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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Best V-mount batteries?

Travis Wears

Travis Wears

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Was talking w/Kevin from Softpanels about battery recs and he mentioned high-capacity batteries that power a consistent 12a as being helpful when operating the Softpanels via battery (especially the 2x3). I'll be the first to admit I don't know much about v-mounts, have always used camera batts and the little Sony/Canon bricks to power my monitors.

Any recommendations for v-mount batteries? I don't know the difference between Blueshape, Switronix, IDX, etc...and there isn't much avail reviews-wise online.

Looking for a kit w/4 batts and a quick charger. Probably 150 or 190wh.

Thanks!
 
I am curious to hear what others have to say...

One big factor though for me when picking the right V-Locks was to get ones under 100wh so that they meet TSA regulations.

I did do a calculation a while back on $ per wh amount and I did find that red bricks had the cheapest cost overall per wh.
 
I absolutely love my 96Wh PAG Link v-mounts. They are definitely on the spendy side, but they are pretty tiny and light compared to most other V-mounts I've used. I can fit 6 of them across the bottom of my F-Stop Tilopa bag, which also fits in the overhead on a plane. They all have stickers on them for flight approval, not that this is necessary but I'm sure it would help if you got hassled on an international flight.

Here it is compared to a pretty standard-sized 95Wh battery:

15ub1+


15WZp+


1iD3b+



There are a lot of travel trips I take where I keep everything as lightly packed as possible and I hate hauling giant battery chargers. The PAGs have an accessory called the Micro Charger that is super small and still allows you to stack the batteries to charge. I managed to get two used from Adorama for only $99 each, so those things are always crammed in my bag. So if you combine the space saving of the batteries with the space saving of the charger... well, that's a lot of space saved. Haha.

Oh, there is one minor tradeoff for size: the batteries don't have d-tap built into them. The solution is that they make a plate called a PowerHub that has 4 d-taps and a USB port. The D-tap panels are also removable, so you could make them into Hirose or DC plugs if you need to. It's a bit inconvenient to need the PowerHub, but it's ultimately saving a ton of space on each battery. And it's a bit cleaner than hanging a d-tap splitter off of a single d-tap port on a big battery.
 
The brands I have had the best experiences with over the years are AntonBauer and BlueShape. AB used to be Gold Mount only, but they now have V-mount as well.

For lighting, you want to be sure the maximum draw is high enough for your fixtures. Some high end camera batteries can put out 45W/h for 4 hours or more, but can't put out 65W/h consistently due to design limitations and/or microprocessor initiated over voltage protection. Just because a particular battery has 200Wh or more of capacity, does NOT mean it can put out more current per hour than a smaller battery.

It's handy that we can now drive some new school fixtures on bricks, just make sure the bricks you buy can handle the draw required.

Cheers - #19
 
The BlueShape mini's that were on display at NAB looked amazing. Very small, very lightweight, and relatively affordable for how good they are.
 
Travis Wears said:
Was talking w/Kevin from Softpanels about battery recs and he mentioned high-capacity batteries that power a consistent 12a as being helpful when operating the Softpanels via battery (especially the 2x3). I'll be the first to admit I don't know much about v-mounts, have always used camera batts and the little Sony/Canon bricks to power my monitors.

Any recommendations for v-mount batteries? I don't know the difference between Blueshape, Switronix, IDX, etc...and there isn't much avail reviews-wise online.

Looking for a kit w/4 batts and a quick charger. Probably 150 or 190wh.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hi Travis, since we are both from FS7 I can say that an under 100wh battery might drive you crazy. For me. it's around 150wh or so.

I ended up getting the Bebob v150 and they are great batteries (the lightest 147wh I could find at 2 lbs), but with powering accessories like a 7Q and a lowly Nyrius Aeries Pro, I can safely get about 2 hours (without accessories a bit longer). When your used to the FS7 and getting over 3 hours from a small BPU, it's easy to forget how quickly it runs out. I've already had the camera shut off on me because I forgot to monitor the battery while lighting a shot.

97wh batteries would drive me nuts as you're probably have to switch a bit over every hour with accessories and the juice seems to run out much quicker as it reaches the end so you really have to keep an eye on it.

I thought about the PAGs as many people seem to like them, but I like my setup light weight as I do tons of handheld and jib type stuff. But the price is really steep and it's only 96wh and yes, you can stack them but then it goes from a 1.6 lbs battery to a 3.2 lbs battery, which is a bit over my limit as I love my small jib to death, but it's at the very upper limits of it's weight capacity as is.

So not sure what the best V-Mount battery is, but if you're used to the FS7, you might want something around the 150wh range.
 
Josh Becker said:
I absolutely love my 96Wh PAG Link v-mounts. They are definitely on the spendy side, but they are pretty tiny and light compared to most other V-mounts I've used. I can fit 6 of them across the bottom of my F-Stop Tilopa bag, which also fits in the overhead on a plane. They all have stickers on them for flight approval, not that this is necessary but I'm sure it would help if you got hassled on an international flight.

Here it is compared to a pretty standard-sized 95Wh battery:

15ub1+


15WZp+


1iD3b+



There are a lot of travel trips I take where I keep everything as lightly packed as possible and I hate hauling giant battery chargers. The PAGs have an accessory called the Micro Charger that is super small and still allows you to stack the batteries to charge. I managed to get two used from Adorama for only $99 each, so those things are always crammed in my bag. So if you combine the space saving of the batteries with the space saving of the charger... well, that's a lot of space saved. Haha.

Oh, there is one minor tradeoff for size: the batteries don't have d-tap built into them. The solution is that they make a plate called a PowerHub that has 4 d-taps and a USB port. The D-tap panels are also removable, so you could make them into Hirose or DC plugs if you need to. It's a bit inconvenient to need the PowerHub, but it's ultimately saving a ton of space on each battery. And it's a bit cleaner than hanging a d-tap splitter off of a single d-tap port on a big battery.
Click to expand...

+ a big one on Pag. The system is amazing. I don't look at the power hub as a tradeoff, it is very configurable and in humid or wet conditions there is no chance of water intrusion on the battery.

And, a small but big thing on each battery there is a sticker about airline approved- this has helped smooth things over at airports many times. It's like the Pope giving his blessing-well kind of.

And there is a 150, same form factor soon to be available. You can carry two 150's and unlimited 95s on board.

At NAB I saw the new BlueShape small form factor, They are very nice but Pags piggy backing, small charger, and power hub trumps (did I really use that word) them.
 
Last edited:
Gene Sung said:
Hi Travis, since we are both from FS7 I can say that an under 100wh battery might drive you crazy. For me. it's around 150wh or so.

I ended up getting the Bebob v150 and they are great batteries (the lightest 147wh I could find at 2 lbs), but with powering accessories like a 7Q and a lowly Nyrius Aeries Pro, I can safely get about 2 hours (without accessories a bit longer). When your used to the FS7 and getting over 3 hours from a small BPU, it's easy to forget how quickly it runs out. I've already had the camera shut off on me because I forgot to monitor the battery while lighting a shot.

97wh batteries would drive me nuts as you're probably have to switch a bit over every hour with accessories and the juice seems to run out much quicker as it reaches the end so you really have to keep an eye on it.

I thought about the PAGs as many people seem to like them, but I like my setup light weight as I do tons of handheld and jib type stuff. But the price is really steep and it's only 96wh and yes, you can stack them but then it goes from a 1.6 lbs battery to a 3.2 lbs battery, which is a bit over my limit as I love my small jib to death, but it's at the very upper limits of it's weight capacity as is.

So not sure what the best V-Mount battery is, but if you're used to the FS7, you might want something around the 150wh range.
Click to expand...


Gene, Seems like you should consider using a battery belt clip where you can hold the battery on the weighted end of your jib while you run the power cable up to the camera. That would be the best weight balance on a smaller travel jib. Just a thought
 
Awesome responses! Really appreciate that. Josh, you are great. Thx for the detailed reply.

Currently deciding between the PAGlinks and the Blueshapes. Blueshape has 12a constant out and two built-in Dtaps, plus their US rep has been incredibly helpful but they have no 150wh 12 equivalent and no small simultaneous charging system.

PAGlink is small and compact but is pricey, has no 150wh (yet, apparently coming soon) and has no D-tap out, making it even more expensive if I wanted to run my Westcott Flex lights off it, because I'd have to buy the plate. They do have a super small charging system and can be stacked to gain 12a out.

Pros and cons w/each. I like the Blueshape Minis a lot. Wish they were coming out before September!
 
seems like everyone is switching over to blueshape
 
If you really want to go higher than 98WH and even more I'd consider Switronix batteries... especially the Hypercore Primes, which are splittable for traveling with 95WH each and 190WH together. And the cool part is that they communicate with your RED other than "normal" V-mount systems which will only show you the voltage.

If you wanna go small - check out their Slim HC8's - haven't been able to take a look at them or try them but their specs seem to be pretty dope!

I'm using the Hypercore 98WH's right now.

I was worried if all of their batteries are gonna fit to my DSMC2 system but even the 190WH primes seem to fit.

image002.jpg
 
That new mini batteries Blueshape showed at NAB have really picked my interest, I like the fact that they will sit in line with DSMC2 body, so no interference with Top Handle V2. They also seem to be not as fat as the AB ones. Hope they release them soon.
 
Does anyone know if those Rolux batteries in the photo are worth having? They are very affordable but I was was worried about their reliability
 
Demetri Zuev said:
That new mini batteries Blueshape showed at NAB have really picked my interest, I like the fact that they will sit in line with DSMC2 body, so no interference with Top Handle V2. They also seem to be not as fat as the AB ones. Hope they release them soon.
Click to expand...

I spoke w/John at Blueshape and he said Sept 1 for the new minis.
 
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