Side Handle Issue - Battery not locking in properly

[Ivan Kovax]

Hey Friends,

I just recently got my side handle (despite having had my Epic for a while... late bloomer... heh) and I have ONE issue with it... perhaps somebody who has suffered a similar problem can help me out.

The redvolts simply do not want to properly lock in place. That little red plastic bit that holds the battery in wont lock down properly. I have tried teasing that red lock the other way to bend the metal and give it more tension, but am hesitant to regularly do this and risk damaging it.

Has anybody suffered a similar problem, and what was the solution? Of course I have emailed RED about this, but am wondering what you guys on the ground have gotten up to in regards to this.

Cheers from 日本!

Ivan

[Mike Poore]

Ive experienced a similar problem, I can eventually get them locked in but its not easy. I have used other side handles that have worked quick and easy. I don't currently have a solution, hoping it just needs to be broken in with use.

[Uli Plank]

I think you should turn to RED, this problem is not unknown to them.

[Kevin Wild]

It is very common, but very frustrating, too. To send the camera back just for this is not easy. We have struggled with the batteries not locking in since we got the Epic. At least now we have the battery module. Those work perfectly.

Kevin

[Justin McAleece]

I have the same problem. The plastic mechanism is just weak and unfortunately seems poorly designed. I saw another red user put a piece of foam or something up there to increase the tension above the tab so that it would help push a little. I did the same and it seems to work. Hopefully they update it at some point.

[Peter Keith]

This just became an issue for me today! Very annoying and sadly needs a bit more thought on design. I will have to resort to DIY to make it stick but not what you'd expect to have to do : (

[Shane Kelly]

I put a piece of foam in there, works fine now. But yes, crappy design.

[Paul Schneider]

Yep. For what it costs it should work better, perfectly in fact. It feels wrong, like you're breaking something when you keep trying to push it in and get it to lock. I'd expect better given the time for design and backlog in production.

[Gregory Karydis]

I had almost the same issue at first, side handle and 4 redvolts...
Only one of the batteries would lock in place.
The other three had to be tricked to stay in there.
But I think I found out how to make them stay.
Tried it a dozen times on each redvolt and it never fails (on my side handle)
Once you place the redvolt inside the side handle, before locking it into place, give it a push on the top side (where the "R" is at) and that somehow gets the battery locked in place.
Hasn't failed me since!
Though I'd like a sturdier design, maybe a locking mechanism, something to slide and wedge where others put the foam?

[Jeff Whitehurst]

I had almost the same issue at first, side handle and 4 redvolts...
Only one of the batteries would lock in place.
The other three had to be tricked to stay in there.
But I think I found out how to make them stay.
Tried it a dozen times on each redvolt and it never fails (on my side handle)
Once you place the redvolt inside the side handle, before locking it into place, give it a push on the top side (where the "R" is at) and that somehow gets the battery locked in place.
Hasn't failed me since!
Though I'd like a sturdier design, maybe a locking mechanism, something to slide and wedge where others put the foam?

Hope that technique works for others, but I just tried it a dozen times and it didn't hold once. The workaround I am using is to reach around the left side of the brain under the lens and push the battery on the lower left corner. Lets the door shut without my finger getting in the way.
Has anyone ever posted that RED fixed their sidehandle?