Battery Dilemma, Opinions Please: 82wh vs 147wh, Size vs. WH

[Gene Sung]

So I’m getting some new V-Mounts for my Scarlet-W and I’m torn between size vs. watt hours. I’m going to be powering a 7Q and a wireless transmitter off the battery regularly. Sometimes a wireless FF. This will be for general use, NOT gimbal specific.

My two choices both affordable: Swit = $260 and Bebob = $350
———
Switronix Hypercore Slim @ 82wh

Pros
• Small at 150x97x38mm @ 1.4 lbs (640 grams)
• Reads Red battery levels natively
• B&H, USA shipping

Cons
• Only 82wh
——————
Bebop V150 @ 147wh

Pros
• 147 wh = lot more watt hours.
• Only about 0.4 lbs heavier (825 grams total weight) for the extra WH

Cons
• Considerably bigger in physical dimensions: 144x94x58mm
• Weights 0.4 lbs or 185 grams more, but a lot more watt hours for not much weight.
• Not Red native
• Ships from Europe.
—————
My questions to you guys are:

1) Is 82h too little for general use? I use a Glidecam so i don’t have to worry about Gimbal use, but I do like my cameras light as I handhold a lot.

2) Size vs. Watt Hours, what do you think is more important? Remember, Gimbal is NOT a factor. Regularly, I will be powering a 7Q, a wireless transmitter and possibly a Wireless Follow Focus

3) Is reading Red battery levels natively that big of a deal vs. seeing only the wattage?

4) What is the reputation of Switronix? Do their batteries last? Bebob seems to be well regarded.

5) Which battery would you choose for general use?

Thanks for any advice

 

[Bob Gundu]

An 82W battery with accessories attached are going to kill you. Go for the 150w.

 

[Dan Kanes]

If you can afford four batteries, I would get two of these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1212732-REG/switronix_hc7s_hc_7s_hypercore_slim_14_8v.html

and two of these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...x_XP_L90S_XPL_90S_V_Type_14_4VDC_Lithium.html

then you have something ultra light and something stronger.

The switronix are pretty good - also check out the new Anton Bauer v mounts - they got cheaper by a lot.

If you don't have a bunch of batteries already, I would go Gold mount. Suuch a better mount. Easy to accidentally pop the v mount off the camera by accident

 

[Dan Kanes]

Also - dirt cheap if you need large capacity that can travel:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0182...507&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=kayo+maxtar

so maybe two of these and two 82wh switronix.

My gold mount batteries don't communicate with the body , so I read voltages and usually change them out at 12.9v

 

[Adrian Weinbrecht]

Hi Gene

May I suggest you simple buy Pag ? I think they're 96wh each so fine to fly with, but the cool thing is you can join them together to double, triple and quadruple the capacity. You can even hot swap them, they're super smart. After trying a number of different types of V lock this is what we settled on.

 

[Josh Becker]

I've got 6 PAGs, love them. Small, light, stackable. Plus, their Micro Charger is incredible for traveling with. I've got two, I stack three batteries on each for charging overnight.

 

[Gene Sung]

Hi Gene

May I suggest you simple buy Pag ? I think they're 96wh each so fine to fly with, but the cool thing is you can join them together to double, triple and quadruple the capacity. You can even hot swap them, they're super smart. After trying a number of different types of V lock this is what we settled on.

Hi friends,

Thanks for all the great advise. I would love Pag's, but they are way out of my budget.

I'm thinking 2 or 3 Bebobs and maybe 1 or 2 Switronix slims when needed.

 

[Dan Kanes]

True story - PAG are super cool.

 

[Matthew J]

Also - dirt cheap if you need large capacity that can travel:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0182...507&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=kayo+maxtar

I've got two of the 177WH and really love them. Not sure how long the cells will last, but the battery has a nice case, a USB out (which is great), and D-TAP. For $230, you really can't beat them currently.

BTW, I've also taken them through TSA multiple times and they don't even open my bag. I am TSa Pre Check, so that may help, but honestly TSA doesn't seem to care as long as batteries aren't in checked luggage and they aren't in a hoverboard.

 

[Ulf Krentz]

We use Bebob V Mounts. Very friendly and responsive people over there, great products. Of course easier here as they are local for us

 

[Patrick Tresch]

The Weapon cf and 1 LCD eats about 60w.

 

[BrandonChristensen]

Also - dirt cheap if you need large capacity that can travel:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0182...507&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=kayo+maxtar

so maybe two of these and two 82wh switronix.

My gold mount batteries don't communicate with the body , so I read voltages and usually change them out at 12.9v

Damn I use the COMER batteries. Same design. Same price for less wH. I am going to order some of these if it turns out they fit on the V-Lock expander. Still don't know if it will fit with the HDMI being where it is.

 

[Nathan DuMoulin]

Damn I use the COMER batteries. Same design. Same price for less wH. I am going to order some of these if it turns out they fit on the V-Lock expander. Still don't know if it will fit with the HDMI being where it is.

I've been eyeing these up all day. At 98mm wide, they should fit the expander, albeit barely. Note Brent's quoted posted below about the 100.6mm max with the 9.7mm radius. Based on the pic I attached below, it should clear.

One review even mentions that these units have the chip that shows the remaining percentage on the guys Epic.

The maximum width can be 100.6mm as long as the bottom edges have AT LEAST a 9.70mm radius. Any larger width or smaller radius will not engage properly as it will bump against the I/O portion of the module.

 

[Wil Wong]

Pag also has these slim batteries coming soon. I don't know if they fit with the DSMC2 setup but they are new and in line with the competition of Switronix and IDX slim batteries...

https://www.paguk.com/landing/pag-l90-slim

If you can, I recommend getting different wh of the same brand of batteries. That way you have longer ones for regular tripod shoots, and low capacity ones for gimbals, shoulder and handheld shots. This way it's one charger for both types.

Otherwise, having smaller wh capacity batteries make more sense for me (as long as you can buy a few more). Keep in mind that unless your shooting documentaries or shots that are live (like concerts/theatre, or wildlife or nature), you may not need long takes and can swap out batteries often (as in narrative films or tv). That's why more smaller might be better. You can be flexible that way. Big wh is great for tripod shoots. Less to carry around. Depends on your needs I guess.