VX & PD series battery / batteries

Marius Svendsen · December 13th, 2002, 03:32 PM

yeah, Sony's are great.
It's kinda like some people are buying 3rd party products just to save a few extra bucks, "it's not the quality that counts, but the price". I see some cases were that happend.
people get tricked that way....

Jay Enterkin · March 19th, 2003, 11:31 PM

I noticed the article on the VX2000 Companion page about the third-party dual battery charger for the VX2000/PD150 (and also fits some other batteries apparently) at $49.95.

Has anybody had any experience with the Sony BCV-615 Portable AC Charger for L Series Lithium-Ion Batteries? B&H has it for $45. I was thinking I would rather go with the BCV-615 unless there's something I don't know...

Federico Prieto · March 21st, 2003, 05:49 AM

I have one year using the Sony BCV-615 Portable AC Charger without problems....

Federico

Fernando Regencio · March 24th, 2003, 02:02 PM

Hi gang,
Just blew most of my savings but finally reached my goal of owning my own brand new vx2k.
But now in order for my fun journeys to begin I will need a decent
carrying case/bag and an extra capacity battery and charger.
Can you please send me some recommendations on both?
And what is the difference between the Sony batteries (other than the expensive part) and the aftermarket ones sold by www.sabahoceanic.com?
Another question regarding the batteries is: Witch one provides a better balance to the camera? The F750 or the F960?
I could realy use the help on this subject ASAP since I'm traveling to Europe on April 16 and need the proper packing and the extra batteries.
BTW, what's the best way, in this times of extra security and strong X-ray machines at airports, to travel with the vx2k?
Thank's all

Harry Settle · March 24th, 2003, 05:23 PM

Batteries. . . bigger is better. You won't be sorry. There are some off-brands available for around $89.00 for the 960's. I got mine from B&H.

As for cases. A lot of us are purchasing alluminum, briefcase style tool boxes, which are padded and divided for photo use. The coimmon one is available at Lowes Home centers and Home Depot centers. They are the "Workforce" toolboxes. You can see them at WWW.Lowes.com. There is another similar box that I recently found at Menard's homecenters that is padded and divided inside, and, has the 2" foam blocks just like many higher priced cases. These may sound like a "Mickey Mouse" setup, but if you check them out you will be surprised at the quality. I have one for each of my VX-2000's, and will get others for some of my accessories. I think someone on this site stated that he owns 7 of them.

Harry Settle · March 24th, 2003, 05:29 PM

Has anyone looked into making battery packs for powering up their vx's?

I manufactured a battery pack for my Minolta Dimage 5 following directions from a site online (results verified by other Dimage users) using gel-cell batteries which are used in emergency lighting units for buildings.

I was wondering if anyone had looked into doing something similar with their camcorders?

Mike Rehmus · March 24th, 2003, 05:45 PM

Given the 5 hour run-time with the NP960 batteries, the thought has never crossed my mind. Do you need extraordinary run times?

I have built 'video carts' for use with bigger cameras in the past. Using an automotive battery in the base for camera and light power.

Now, with the advent of the large Lithium Ion batteries for the large cameras, even that has changed. Now I only use the car batteries for powering my two NRG VariLight Pro's.

Mike Rehmus · March 24th, 2003, 05:52 PM

My only adventures with non-Sony batteries was bad. Get the 960. It is great to run all day on a single battery (assuming you don't leave the camera on all day.

The metal cases probably will not work since you want to (I assume) carry the camera as cabin baggage. At least most I've seen are over the size limit.

I carry my PD150 all over using the semi-hard case that Sony provides. I believe it comes from Petrol and is rectangular in shape. It carries everything I need to operate the camera except a tripod. Filters, batteries, WA adapter, cables, microphones and charger all fit inside and it meets the size limits for cabin baggage.

Call B&H and talk to them. They can suggest a bag that will work for you.

Jay Enterkin · March 24th, 2003, 07:45 PM

I agree with Mike about sticking to Sony batteries. I bought one of the aftermarket batteries, and while I have never had an actual problem with it, it only lasts about 70% as long (per recharge) as my Sony batteries of the same size/class. And of course when I bought it, I was told it would last "longer than the actual Sony brand".

It doesn't say what brand it is, but where the Sony batteries say "infoLithium", this one says "infoTech". On the inside it says "For Sony LI-ION Ultra High Power".

Bryan Beasleigh · March 24th, 2003, 09:16 PM

You spent more than a few bucks on your gear treat the camera to nice bag. I've tried them all and the portabrace has to be the very best in terms of build and fit. This is just my opinion.

http://www.portabrace.com/asp/ProdDesc.asp?DescCode=CS

The petrol is second and beautifully built. It desn't quite have the room the portabrace does buy it is nice.
http://www.petrolbags.com/cgi-bin/petrolbags/Camera_Bags_Soft_Protection.html?id=VXABUiy2#PDB-1

Stay with Sony batteries. I've heard bad things about off brands.

Jan O. Norrman · March 25th, 2003, 01:19 AM

porta brace cs-dv3 (b&h usd 169.95) is especially made for vx2k/pr150.

Boyd Ostroff · March 25th, 2003, 08:40 AM

Regarding the batteries, definitely go with the 960's. They are amazing. I have run for 6 hours with the LCD screen on the whole time and still showed several hours capacity left. I like the balance with the 960 too, especially if I'm using the wide angle adaptor lens.

Scott Thomas · March 25th, 2003, 09:02 AM

What is the difference between the Sony 950 and the 960. I bought a 950 off of eBay and it seems to last forever too.

Mike Rehmus · March 25th, 2003, 02:45 PM

I believe it is just an earlier model. I have a 960 and a 930 (4 years old at least). As long as they say InfoLithium, they will work. Otherwise they will allow the camera to power up whereupon the camera will display the message that it requires InfoLithium and then shut down.

Garret Ambrosio · March 27th, 2003, 11:38 AM

I suspected those NON-Sony's to be crap. Make some deals on eBay. I bought 2 Brand new sealed in the Clam shell Sony NP-F960's for 42.95 each + $6.00 Shipping for both.

December 13th, 2002, 03:32 PM	#16
Marius Svendsen Regular Crew Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 79	yeah, Sony's are great. It's kinda like some people are buying 3rd party products just to save a few extra bucks, "it's not the quality that counts, but the price". I see some cases were that happend. people get tricked that way.... __________________ Marius Svendsen Interlaced Media svendsen_ms@hotmail.com

March 19th, 2003, 11:31 PM	#17
Jay Enterkin Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina Posts: 33	Sony battery charger I noticed the article on the VX2000 Companion page about the third-party dual battery charger for the VX2000/PD150 (and also fits some other batteries apparently) at $49.95. Has anybody had any experience with the Sony BCV-615 Portable AC Charger for L Series Lithium-Ion Batteries? B&H has it for $45. I was thinking I would rather go with the BCV-615 unless there's something I don't know... __________________ http://www.wholmmovies.com/ website for the OTHER indie films

March 24th, 2003, 02:02 PM	#19
Fernando Regencio Tourist Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hillside, NJ Posts: 2	Advice on Batteries and cases for vx2k Hi gang, Just blew most of my savings but finally reached my goal of owning my own brand new vx2k. But now in order for my fun journeys to begin I will need a decent carrying case/bag and an extra capacity battery and charger. Can you please send me some recommendations on both? And what is the difference between the Sony batteries (other than the expensive part) and the aftermarket ones sold by www.sabahoceanic.com? Another question regarding the batteries is: Witch one provides a better balance to the camera? The F750 or the F960? I could realy use the help on this subject ASAP since I'm traveling to Europe on April 16 and need the proper packing and the extra batteries. BTW, what's the best way, in this times of extra security and strong X-ray machines at airports, to travel with the vx2k? Thank's all __________________ Fernando Regencio

March 24th, 2003, 05:23 PM	#20
Harry Settle Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 276	Batteries. . . bigger is better. You won't be sorry. There are some off-brands available for around $89.00 for the 960's. I got mine from B&H. As for cases. A lot of us are purchasing alluminum, briefcase style tool boxes, which are padded and divided for photo use. The coimmon one is available at Lowes Home centers and Home Depot centers. They are the "Workforce" toolboxes. You can see them at WWW.Lowes.com. There is another similar box that I recently found at Menard's homecenters that is padded and divided inside, and, has the 2" foam blocks just like many higher priced cases. These may sound like a "Mickey Mouse" setup, but if you check them out you will be surprised at the quality. I have one for each of my VX-2000's, and will get others for some of my accessories. I think someone on this site stated that he owns 7 of them. __________________ "DOH"!!!

March 24th, 2003, 05:29 PM	#21
Harry Settle Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 276	Home made battery packs for VX's Has anyone looked into making battery packs for powering up their vx's? I manufactured a battery pack for my Minolta Dimage 5 following directions from a site online (results verified by other Dimage users) using gel-cell batteries which are used in emergency lighting units for buildings. I was wondering if anyone had looked into doing something similar with their camcorders? __________________ "DOH"!!!

March 21st, 2003, 05:49 AM	#18
Federico Prieto Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 117	I have one year using the Sony BCV-615 Portable AC Charger without problems.... Federico

March 24th, 2003, 05:45 PM	#22
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Given the 5 hour run-time with the NP960 batteries, the thought has never crossed my mind. Do you need extraordinary run times? I have built 'video carts' for use with bigger cameras in the past. Using an automotive battery in the base for camera and light power. Now, with the advent of the large Lithium Ion batteries for the large cameras, even that has changed. Now I only use the car batteries for powering my two NRG VariLight Pro's. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 24th, 2003, 05:52 PM	#23
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	My only adventures with non-Sony batteries was bad. Get the 960. It is great to run all day on a single battery (assuming you don't leave the camera on all day. The metal cases probably will not work since you want to (I assume) carry the camera as cabin baggage. At least most I've seen are over the size limit. I carry my PD150 all over using the semi-hard case that Sony provides. I believe it comes from Petrol and is rectangular in shape. It carries everything I need to operate the camera except a tripod. Filters, batteries, WA adapter, cables, microphones and charger all fit inside and it meets the size limits for cabin baggage. Call B&H and talk to them. They can suggest a bag that will work for you. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 24th, 2003, 07:45 PM	#24
Jay Enterkin Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina Posts: 33	stay with Sony batteries I agree with Mike about sticking to Sony batteries. I bought one of the aftermarket batteries, and while I have never had an actual problem with it, it only lasts about 70% as long (per recharge) as my Sony batteries of the same size/class. And of course when I bought it, I was told it would last "longer than the actual Sony brand". It doesn't say what brand it is, but where the Sony batteries say "infoLithium", this one says "infoTech". On the inside it says "For Sony LI-ION Ultra High Power". __________________ http://www.wholmmovies.com/ website for the OTHER indie films

March 24th, 2003, 09:16 PM	#25
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	You spent more than a few bucks on your gear treat the camera to nice bag. I've tried them all and the portabrace has to be the very best in terms of build and fit. This is just my opinion. http://www.portabrace.com/asp/ProdDesc.asp?DescCode=CS The petrol is second and beautifully built. It desn't quite have the room the portabrace does buy it is nice. http://www.petrolbags.com/cgi-bin/petrolbags/Camera_Bags_Soft_Protection.html?id=VXABUiy2#PDB-1 Stay with Sony batteries. I've heard bad things about off brands.

March 25th, 2003, 01:19 AM	#26
Jan O. Norrman New Boot Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 13	porta brace cs-dv3 (b&h usd 169.95) is especially made for vx2k/pr150. __________________ jon

March 25th, 2003, 08:40 AM	#27
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Regarding the batteries, definitely go with the 960's. They are amazing. I have run for 6 hours with the LCD screen on the whole time and still showed several hours capacity left. I like the balance with the 960 too, especially if I'm using the wide angle adaptor lens.

March 25th, 2003, 09:02 AM	#28
Scott Thomas New Boot Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5	Sony Batteries What is the difference between the Sony 950 and the 960. I bought a 950 off of eBay and it seems to last forever too. __________________ Scott

March 25th, 2003, 02:45 PM	#29
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I believe it is just an earlier model. I have a 960 and a 930 (4 years old at least). As long as they say InfoLithium, they will work. Otherwise they will allow the camera to power up whereupon the camera will display the message that it requires InfoLithium and then shut down. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 27th, 2003, 11:38 AM	#30
Garret Ambrosio Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 263	I suspected those NON-Sony's to be crap. Make some deals on eBay. I bought 2 Brand new sealed in the Clam shell Sony NP-F960's for 42.95 each + $6.00 Shipping for both.