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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 :)

DSMC2 battery module options

Demetri Zuev

Demetri Zuev

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I'm trying to decide which battery module to invest in for my future DSMC2 cameras. Here are the options I can see so far:

- Element Techinca V-mount battery module

Pros - Build quality, Cons - don't like the toxic green detail color, heard about some firmware glitches, lemo power outs are less common with accessories, price is on a more expensive side

- RED DSMC2 V-Lock Battery Module

Pros - Build quality, nice design, good price, Cons - only one D-tap out

- Wooden Camera cable-less v-mount

Pros - price, cons - IDX plate build quality is so so, plate is not in line with the body

- Wooden Camera cable-less v-mount Blueshape

Pros - 3 D-taps and USB out, build quality seems to be better than IDX plate, Cons - plate is not in line with the body

Did I miss any of the available options?

Please share your personal experiences using any of these modules, guys.

P.S.: I don't worry about battery height problem since I'm going to use new Blueshape Granite mini V-mounts that are in line with the body.
 
Any opinions, guys?
 
Demetri Zuev said:
Any opinions, guys?
Click to expand...

Been using the ET V-Lock plate since day one on my Weapon. The only firmware issues mainly came in the form of certain batteries. The RED, Dynacore, Anton Bauer, and GMP bricks I have here all worked fine. I went ET first because there wasn't much out there. Now, because it's got the Lemo ports and D-Tap I'm happy.

The one thing that WC has is those quick release knobs though. I like those.

I've only fondled the RED V-Lock plate. It's very nice, the price difference between the ET and RED version is mainly due to the Lemo connectors.
 
I have the ET plate on my base expander on one camera and the Base I/O v lock on the other (I managed to sell my original Base I/O expander) I like them both. The the weight is pretty similar with both set ups, in both cases another p-tap would be nice, but the Lemo ports are pretty handy if you have the proper cables for your particular accessories.
 
Demetri, not sure where you are located, but CineGear is next month at Paramount Studios. Everything you mentioned above should be on hand if you want to see in person. Based on your list, it does sound like you are specifically interested in V-Lock batteries vs. A/B and Redvolt XL.

For myself, I mostly use the Redvolt XL. I do plan to get an A/B battery plate, just not sure which one yet.
 
Phil Holland said:
Been using the ET V-Lock plate since day one on my Weapon. The only firmware issues mainly came in the form of certain batteries. The RED, Dynacore, Anton Bauer, and GMP bricks I have here all worked fine. I went ET first because there wasn't much out there. Now, because it's got the Lemo ports and D-Tap I'm happy.

The one thing that WC has is those quick release knobs though. I like those.

I've only fondled the RED V-Lock plate. It's very nice, the price difference between the ET and RED version is mainly due to the Lemo connectors.
Click to expand...

I didn't know that ET has a P-tap too, this just made it jump to number 1 on my list
 
Just got et plate, is so solid, really well built
 
Two question for you. First, what do you mean the IDX plate is so-so build quality? Have you actually used an IDX plate before? They are a fantastic plate. I have been using the same IDX plate since 2011 and it still works flawlessly. Second, what do you mean by "plate is not in line with the body"? Are you saying that the battery sits too high? If so, you must be unaware that the plates can be set to high or low mode. With high mode the battery sticks up, but with low mode the top of the battery (depending on the battery) just barely sticks over the top of the camera. The WC plate in low mode certainly doesn't sit the battery any higher than the ET plate or the RED plate and I believe it actually sits the battery lower.
 
Got the Red Vlock module. works as a charm with my little customized handle and as I understand also with the WD handle and the Red raven handle. I have no problem with the battery sticking up in the back. Makes a nice closure to the handle. And makes the camera more easy to shoulder mount and well balanced.

Why you want batteries half The hight of the one on this picture beats me. It's not like that space is use fore much other things, or?
 

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Bob Gundu said:
WC version won't be ready for another 4 weeks in case you need one sooner.
Click to expand...

4 weeks now? At the beginning of April it was 2-3 weeks. Then last week someone said 2 more weeks. Now you are saying 4 weeks? Ouch. I have an email into someone I know at woodencamera but wondering if he kinda doesn't want to reply if it really is another 4 weeks.
 
Matthew J said:
4 weeks now? At the beginning of April it was 2-3 weeks. Then last week someone said 2 more weeks. Now you are saying 4 weeks? Ouch. I have an email into someone I know at woodencamera but wondering if he kinda doesn't want to reply if it really is another 4 weeks.
Click to expand...

Yeah they need some more time to iron out the kinks. They may offer the mount with a dtap cable for now and then users can update themselves when available.
 
Matthew J said:
Two question for you. First, what do you mean the IDX plate is so-so build quality? Have you actually used an IDX plate before? They are a fantastic plate. I have been using the same IDX plate since 2011 and it still works flawlessly. Second, what do you mean by "plate is not in line with the body"? Are you saying that the battery sits too high? If so, you must be unaware that the plates can be set to high or low mode. With high mode the battery sticks up, but with low mode the top of the battery (depending on the battery) just barely sticks over the top of the camera. The WC plate in low mode certainly doesn't sit the battery any higher than the ET plate or the RED plate and I believe it actually sits the battery lower.
Click to expand...

I had an IDX V-mount plate back in the days of my Scarlet-MX and wasn't satisfied with the quality, the plate is plastic, the lock wasn't secure enough (got my v-mount fall off a couple of times), I then switched to RED's quickplate and it was night and day, RED's was so much more solid.

When I'm saying that the plate is not in line with the body I mean that it's sticks above the top of the camera. I'm well aware about low mode configs, but I don't like the fact that hot air will be blowing on the plate coming outside of the camera. This is why I prefer RED and ET solutions more.
 
Demetri Zuev said:
I had an IDX V-mount plate back in the days of my Scarlet-MX and wasn't satisfied with the quality, the plate is plastic, the lock wasn't secure enough (got my v-mount fall off a couple of times), I then switched to RED's quickplate and it was night and day, RED's was so much more solid.
Click to expand...

You must have had a bad plate because I've never had those issues with any of my idx plates I've owned in the last 10 years.

When I'm saying that the plate is not in line with the body I mean that it's sticks above the top of the camera. I'm well aware about low mode configs, but I don't like the fact that hot air will be blowing on the plate coming outside of the camera. This is why I prefer RED and ET solutions more.
Click to expand...

You realize that the RED and ET plates are like the WC plate in high mode, right? You listed that as a con for the WC plate, but not for those two plates. Also, the hot air won't be blowing out on the plate, but actually the 1/2" thick quick back. I would not worry about that at all.
 
I have been using my switronix jetpack, same one i use for my Epic. I have it mounted on 19mm rails. works really great. I will stay with this until more options come out. I like the look of the new red V-lock mod.. but the set up im using works awesome

http://www.red.com/store/products/dsmc2-vlock-battery-module (edit this mod)
 
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