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V mount vs. AB mount (specific questions) Help!

M

Michael Townley

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Okay, I know this has been covered in a few threads, but I have specific questions that I haven't been able to find answers to. So, I'm calling on all of you for your answers and guidance!

I just purchased my scarlet and am looking into power options. I live and work in NYC and have always been surrounded by AB 3 stud batteries as the standard. I know most people will say its a preference and opinion when dealing with these two mounts. I am just curious about a few things:

1. Those of you who own a V mount system, have you had any issues with batteries falling off or mounts wearing down/ breaking?

2. (This is a question for anyone who owns GMP batteries) How many years/cycles have they lasted you? Are you overall pleased with them?

I don't want to cheap out on powering, especially if its only over $1000. I have always trusted Anton Bauer on my shoots but would also like to experiment with what else is out there.

Any feedback would be great!

Thanks

Mike
 
Stick with AB - try the Viewfactor mounting plate for Epic/ Scarlet - works great.

At any event with other video cameras, you are almost guaranteed to find spare batteries or a charger in an equipment emergency. The other brands aren't nearly as standardized. They are not cheap, though. Also the D-Tap, Gold Mount can be carried separately to power things like small lights, external recorders, or even your cell phone or laptop with the right connector/ adapter. I can't understand why the fancy new modules don't have a D-Tap (it's fairly universal and the cables, connectors are inexpensive)....maybe it required a licensing fee to build it into the modules?
 
I have been running V Mount batteries for years now and have never ever had an issue. They do not pop off or pins wear down.

Your choice should be decided by what other gear you own and what batteries will work for that as well as your camera. I have other cameras, monitors and lights that also run off my V mounts.
 
Since I already had the AB gold mount system, I am sticking with it, but hedging my bets with a gold mount to Vmount adapter if I need another spare and only have v mounts available.
 
Hi Michael, The AB Dionic 90 is smaller then a V-mount battery. If you plan to do a lot of handheld stuff (like a DSLR), this or Red Volts is the way to go. AB Batteries tend to be more expensive (especially if you buy the brand name).

V-mount batteries can be found cheaper (I have a few for my lights and used to own ones for my Scarlet that I bought from China via ebay...The Beillen brand -aka GlobalMedia Pro knockoffs). They are also longer lasting (AB Dionics are 90wh while Beillen are 150wh). That's like saying 90minutes versus 150minutes of power.

Bottom line in my opinion:
AB PROs:
- smaller
- lighter
- Great for DSLR style handheld

AB CONs:
- More expensive
- Holds less of a charge (there are other models that hold more but they get bigger, heavier, and fatter too).

V-Mount PROs:
- Longer Charge
- Cheaper price
- Fine for Shoulder mount or tripod systems but not for DSLR style handheld. Probably better if you plan to use rigs often like jibs and cranes.
- More compatible with battery powered lights

V-Mount CONs:
- Heavier
- Bigger and bulkier

That's my opinion. Both style of batteries are great but it depends on how you shoot.
Hope this helps.

Wil
 
If I could do it all over again, I'd go AB mount. I've had V mounts pop off as well as have dodgy connections. AB is just a more rugged connection. Also, if you use a rod mounted plate you can flip it without worrying about batteries falling out. Try that with a V mount. I wish Red offered both.
 
Michael Townley said:
...I just purchased my scarlet and am looking into power options. I live and work in NYC and have always been surrounded by AB 3 stud batteries as the standard. I know most people will say its a preference and opinion when dealing with these two mounts. I am just curious about a few things:

1. Those of you who own a V mount system, have you had any issues with batteries falling off or mounts wearing down/ breaking?

2. (This is a question for anyone who owns GMP batteries) How many years/cycles have they lasted you? Are you overall pleased with them?

...
Click to expand...

Choice of battery mount depends on several factors

a) What you have already
b) What your local markets/your other accessories use mostly (useful for emergency availability of batteries)
c) Style of shooting - low movement, controlled shooting environments are less stressful on kit
d) Need for stacking batteries or other mount specific battery specifications

Apart from that, not all V-Mounts are built equally well.

IDX V-Mounts are pretty solid and reliable, and the V-Mount itself is metal.

Red's V-Mounts are plastic and due to flex/low spring strength the catch can release if batteries are knocked from below. A low tech fix, is to put a clothes peg over the catch which prevents accidental catch release.
Also the electrical pin banana contacts are not brilliant - they tend to lose their spring and make bad contact which can induce local heating/melting/bad contact. They can be fixed by careful re-splaying of the banana contacts with a tiny instrument screwdriver or pin.

Overall, AB mounts are more secure and reliable, but the other factors are also important. My V-mounts have been fine.
 
All I can add to this tread is; 8 V-mount, pin wear-mount issues this past year, over 10 last year.... Not one Anton Bauer mount issue in over 5 years!

Also a lot of pin wear/contact issues with several V-Mount manufacturers batteries, IDX was not one of them.

Regards John Ritter
www.ritterbattery.com
 
Pag UK Ltd also makes completely solid battery and mounts. They have their own proprietary mount design, but also do great V-Locks versions.
 
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