VF | Brook's APU Battery Plates [IDX & AB, REDmote charging cable!]

[Erich Ocean]

I could use some advice on batteries (I don't own either AB or IDX mount-batteries). With the RedVolt prices being as pricey as they are, I'm looking at going with Brook's plate.

People seem to prefer (?) the IDX system over the AB system, which seems more historical. I am I understanding this right? Why would I choose one or the other.

Thanks!

 

[Luis Caffesse]

Looks fantastic, Brook.
I like that the AB leaves you a bit more clearance on the top - I was a bit worried about using a top handle with the IDX batteries.
Doesn't seem to be a concern with the AB batteries.

Decisions decisions now.

 

[Jeffrey Loewe]

Heheh, typo, my mistake! It is its own standalone plate... separate from the APU-IDX.

Functionally, the APU-AB is identical to the APU-IDX. All of the same features and functionality apply.

So you can still use Red Bricks?

Also I'm still waiting for my APU plate I ordered a week or so ago. When does this one come out? It seems like it has better clearance on top. Is it the same price and can we swap them out if this one is offering lower clearance?

 

[Noel Evans]

OK now with the lower AB Mount - putting it on the list.

 

[Brook Willard]

So you can still use Red Bricks?

Sorry Jeff, the APU-IDX is for IDX/V-mount batteries and the APU-AB is for Anton Bauer batteries. You cannot use RED Bricks [which are V-mount batteries] on the APU-AB. The plate is shorter because Anton Bauer batteries [and the mount, accordingly] are shorter than IDX batteries.

 

[Luis Caffesse]

Not specifically a plate question - but will help make my decision between AB and IDX versions -

Will AB batteries pass charge info to the camera?
Or do you need to rely on the meters on the battery?

Also, Brook, which AB battery is that in the pic?
Just curious.

 

[Nick Pasquariello]

Please point me to the cheaper ways of mounting v-mount batteries to Epic/Scarlet cameras using rails, as I'm unable to find any solutions in another price range. Anyways, it would be great to be able to do both with this unit. Directly to the camera body, or on the rails for shoulder balance, depending on the situation.

http://elementtechnica.mybigcommerce.com/products/Battery-Interface-%2b-V%2dDOCK-Kit-19mm.html

There are others out there, even some that are a bit more do-it-yourself (buy a IDX plate, buy a few screws, mount them to something on your rods). But the Element Technica is the only one that I know off the top of my head.

 

[Brook Willard]

Not specifically a plate question - but will help make my decision between AB and IDX versions -

Will AB batteries pass charge info to the camera?
Or do you need to rely on the meters on the battery?

Also, Brook, which AB battery is that in the pic?
Just curious.

The Epic reads voltage directly from the battery, so any battery [AB or IDX or...] will show battery status on the camera. To clarify, this status will be voltage, not a percentage as on the RED Bricks. When the camera gets down to ~12.0v, it's time to change batteries.

Anton Bauer has had a few different batteries in that form factor over the years [the rendering is just a placeholder], but the current flagship of that shape is the Dionic HC [91Wh]. The Dionic 90 and Hytron 50 are of the same shape and the Dionic HCX is a 124Wh version of the HC - it's slightly thicker and heavier. They have tons of other varieties as well, and the mount is just as "standard" as the V-mount, so there are many third party models.

 

[Peter Matthes]

How long until we can expect the APU-AB to hit the Viewfactor store?

 

[Jeffrey Loewe]

Sorry Jeff, the APU-IDX is for IDX/V-mount batteries and the APU-AB is for Anton Bauer batteries. You cannot use RED Bricks [which are V-mount batteries] on the APU-AB. The plate is shorter because Anton Bauer batteries [and the mount, accordingly] are shorter than IDX batteries.

Brook,

No worries. Thanks for answering so promptly. Either way I'm still looking forward to getting my plate and on the back of my camera! Thanks for all your hard work.

-Jeffrey

 

[Kamilla Lusa]

To clarify, this status will be voltage, not a percentage as on the RED Bricks.
.

Hi Brook,

does that mean that if I were to put my Red Bricks on the APU plate, I will still be able to see percentage in camera?

Thanks,
Kamilla

 

[Brook Willard]

How long until we can expect the APU-AB to hit the Viewfactor store?

They should be up by the end of the week!

Hi Brook,

does that mean that if I were to put my Red Bricks on the APU plate, I will still be able to see percentage in camera?

Thanks,
Kamilla

Nope, it will only display a voltage.

 

[Brook Willard]

It occurs to me that I never posted these prototype pictures! Enjoy...

 

[Curt von Badinski]

By the way, we want to thank our Friendly neighborhood DP Bruce Johnson for hanging out and letting us use his Epic for pics and working out the protos.

 

[daniel caruso]

thanks for updating curt. I have an order in on the 24th, so could take a bit to send out. no worries though as I am a scarlet-x soon-to-be owner. as long as its not a big lead time; gathering gear before it arrives. thanks again!

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

Looks DELICIOUS BROOK! Cant wait to order, thanks for pics... looks EPIC! !

 

[Nick Noev]

Plates look great! Have you guys considered more than one D-tap or maybe 2-pin lemo aux power ports on the side of the plate? thinking epic + teradek cube + tv logic vfm_065wf all powered by one dionic HC. (inspired by contineo 5d cage)

n.

 

[Brook Willard]

Plates look great! Have you guys considered more than one D-tap or maybe 2-pin lemo aux power ports on the side of the plate? thinking epic + teradek cube + tv logic vfm_065wf all powered by one dionic HC. (inspired by contineo 5d cage)

n.

Just you wait...

 

[C.H.Haskell]

It occurs to me that I never posted these prototype pictures! Enjoy...

I like that this set up looks to be very compact, very secure, protected and still maintain a low profile. Which Bricks do you recommend for this setup? Thanks Brook.

 

[Brook Willard]

I quite like Anton Bauer's Dionic batteries... particularly the HC or HCX batteries for their ability to power 10A worth of goodies. They're pricey though. There are too many battery choices out there!