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[resolved] Very disappointed with Cinema Oxide V-mount battery plate

J

James Fleming

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James' edit (3 April 2012): below is a my initial post expressing disappointment with the original Cinema Oxide V-mount battery plate for Scarlet/ Epic. This problem appears to have been resolved admirably. Within days, Cinema Oxide switched supplier to IDX and affirmed their commitment to quality products (the original plate was based on the Switronix housing which is made of flimsy-looking plastic and contains exposed hot-glued wires). That's got to be a record in customer-responsive product development. Hats off to Cinema Oxide. They are also offering free IDX-based plate replacements to all those who ordered the Switronix-based plate. I haven't tested the new plate but I'll order one and post a review. The IDX based plate is now on sale for the same price. I.e., around the same price as the Switronix-based plates, which apart from the View Factor /Brooks plate, are the only alternatives . In my view, the Switronix plates should be avoided. The Brooks plate is superb but significantly more expensive and it doesn't show battery power percentage, only voltage. Some people won't mind this but I do. This new plate from Cinema Oxide may indeed now be the best value plate available on the market but I'll wait until I've received mine before confirming. J.

So the Switronix and Cinema Oxide battery plates for Scarlet and Epic have started to come off back order. I've been waiting a while so you can imagine my initial excitement today when I received my Cinema Oxide battery plate in the mail. That excitement quickly faded when I pulled out this suspect object from the package...

I had received the Cinema Oxide brick back plate that the battery plate mounts to already and was impressed with it's quality (sturdy aluminium construction, even if a bit disappointing in that it doesn't cover the camera's contacts - minor detail). I can only describe the build quality of the Cinema Oxide battery plate as 'appalling'. Although, the word 'shocking' also comes to mind. It's made of the cheapest, most fragile, toy plastic. The back of the plate isn't even covered! And inside there are exposed wires afixed with hot glue! When I went to mount the plate on the camera I realised the plate isn't even flat. It is slightly convex so it flexes when tightened to the camera. THIS is the thing powering my $15K camera?! Very disappointing Cinema Oxide. Your other stuff is great but this plate shouldn't even be on sale. Here are some photos that speak for themselves.

I had the pleasure of using the Viewfactor plate previously. It's great but more expensive. I'd have to say, at 50% more expensive, it's ten times the quality. The switronix plate is the same price as the Cinema Oxide plate but it looks to be plastic too. Is it any better? Should I ask for a refund?

Moderator's update: The issue has been resolved; see http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?75997-resolved-Very-disappointed-with-Cinema-Oxide-V-mount-battery-plate&p=975555&viewfull=1#post975555 .
 

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Oh wow...

I got the MG1Concepts plate and am really pleased with its build quality. Sits flush, too.

The Cinema Oxide back plate has the dogbone shape which doesn't sit flush against the Scarlet, and that was a big reason why I didn't want it. VF, WC and MG1 are the way to go IMO.
 
I like Switronix and waiting for GP-SEPIC10 with wooden Camera Quick Back + QB Battery Back
 
James Fleming said:
So the Switronix and Cinema Oxide battery plates for Scarlet and Epic have started to come off back order. I've been waiting a while so you can imagine my initial excitement today when I received my Cinema Oxide battery plate in the mail. That excitement quickly faded when I pulled out this suspect object from the package...

I had received the Cinema Oxide brick back plate that the battery plate mounts to already and was impressed with it's quality (sturdy aluminium construction, even if a bit disappointing in that it doesn't cover the camera's contacts - minor detail). I can only describe the build quality of the Cinema Oxide battery plate as 'appalling'. Although, the word 'shocking' also comes to mind. It's made of the cheapest, most fragile, toy plastic. The back of the plate isn't even covered! And inside there are exposed wires afixed with hot glue! When I went to mount the plate on the camera I realised the plate isn't even flat. It is slightly convex so it flexes when tightened to the camera. THIS is the thing powering my $15K camera?! Very disappointing Cinema Oxide. Your other stuff is great but this plate shouldn't even be on sale. Here are some photos that speak for themselves.

I had the pleasure of using the Viewfactor plate previously. It's great but more expensive. I'd have to say, at 50% more expensive, it's ten times the quality. The switronix plate is the same price as the Cinema Oxide plate but it looks to be plastic too. Is it any better? Should I ask for a refund?
Click to expand...

None of my business really - except for the fact that you blasted them here - but wouldn't it have been more productive to take this up with Jason directly; rather than make it a public thing right off? :huh:
 
The thing to do here would have been to check with Jason first to make sure you did not get a defective part. Before trashing him in public like this. Wow, extremely uncool to do this to anyone.

Jay
 
I'm not talking about a mistake here or a change of mind or a question of incompatability. I'm talking about really shoddy workmanship. This plate just doesn't belong in the Cinema Oxide line-up. There's no comparison in terms of quality with their other stuff. Have a look at the photos. This is a toy. What's there to ask Jason about except to ask for a refund and quickly warn others not to get it?
 
I don't think it's a dodgy part that escaped quality control. They didn't accidentally make one out of $2 plastic. It works. It just sux. Look for yourself. I'm sorry if I've offended anyone. I'm just stating the facts. Better for others to be warned than sorry. As I said before, other Cinema Oxide stuff I've bought has been good build quality. This isn't and it doesn't belong in their canon of products. If I got this from eBay I'd be mad. From Cinema Oxide, I'm just stunned.
 
James Fleming said:
I'm not talking about a mistake here or a change of mind or a question of incompatability. I'm talking about really shoddy workmanship. This plate just doesn't belong in the Cinema Oxide line-up. There's no comparison in terms of quality with their other stuff. Have a look at the photos. This is a toy. What's there to ask Jason about except to ask for a refund and quickly warn others not to get it?
Click to expand...

I cannot comment on this without checking with the vendor first, which is what I think would have been a good call for you. We need the smaller companies, they do a lot of stuff the larger ones won't. Whe you flame them on a forum like this, without giving them the chance to make it right for you in private, you do far more damage than just one product.

If you made an error in a production, would you want the client to flame your work online, or come to you first to see if there was some was to fix the problem?

Just sayin
 
My plate is even worse than yours...doesn't even have a plastic back covering the wires (or any badge what so over)! I noticed how poor quality it was too, but was so OVER waiting for anything to get my Scarlet running, that I just accepted it. James is right...compared to any other CO product, they seem cheap and nasty. I'm not for public bashings, but hey, just backing up a Scarlet brother here, as I'd be glad if I was notified on here before I invested.
 
I have no doubt Jason will be responding. For the record I work with a lot of these guys, element technica, wooden camera, cinema oxide,ARRI, and the list goes on, they are all people doing the best they can. Mistakes can be made. It human, that you need to know now is intent.

Jason cares about his work, as you said all his other stuff is first rate. let's see what he says
Jay
 
Hi James, I'm sorry to hear that you were disappointed with our product. We would gladly try to make your transaction a positive one, either by sending you a replacement or offering a full refund. But I'm always happy to hear feedback.

As far as the points regarding our plate:

1) The Brick Back plate was designed NOT to cover the pins in the rear of the camera so as to reduce weight. If you would like the tightest seal on the market for those pins, we offer a product that solves that -- http://www.cinemaoxide.com/epic-battery-plate-and-pin-guard.php

If you are still disappointed with the Brick Back plate I will be happy to exchange it for the O-ring version so that you can protect the gold pins.

2) The "toy plastic" that you speak of is actually an industry standard battery plate. We don't manufacture our own plastic (although I'm flattered that you think we do). In fact, we purchase the plastic battery plates from Switronix and do the wiring in house. Its basically the same plate that Switronix is selling, and hence why the price is almost the same. So I can speak to Switronix about making it a more robust plastic, but please understand that this plastic housing has already been field-tested by 1000's of operators working in the industry and has been proven to be very reliable, despite what it may look like. I was asked by Switronix to cover their logo, and so we placed our company name over it. But to be clear, its a great Switronix plate that we use to make the battery plates. We've also considered using IDX, and someday we might switch to IDX, but it won't be for the plastic since the quality is almost matched in my opinion.

3) The "exposed wires" are insulated wires that have been soldered in place AND hot glued. The glue is extra security that they will stay in place, in case the solder fails. Generally an expert would agree that this is a great feature to have and prevents short circuiting of the battery. But if you were offended by the use of hot glue, then I can make a special plate for you that will not have any glue at all.

I am here to assist you if there is anything else I can do. I can be contacted at jason@CinemaOxide.com, and my phone number is published on the website as well. Thanks James, and I hope that we can further assist you.
 
I think it's absolutely fair that he posted what he has. There is little point of 'reviewing' if it is solely given audience by the manufacture and no-one else. It is most definitely within our position as buyers to give fair appraisal however damning or positive. I have some other Cinema Oxide gear and it's great but that it is not to say by any means that all of their gear is necessarily up to an equal standard (although I have not used the battery plate myself). I must affirm that what I'm saying is not specific to Cinema Oxide but all manufacturers generally.

Further, the fact that Jason is always so quick to respond is what really speaks volumes here - I would much rather (100% of the time actually) buy off a vendor who actively engages with complaints rather than ignores them and for that Cinema Oxide gets full marks every time.
 
No excuse for producing a cheap product!
But it seems as if many companies do.
James it was your $$$$
No problem to express how you feel and if the
quality doesn't meet your standards request your money back.

No one should have a problem with that!

Not to rant just tired of the BS
 
Thanks Tyson, Jay, Matthew and others. We really appreciate the feedback-- Good or bad. Its totally up to you if you want to publicly bash us. Of course we prefer an opportunity to make it better and exceed your expectations.

but For the record, we use industry standard plates. I've been working with Red battery plates, IDX battery plates, and Switronix plates connected to a Red for over 4 years. In my opinion they are all great build quality and have a reputation for reliability. We went with Switronix for our first batch but if the community is so disappointed with the plastic in the Switronix plates we will be happy to switch to another manufacturer.

James, I received your email and it sounds like you would like to return this product right after you receive a Switronix plate in the mail. I'll gladly offer you a refund for any reason. However, its my responsibilty to inform you that you will be receiving a very similar plate, since we use the same exact plate to start with.
 
While your here Jason, Do you have any idea when your LCD Viewfinder is hitting the market for non-members of Jay's site?! Definitely keen to put my name down,
 
I think the different views here are a little cultural. I run a company, and I know how I would like my customers to deal with me, so I try to apply that to how I deal with the companies I buy gear from. I know people, and one bad comment has the weight of 10 good ones. So if I am pissed or unhappy with something I buy, I write a letter or call the vendor and say WTF is this?! If they make it right and make me happy.. Fine. If they have an attitude, or don't care about my concerns, off to the forum I go! But I always give them a chance, cause I know I'd want one.
 
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