Anybody using non-Sony batteries?

David Bourne · December 21st, 2005, 04:50 PM

I just got a new Impact brand battery from B&H (I used the dvinfo sponsor link!) and it is compatible with my HVR-A1U.

Impact BP-QM71 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (7.2v, 3500mAh) - replacement for Sony NP-QM71 Camcorder Battery

http://tinyurl.com/8b7u5

I hope it works for others, as well.

-David

Brian Rhodes · December 23rd, 2005, 12:43 AM

I ordered two (2) of the impact batteries from B & H for my Hvr-A1u. The camera powered up for about 2 minutes then a message appeared (insert Info-Lithium Battery). I exchanged the batteries for the Sony NP-QM71D, M-Series, Info-Lithium, Battery Pack (7.2v, 2760mAh) with LED DISPLAY. No problem.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=Sony+NP-QM71+

Randy Rogers · December 29th, 2005, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurence Kingston

Well the cheap generic Chinese "Sony" batteries (bought from two different distributers) gave me the same error message as the generics: "USE SONY INFOLITHIUM BATTERIES". Amazing since the packaging looked perfect, holograms and all!

I love the idea of thinking I'm getting a good deal on accessories and I've made the mistake of purchasing Chinese-made Sony camera batteries on eBay from sellers (usually located in Hong Kong). However, after doing this a couple of times, I've decided I've had enough. I'll just go ahead and pay the extra money for a true-blue Sony battery.

Sad but true... many of the non-OEM/after market manufacturers in China have no sense of shame whatsoever when it comes to stealing a company's logo and slapping it on a woefully inferior product copy. Basically, "anything to make a buck" philosophy. This isn't just me doing some "China bashing." I've lived in Asia for several years and know this from first-hand living experience.

Randy

Jeremiah Hall · January 6th, 2006, 06:10 PM

I noticed a brand of generic batteries as Sears, called Lenmar. I looked at their site. They say their NP-QM91D replacement (their's is called a LISQM91) will work with the A1U and the HC1. They also say their QM71 replacement will not work with the A1U or HC1, nor will their NPFM50 replacement.

Have not tried one yet, though.

Thought I'd pass that along.

David Bourne · February 21st, 2006, 08:41 PM

All was going well with my Impact brand BP-QM71 batteries until last Saturday night. I was shooting a concert; a multicam shoot with 4 other shooters and my Impact battery died halfway though my tape! This was a major problem because I lost sync with the 4 other cams.

My biggest problem with it was that the A1U said I had 100 minutes of battery left! Then 30 seconds later - no power. Obviously, the battery/camera communications were off. The battery should have lasted a lot longer than it did, too.

I will only use Sony batteries for critical shoots now.

Alexander Karol · February 21st, 2006, 10:35 PM

I said it before and I'll say it again.

For $37 you can get a GENUINE SONY QM71D battery from eBay. It's produced in Hong Kong, but it is indeed genuine. I contacted a Sony rep giving him my serial and he confirmed it. It has the hologram and everything. Can't go wrong with it.

Stevan Arychuk · February 21st, 2006, 10:54 PM

Alexander - how do you know which ones on ebay are genuine Sony? There are 2 different reports from 2 users in this thread (Lawrence and Randy) who said they bought what they thought were genuine batteries from a distributor in Asia but were fakes (or just didn't work).

I'm asking because I'm in the market for some batteries for my A1U, but after reading these horror stories I'm defiantely going genuine.

I have actually had good experiences with Lenmar batteries as Jeremiah mentions (on a GL2), but I've heard of similar incompatibility issues with their Sony batteries.

Alexander Karol · February 22nd, 2006, 12:12 AM

Hmmm, I wouldn't worry. Just make sure that the vendor has pictures and look for a hologram on the packaging. Both the batteries I purchased (from different vendors) have been working like a charm. Also make sure that GENUINE is on the description and you should be fine.

Bret Corbin · February 24th, 2006, 07:59 AM

I recently purchased an A1 from B&H along with a B&H recommended Impact brand QM71 battery. It seems to be working fine so far. Because it worked I ordered the Impact QM91 battery and it DID NOT work. I called B&H to get an RMA # and spoke with someone (sorry I don't know who) from the video department and was told that he personally tested 15 non-Sony batteries and some worked and some didn't. His recommendation was to only use Sony Batteries in this camera. He was also suprised that the Impact battery was a recommended accessory.

Alexander Karol · February 24th, 2006, 08:21 AM

Give the Hong Kong GENUINE Sony batteries from eBay a try. Have worked perfectly thus far. ;)

Robert M Wright · February 24th, 2006, 12:33 PM

I picked up a bunch of Rayovac NP-FM50 knockoffs from a surplus deal really cheap. They've been working fine in my TRV70, and came with palmcorder size camera bags to boot. Not sure what the heck to do with all these little camera bags though.

Stevan Arychuk · February 24th, 2006, 02:19 PM

@ Alexander

I put my faith in you! I ordered a 'Genuine' QM71D from HK from seller 'xin_vancouver' on Ebay. He had very detailed images and the packaging looks legit, and he explicitly states he's sold a bunch of these and they all worked without issue and promises they are not knock-offs. He also offers a 30-day return, although shipping back to HK will be a pain. We shall see!

- Stevan

Stu Holmes · February 24th, 2006, 03:04 PM

Hope it works out Stevan.

My only slight concern is tyhat Alex has a very early A1 and the firmware (basiocally software) running on the A1´s seems to have been revised and later models seem to be rather more 'picky' about what battery they use.

But here´s hoping you don´t have any issues with them !

Dave Lindsay · March 1st, 2006, 10:08 AM

Just wanted to bump and see if there was any more 'news' about the Lenmar batteries and the Z1 (yes, I realize this isn't the Z1 forum, but the discussion was started here) -- it's refusing them outright, correct?
Anyone have any luck with the 'genuine' Sony batteries from eBay (Alexander/Stevan)?

Jerry Waters · March 2nd, 2006, 10:00 PM

I bought both a Sony and an Assia brand on Ebay for my Z1 and have used both without problem for about 6 months. The charger treats both the same. The Assia cost about 40% of the Sony. It was advertised as a true Sony replacement.

December 21st, 2005, 04:50 PM	#16
David Bourne New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 16	Impact Battery Report I just got a new Impact brand battery from B&H (I used the dvinfo sponsor link!) and it is compatible with my HVR-A1U. Impact BP-QM71 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (7.2v, 3500mAh) - replacement for Sony NP-QM71 Camcorder Battery http://tinyurl.com/8b7u5 I hope it works for others, as well. -David

December 23rd, 2005, 12:43 AM	#17
Brian Rhodes Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 753	Impact Battery I ordered two (2) of the impact batteries from B & H for my Hvr-A1u. The camera powered up for about 2 minutes then a message appeared (insert Info-Lithium Battery). I exchanged the batteries for the Sony NP-QM71D, M-Series, Info-Lithium, Battery Pack (7.2v, 2760mAh) with LED DISPLAY. No problem. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=Sony+NP-QM71+

February 21st, 2006, 08:41 PM	#20
David Bourne New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 16	Impact Battery Report 2: BEWARE All was going well with my Impact brand BP-QM71 batteries until last Saturday night. I was shooting a concert; a multicam shoot with 4 other shooters and my Impact battery died halfway though my tape! This was a major problem because I lost sync with the 4 other cams. My biggest problem with it was that the A1U said I had 100 minutes of battery left! Then 30 seconds later - no power. Obviously, the battery/camera communications were off. The battery should have lasted a lot longer than it did, too. I will only use Sony batteries for critical shoots now.

February 24th, 2006, 07:59 AM	#24
Bret Corbin Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Vista, California Posts: 25	Impact batteries I recently purchased an A1 from B&H along with a B&H recommended Impact brand QM71 battery. It seems to be working fine so far. Because it worked I ordered the Impact QM91 battery and it DID NOT work. I called B&H to get an RMA # and spoke with someone (sorry I don't know who) from the video department and was told that he personally tested 15 non-Sony batteries and some worked and some didn't. His recommendation was to only use Sony Batteries in this camera. He was also suprised that the Impact battery was a recommended accessory.

March 2nd, 2006, 10:00 PM	#30
Jerry Waters Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 136	I bought both a Sony and an Assia brand on Ebay for my Z1 and have used both without problem for about 6 months. The charger treats both the same. The Assia cost about 40% of the Sony. It was advertised as a true Sony replacement. __________________ Jerry Waters Arize Productions

January 6th, 2006, 06:10 PM	#19
Jeremiah Hall Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 69	I noticed a brand of generic batteries as Sears, called Lenmar. I looked at their site. They say their NP-QM91D replacement (their's is called a LISQM91) will work with the A1U and the HC1. They also say their QM71 replacement will not work with the A1U or HC1, nor will their NPFM50 replacement. Have not tried one yet, though. Thought I'd pass that along.

February 21st, 2006, 10:35 PM	#21
Alexander Karol Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 198	I said it before and I'll say it again. For $37 you can get a GENUINE SONY QM71D battery from eBay. It's produced in Hong Kong, but it is indeed genuine. I contacted a Sony rep giving him my serial and he confirmed it. It has the hologram and everything. Can't go wrong with it.

February 21st, 2006, 10:54 PM	#22
Stevan Arychuk Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Portland, OR / Vancouver, Canada Posts: 26	Alexander - how do you know which ones on ebay are genuine Sony? There are 2 different reports from 2 users in this thread (Lawrence and Randy) who said they bought what they thought were genuine batteries from a distributor in Asia but were fakes (or just didn't work). I'm asking because I'm in the market for some batteries for my A1U, but after reading these horror stories I'm defiantely going genuine. I have actually had good experiences with Lenmar batteries as Jeremiah mentions (on a GL2), but I've heard of similar incompatibility issues with their Sony batteries.

February 22nd, 2006, 12:12 AM	#23
Alexander Karol Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 198	Hmmm, I wouldn't worry. Just make sure that the vendor has pictures and look for a hologram on the packaging. Both the batteries I purchased (from different vendors) have been working like a charm. Also make sure that GENUINE is on the description and you should be fine.

February 24th, 2006, 08:21 AM	#25
Alexander Karol Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 198	Give the Hong Kong GENUINE Sony batteries from eBay a try. Have worked perfectly thus far. ;)

February 24th, 2006, 12:33 PM	#26
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	I picked up a bunch of Rayovac NP-FM50 knockoffs from a surplus deal really cheap. They've been working fine in my TRV70, and came with palmcorder size camera bags to boot. Not sure what the heck to do with all these little camera bags though.

February 24th, 2006, 02:19 PM	#27
Stevan Arychuk Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Portland, OR / Vancouver, Canada Posts: 26	@ Alexander I put my faith in you! I ordered a 'Genuine' QM71D from HK from seller 'xin_vancouver' on Ebay. He had very detailed images and the packaging looks legit, and he explicitly states he's sold a bunch of these and they all worked without issue and promises they are not knock-offs. He also offers a 30-day return, although shipping back to HK will be a pain. We shall see! - Stevan

February 24th, 2006, 03:04 PM	#28
Stu Holmes Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 844	Hope it works out Stevan. My only slight concern is tyhat Alex has a very early A1 and the firmware (basiocally software) running on the A1´s seems to have been revised and later models seem to be rather more 'picky' about what battery they use. But here´s hoping you don´t have any issues with them !

March 1st, 2006, 10:08 AM	#29
Dave Lindsay New Boot Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6	Just wanted to bump and see if there was any more 'news' about the Lenmar batteries and the Z1 (yes, I realize this isn't the Z1 forum, but the discussion was started here) -- it's refusing them outright, correct? Anyone have any luck with the 'genuine' Sony batteries from eBay (Alexander/Stevan)?