries and anticipate shorter life between charges.

"How long of a shoot do you get with a bp-945???"

It all depends on the camera, how you use it, and the environmental conditions. In my side by side comparison, my GL-1 gets a lot more use out of a battery than my GL-2. Most likely, the XL series will get usage similar to the GL-2. I know it's not the definitive answer you're looking for, but even my personal battery use times vary constantly. I get more life from batteries at some shoots than at others.

The battery that Cole references above may work just fine, but the generics I get off of e-bay are $25.00 with shipping. It's a good risk for me, and I've been satisfied with all of my generics. If anyone would like the info on the dealer I bought from, e-mail me and I'll share it with you.

Mark

Richard Alvarez · March 14th, 2007, 09:03 AM

I'm not sure specifically about the XL1, but page 15 of the manual for the XL2 has a table for battery life. The typical recording time with the 20x lens and color viewfinder for the BP-945 is 135 min. I use the manual 16x lens, but I have the fu-1000 viewfinder.,,, TRT is 115 mins per the tables recommendation. That seems about right for my generic batts.

IF you really need extended time, I suggest investing in the ch-910 batt charger. That way you put two batts on to shoot. Figure a good two to three hours shooting easy... and you can change one batt while the other one is being used.

Alex Dolgin · March 14th, 2007, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince Halushka

I know my small handy cam does not like generic batteries when the mah does not match the sony batteries which are very expensive. so I am hesitant to buy generic batteries for my XL1S.

Canon and Sony batteries are 2 different animals. Sony has a build in smart circuit that talks to the camera using their proprietary "InfoLithium" protocol, which they periodically change. Because of that, the generics are not always accepted by the Sony cameras. Once they change their protocol, the battery is rejected as foreign.
Canon does not have this limitation. Any battery that makes a connection through (+) and (-) contacts, is accepted.
Many generics overstate their actual charge capacity by a huge number. The only one I am familiar with that tests to the same number as claimed, is Lenmar.

Brandon Nichols · February 5th, 2008, 08:23 AM

I am about to begin work on a project and it has been approved in the budget to purchase a couple new batteries ($200 budgeted), I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on batteries to use in a Canon XL1s unit that would stay within the budget (less than if possible), but will still provide a good amount of shooting time. The "official" cannon batteries seem pretty high priced.

Mark Holland · February 5th, 2008, 09:25 AM

I've been using generics for a few years in my GL cameras, with great results. The BP-945 equivalents cost about $25 each, including shipping. If you'd like details, e-mail me.

Mark

Alex Sprinkle · February 5th, 2008, 10:05 AM

Third party really hasn't let me down. I got an 8 hour battery on ebay for $35. It really only lasts about 7 hours, but that's fine with me.

Mike Meyerson · February 5th, 2008, 10:47 AM

In my experience with generics is they will work great for a while, but after about a year or so, they decline. Some of the one's I've bought aren't usable after a year.

As for OEM's....I still have the original battery that came with my XL1 in 2000, and it still works great. So you do get what you pay for...but if short term (and $$$$) is your concern, the generics will get the job done. They're all over ebay for around $25.

Brandon Nichols · February 5th, 2008, 11:00 AM

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I was worried about buying third party/generic because of the drastic price difference between the Canon batteries and these, but since everyone seems to agree that the generics seem to get the job done, I am looking at a third party/generic battery on amazon that is $17.95 before shipping. Going with something this far below my budgeted price range will even allow me to buy 1 more than planned as a backup and still be under budget.

The battery: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...2GDJR&v=glance

Don Palomaki · February 5th, 2008, 01:33 PM

I've had good luck with Lenmar LIC941s with my XL1 and Gl1, and am using the LIC950s with my XH-A1. Are they as good as a Canon? Maybe not (e.g., maybe last 4 years instead of five, and have had one replaced under warranty), but I'd say they are close enough for folk music or government work.

Cole McDonald · February 5th, 2008, 01:47 PM

I bought a 5 hour battery 3 years ago from www.ebatts.com and it still works like a champ. I have no problem recommending them to you, even with the cheesy sounding name.

Jack Smith · February 6th, 2008, 12:35 AM

ah ha nice job sliding one in Don.
Is anyone using a battery belt pack with the XL1(s)?

Don Palomaki · February 6th, 2008, 07:59 AM

Just a thought. Considering the runtime available from a camera-mounted battery (typically more than a full tape for most users/uses), unless you are powering a light or similar power hog, there is arguably not much advantage to a belt power pack, except maybe for the additional exercise value and the practice you get managing more wire/cable. My two cents, but everyone's situation is a bit different.

Ben Fiedler · February 19th, 2008, 07:49 PM

What is the brand and model number of the battery belt pack? I am looking to purchase one, and have not found anything that sticks out as compatible with my XL1s. What do I look for when looking for a belt pack? Is there some fancy adapter?

March 13th, 2007, 03:05 PM	#362
Cole McDonald Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN, USA Posts: 1,675	I got a 5 hour battery from http://www.ebatts.com, it's been working great for me for a year! This one: http://www.ebatts.com/canon_xl1s_cam...rt_b-9534.aspx __________________ Web Youtube Facebook

February 5th, 2008, 08:23 AM	#366
Brandon Nichols New Boot Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 19	XL1s Camera Batteries? I am about to begin work on a project and it has been approved in the budget to purchase a couple new batteries ($200 budgeted), I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on batteries to use in a Canon XL1s unit that would stay within the budget (less than if possible), but will still provide a good amount of shooting time. The "official" cannon batteries seem pretty high priced.

February 5th, 2008, 09:25 AM	#367
Mark Holland Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, & surrounding areas) Posts: 301	I've been using generics for a few years in my GL cameras, with great results. The BP-945 equivalents cost about $25 each, including shipping. If you'd like details, e-mail me. Mark __________________ These are my own opinions, based on my own mistakes...

February 5th, 2008, 10:05 AM	#368
Alex Sprinkle Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 408	Third party really hasn't let me down. I got an 8 hour battery on ebay for $35. It really only lasts about 7 hours, but that's fine with me. __________________ What if hand guns were really hand guns?

February 5th, 2008, 01:33 PM	#371
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	I've had good luck with Lenmar LIC941s with my XL1 and Gl1, and am using the LIC950s with my XH-A1. Are they as good as a Canon? Maybe not (e.g., maybe last 4 years instead of five, and have had one replaced under warranty), but I'd say they are close enough for folk music or government work. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

March 13th, 2007, 02:59 PM	#361
Vince Halushka Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Yellowknife canada Posts: 74	I am just checking to see if a 7000mah will be safe to use over the long run. I know my small handy cam does not like generic batteries when the mah does not match the sony batteries which are very expensive. so I am hesitant to buy generic batteries for my XL1S. I am going with one of each..one canon and one generic. How long of a shoot do you get with a bp-945??? I was filming a sled race outdoors at -30c this weekend and my extended life 945 wasn't performing too good. I was hoping to get more than an hour of shooting from 3 batteries???? :)

March 14th, 2007, 09:03 AM	#364
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	I'm not sure specifically about the XL1, but page 15 of the manual for the XL2 has a table for battery life. The typical recording time with the 20x lens and color viewfinder for the BP-945 is 135 min. I use the manual 16x lens, but I have the fu-1000 viewfinder.,,, TRT is 115 mins per the tables recommendation. That seems about right for my generic batts. IF you really need extended time, I suggest investing in the ch-910 batt charger. That way you put two batts on to shoot. Figure a good two to three hours shooting easy... and you can change one batt while the other one is being used.

February 5th, 2008, 10:47 AM	#369
Mike Meyerson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: mahopac, NY Posts: 293	In my experience with generics is they will work great for a while, but after about a year or so, they decline. Some of the one's I've bought aren't usable after a year. As for OEM's....I still have the original battery that came with my XL1 in 2000, and it still works great. So you do get what you pay for...but if short term (and $$$$) is your concern, the generics will get the job done. They're all over ebay for around $25.

February 5th, 2008, 11:00 AM	#370
Brandon Nichols New Boot Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 19	Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I was worried about buying third party/generic because of the drastic price difference between the Canon batteries and these, but since everyone seems to agree that the generics seem to get the job done, I am looking at a third party/generic battery on amazon that is $17.95 before shipping. Going with something this far below my budgeted price range will even allow me to buy 1 more than planned as a backup and still be under budget. The battery: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...2GDJR&v=glance

February 5th, 2008, 01:47 PM	#372
Cole McDonald Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN, USA Posts: 1,675	I bought a 5 hour battery 3 years ago from www.ebatts.com and it still works like a champ. I have no problem recommending them to you, even with the cheesy sounding name. __________________ Web Youtube Facebook

February 6th, 2008, 12:35 AM	#373
Jack Smith Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ontario Posts: 445	ah ha nice job sliding one in Don. Is anyone using a battery belt pack with the XL1(s)?

February 6th, 2008, 07:59 AM	#374
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Just a thought. Considering the runtime available from a camera-mounted battery (typically more than a full tape for most users/uses), unless you are powering a light or similar power hog, there is arguably not much advantage to a belt power pack, except maybe for the additional exercise value and the practice you get managing more wire/cable. My two cents, but everyone's situation is a bit different. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

February 19th, 2008, 07:49 PM	#375
Ben Fiedler New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cedar Rapids Posts: 6	Whats the model and Brand? What is the brand and model number of the battery belt pack? I am looking to purchase one, and have not found anything that sticks out as compatible with my XL1s. What do I look for when looking for a belt pack? Is there some fancy adapter?