Best Batteries for HPX500?

[Emre Tufekci s.o.a.]

I would recommend (if it’s in your budget to get the dionic 160). Extended run time (5.5 hours of tape time on a mpeg-imx sony camera, 4.9 hours on panasonic dvc-pro50) is great but due to it’s mass it allows the camera to be better balanced on your shoulder. You should be able to literally take your hands off and have it sit at your shoulder.

If not dionic 90’s are great but the camera remains front heavy.

Cheers,

Emre
http://www.productionpit.com
Boxx Tech PC, dual-dual AMD 2.0,4BG ram,Avidexpress HD w/Mojo,UVW-1800,DSR-25, Adobe production studio.

“Creative cow is udder madness.”

[Bob Woodhead]

Are you going with the AB Titan 70? (It’s charger/adapter that “lives” on the Gold Plate… really small & light – no AC adapter to trip over.) I ordered the combo deal of Dionic 90 & Titan 70. Unfortunately, the TItan is due to arrive this Monday, so can’t give feedback (yet) as to how I like the concept.
I’ve got some recelled ProPacs & another charger, so the Titan & VERY lightweight Dionic 90 was a good choice for me for “run n’ gun” setups. Always have the Propacs to fall back on.

“Constituo, ergo sum”

Bob Woodhead / Atlanta
http://www.CoolNewMedia.net
Quantel-Avid-FCP-3D-Crayola
Panasonic HPX500

[Adam Smith]

I have the Tandem 70 power supply/charger and while I like it, I was disappointed to find out that it cannot charge while powering the camera. Add to that the fact that AntonBauer recommends that you have one charging station per battery and keep them on the charger when not in use, and having a one-slot charger OR power supply becomes limiting.

I’m also having a slight issue that I think is HPX500 related – in the manual it says to make sure any power supply is turned on before turning on the camera. I believe the power supply is a little slow to switch from charging to powering camera, because several times now I’ve turned on the camera only to get a low battery warning when I’m actually on AC. Only solution is to shut down and fire it up again.

So… while I’m a fan of the small, light, camera mounted AC supply… I’m not as excited about the charging end of things. My plan is to pick up one of the Tandem Twin dual-chargers for my actual charging, and then use the Tandem 70 almost purely for supplying power.

—
Video Photographer / Avid Editor / Final Cut Neophyte

[Bob Woodhead]

Yeah, I was aware of the charging issue, but the “cold boot” issue seems like it could be a tad annoying. Maybe the warning voltage warning for being on adapter could be modified below that “cold boot” voltage level….

On the one-slot AC/charger, my thoughts were: I’m usually on sticks, so keep the battery mounted (but’s cam’s on AC), it’s ready for the handhelds, turn cam off during breaks & lunch, so it’s charging. For longer no-AC days I’ve already got some old (recelled) ProPacs and an older charger. When not shooting I use the camera as a “feeder” to my NLE, so it can sit battery mounted, AC in, mostly in a charge-state.

Mostly I just loved the idea of a cam-mounted AC adapter. HOWEVER, I think if I want more LiON batteries (aka Dionic), I’ll buy one from a non-AB vendor for about 30% less (with it’s own charger in that price).

[Steve Eisen]

I have been using A/B batteries for 20 years (BP90’s, ProPac, Hytron, Dionic). I recently switched to the ANJI Lithium Ion Battery. The 160W battery costs $384 and the 190W is $436. The Charger is only $236

Here is a link:
https://www.anjibatteries.com/product.sc?categoryId=2&productId=6

Take that extra money you will save and buy an extra P2 card.

Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Director-At-Large
Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group

[Bill Thomas]

[Steve Eisen] “I have been using A/B batteries for 20 years (BP90’s, ProPac, Hytron, Dionic). I recently switched to the ANJI Lithium Ion Battery. The 160W battery costs $384 and the 190W is $436. The Charger is only $236

Here is a link:
” target=”_blank”>https://www.anjibatteries.com/product.sc?categoryId=2&productId=6″

Even though I’m sure they are just as good, I’m always leary of off-brands – especially in the power department.

How long have you used the Anji batteries? Can you vouch for long-term reliability? I used to use Aspen batteries (which I think are actually defunct now!).

Thanks,
Bill

[Adam Smith]

I decided to avoid Lithium-Ion for now because of the high-draw issues and the fact that extreme heat is very bad for them… now the Dionic’s claim to be made to handle high draw without damage, but I’d check to see if any other manufacturers make that same claim. Plus they seem to be a lot slower to charge, and the only advantages seem to be weight (I could use the exercise) and cost (which is a big one).

I went with NiMH myself.

—
Video Photographer / Avid Editor / Final Cut Neophyte

[Brad Neal]

I only have experience with the Dionic 90’s and the twin charger. But I have been very happy with the results that we are getting from both.

-Brad