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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 :)

REDVOLT + REDVOLT travel charger

Just when I thought I didnt need to buy anymore batteries!!!!! Now there are big RED VOLTS and little RED VOLTS, two different chargers? .. as well as our existing RED batteries and RED chargers... 3 different batteries, 3 different chargers.. ??? this is getting silly now.

Uniformity would be nice.. One battery size, one charger... done.
Less shit to lug around the planet. I'm trying to shed the amount of boxes we currently travel with.. but it looks like were going to be adding more to the flight list. The camera may have got smaller, but its going to grow in length again, once we power it with extra modules & batteries meaning extra weight. Small and particle just got long an heavy again.

I think V locks in a bum bag will do me. Any V lock battery and charger found anywhere in the world... simple. easy.. done.

But!!! That said, having little batteries in that grip is very cool and very useful, I just wish we had one charger that would do V locks, RED VOLT XL's and RED VOLT minis.. all at the same time...

I'm just going to have to live with boxes of different chargers and batteries by the looks of it. bummer.

I'm a big fan of the KISS method. (KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID)
 
Mark Toia said:
I'm a big fan of the KISS method. (KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID)
Click to expand...
Personally, I think that's exactly what they've done... they've moved to a new battery system that is smaller, lighter, doesn't come with flight restrictions, and is hot swappable in the field. The old RED bricks were designed for use with the RED ONE; these new batteries are designed for Epic and Scarlet. I honestly don't think many people are going to be bolting red bricks to their cameras once the production of their new line starts ramping up. It's a stop gap for the time being, as well as a nice convenience for those who wish to use what they've already got; RED made the old generation compatible with the new (unlike almost every other manufacturer on the planet). And you certainly have that option. Personally, I find the RED bricks bulky and they add a lot more mess to the minimal simplicity of Epic... but hey, at least the option is there. There's no reason to be carrying around three different types of RED batteries with you, though.

Also, the only difference between the big and little RED Volts is that with the battery module, you won't have to swap out as often with the XL batteries. The little guys only run for 30 minutes, so having double that in one pack is awfully nice. If you just prefer the small size to use with the battery grip, great. They work in the battery module too if you ever need that functionality. I don't see how it's really all that silly; in fact I really appreciate the fact that if you want, you can strip Epic down to just the brain, the handle, one small battery, and the lens, and have a complete 5k powerhouse camera that fits into a dSLR bag. You wouldn't get that if they just stuck with the old chunky battery.
 
Mark Toia said:
[...]
I'm a big fan of the KISS method. (KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID)
Click to expand...

KISS encourages minimal complexity, not the absence of it. This is about as minimal as it gets. RED Bricks could be considered EOL and therefore not relevant. RED Volt and and RED Volt XL - what's so complex? One small. One big. Two different chargers. Simple! Besides, if you get the Quad Charger you can charge the REDVOLT XL or the REDVOLT in the same charger, so you can have even less complexity too ;-)
 
I feel that the Red Bricks are still 100% useable in a studio situation. I look forward to getting my hands on the Redvolt's for handheld and steadicam situations but will continue to use Red Bricks for their super long runtime (longer than with Red One) with the Epic in a studio configuration.
 
Mark Toia said:
Uniformity would be nice.. One battery size, one charger... done.
Less shit to lug around the planet. I'm trying to shed the amount of boxes we currently travel with.. but it looks like were going to be adding more to the flight list. The camera may have got smaller, but its going to grow in length again, once we power it with extra modules & batteries meaning extra weight. Small and particle just got long an heavy again.

I think V locks in a bum bag will do me. Any V lock battery and charger found anywhere in the world... simple. easy.. done.
Click to expand...

You have the option to choose and keep it as simple as you want. Simplicity by choice...

Also, redvolts are very easy to fly and travel with. I've done multiple trips with a carryon pelican with:
Brain
Side Handle
REDmote
EVF
LCD
LCD Handle
17-50
2x REDvolt travel chargers
4x REDvolts
Elpac
SSDs
grip + dogbones
tool/flashlight
REDstation


Can't do that with V-locks and Vlock charger.
 
Last edited:
Justin Kirchhoff said:
This is great, not just for EPIC-M owners, but for EPIC-X owners as well...
Click to expand...

Epic X owners? Sorry, couldn't resist. I think I have now waited longer for Epic than for my R1 (measured from day of deposit). Patience comes and goes like the weather, but seeing all those happy M owners is starting to move from admiration to envy.

Last word I noticed was July, so I'm hoping for August. Any word?
 
I'm not sure if you guys shoot throughout the world as much as I do... But hear me out please...

Firstly, this is not an argument. Great camera, great solutions... I'm happy. Done.

Little batteries is my answer to everything!!! honestly... Great idea love them. will be getting as many as I can.... but being as rare as chicken teeth & unicorn horns. I'm sure you get my drift.

But only if we have 16 of them for the day... because after use. the battery ware and tear over the year, 30min charge, becomes 20mins, becomes 10 mins.. etc..... same old battery issues for years. weather they are made by bayer, CANON or RED.. this shit just happens to batteries.

Same thing goes with V locks.. Does not matter what brand and how good you look after them... they just slowly die over time. Some of my RED batteries now only last 45mins.. It's just life of a battery.

So for a day of work... with no power around to charge them up, you will need 16 (NEW) mini red volts to shoot an 8 hour day on the run. They wont let you carry 16 on a plane.. you may get away with 4.. 16.. tough... We had 8 Canon batteries and got hammered by airport authorities a day gone past. They are being complete nazi's on that front and getting worse!

Ok so you go to the bigger RED VOLT battery. This battery does not fit into the grip.. (BUMMER)!!! only the rear module. And you get 1 hour from the batteries.. 4 if you have four in it. correct. (did someone say double performance over the small RED VOLT) ok, then we need at least 8 of those...
Flight carry on issues again.. Also to use the REDVOLT XL's you have to purchase the rear battery module $$$ the four bay charger $$$, and the more XL REDVOLTS of a different size... While you already have about a dozen VLOCKS (that will power your on set monitors as well) lying around feeling useless... or do you take them with you as well.... ? you are now in a quandary....

Question you will ask yourself, (as we are)... do we put a module on $$$, and 4 to 8 different batteries $$$ and a special charger for those $$ and end up with a longer heavier camera again.. or just use a V lock battery clipped to your belt. camera stays small (perfect), 2 hour charge on your belt or bum bag.

If you go with option 1.. Module and 4 larger XL red volt batteries .You now have a larger camera on your hands and the carry on (flying) side of the argument has now died. You have now built your EPIC with module and 4 to 8 heavier batteries and are now carrying the weight of a REDONE or ALEXA body again.

Were ever you travel in the world there are V locks in rental house or forsale. 2 to 3 hours charge (depending on the amp hr versions you rent or buy)
4 batteries will do. one charger. click them onto you belt one at a time and shoot with the EPIC in small mode.

What I'm trying to say is this. the MINI REDVOLTS are my choice of power... I WILL BE BUYING SHIT LOADS OF THEM!!!!! when RED are ready to sell them in mass.
Because Im trying to go from HUGE Panovision, Arri 435. REDONE life... to a small hand held life.

I'm not whinging at all, as RED have answered all my prays with a small, high powered camera with a small battery. I couldn't be any happier.

It's up to me to decide what the best power option for this camera will be, to keep things simple. At least we have choice, (thanks RED)

Anyway....

So far a V lock and a couple of batteries in bum bag is the go for now... simple. (pick them up when I land) done.. camera stays light and small, no stress..

Soon I'll convert to 8 to 16 small redvolt batteries in a bum bag.... (if the airlines will let me fly with that many) but I will be making sure a VLOCK battery cable / holder... is packed away in my luggage.

Because I don't want to make my camera grow any bigger, I love it just the size it is... The module option I don't think I will take up at all. I'm running away from big, long and expensive, with different batteries etc..
RED EPIC size & performance specs sold me. I plan on keeping it exactly to that idea. :)


Deanan said:
You have the option to choose and keep it as simple as you want. Simplicity by choice...

Also, redvolts are very easy to fly and travel with. I've done multiple trips with a carryon pelican with:
Brian
Side Handle
REDmote
EVF
LCD
LCD Handle
17-50
2x REDvolt travel chargers
4x REDvolts
Elpac
SSDs
grip + dogbones
tool/flashlight


Can't do that with V-locks and Vlock charger.
Click to expand...
 
James Brundige said:
Epic X owners? Sorry, couldn't resist. I think I have now waited longer for Epic than for my R1 (measured from day of deposit). Patience comes and goes like the weather, but seeing all those happy M owners is starting to move from admiration to envy.

Last word I noticed was July, so I'm hoping for August. Any word?
Click to expand...

Sorry James.. I know how you feel. (well I did) ...
But yes.. Sorry dude. hope it comes soon.
 
Deanan said:
You have the option to choose and keep it as simple as you want. Simplicity by choice...

Also, redvolts are very easy to fly and travel with. I've done multiple trips with a carryon pelican with:
Brian
Side Handle
REDmote
EVF
LCD
LCD Handle
17-50
2x REDvolt travel chargers
4x REDvolts
Elpac
SSDs
grip + dogbones
tool/flashlight


Can't do that with V-locks and Vlock charger.
Click to expand...

I think you made a little typo there :)
 
I was wondering why Deanan showed up one day with an axe and a pelican case and Brain suddenly disappeared... that explains it :)
 
I think RED did the exact right thing here. Kept compatibility with the V-Lock system, but moved in a better direction for the future.

I have to say, I think the RED BRICKS, IDX, Swit, Bebob, AB, etc. will still be used quite a bit in studio configs. At least until the Battery Module comes out. I love the side handle, but it can sometimes get in the way in certain configs... (certain accessories or 3D configs, for example).

There is always the option for Block Batteries as well, but V-Locks on the EPIC still can play a role as a counter balance. Battery Module will help here as well...

That being said, I can't wait for our REDVolts and Chargers! And thanks for all of the forthcoming options and developments.
 
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