Extra Battery
- Thread starter Flash Pot
- Start date
I understand, but I know there are only a few battery plants and they just re-brand the nameplates. Just like appliances and a myriad of other products. It's just finding out what the re-brand name is. Thanks
Unlike the old torch batteries, the modern rechargeable batteries have a controller chip embedded. That chip determines at what state of charge/discharge the battery is, and relays the information to the device. Though the base batteries are made by only a few OEM, the battery packs used by devices can be made by any one. All you need is to get the base battery from OEM, program your own chip, package it and sell it.
The problem arises when you do a sloppy job in programming the chip. This may result in faulty dialog and at time over charging, which has resulted in a lot of destroyed devices, and a couple of deaths.
If you are interested in lower cost solutions, then you have to know how to dismantle the battery pack. Then replace the base battery with a similar (or even the original version) and reassemble the pack. This is done regularly by UPS users, though there the technology is much lower. In India, there are quite a few repair shops who do this regularly for Laptop batteries, but I have never heard of any one doint it for either the mobile or camera battery. May not be worth while.
Cowleystjames
Senior Member
When you spend up to £5000 on a Nikon do you really want to save a few pounds on a third party battery that may damage your camera? Not only that, the amperage output of third party battery's are dubious at the best of times.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
I've used Wasabi batteries for years. They're as good if not better than Nikon-branded batteries. If I seriously thought I was getting more for my money buying Nikon-branded batteries, I'd be the first to pony up the cash, but the simple fact is, you're not. All supposition aside, I've used Wasabi batteries in three different Nikons all with zero issues. My girlfriend is using them now now in her D3200. They rock. And they're a fraction of the price of Nikon branded. Building a battery is not rocket science and, in my opinion, there's no need to pay through the nose for one as though it were.
Wasabi Battery for the D3100
...
The OP has a D3100. A refurbished body costs about 5 Nikon batteries. I see your point though.
The OP has a D3100. A refurbished body costs about 5 Nikon batteries. I see your point though.
And it got even worse when Nikon announced policy of requiring dealers to charge full retail list price, no discounts. Probably that does help small local retailers (Nikon outlets) stay in business a little longer, but at the expense of customers. My viewpoint is from a customer.
I've had good luck with Wasabi batteries too, and will certainly get more of them if needed. I'm also starting to look into non-Nikon brands of other things too, like flashes.
sonicbuffalo_RIP
Senior Member
I'm a firm believer in OEM batteries.....might cost more but if there's a probem in manufacturing in them, Nikon will issue a recall, as they've done in the past, and replace it for free. I've never heard of a non OEM manufacturerer doing that. To each his own, though...never tried Wasabi....so why start now?
Wasabi - That the one! I remember doing research a few years ago for my video camera and it was the only one with the chip that worked for it. Same exact battery just with a different stamp. I did several tests and they was absolutely no difference in battery life or performance.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
Just out of curiosity I popped on over to Amazon to check battery prices... They get $65 for a Nikon EN-EL14a and $43 for the older EN-EL14.
Sixty... Five... Dollars...
In my opinion that's nothing, NOTHING, but opportunistic shysterism.
...
but . . .but. . . . it HAS to say Nikon on it!
I'll scribble it on there for $19.95, plus shipping and handling....
Bob Blaylock
Senior Member
Shortly after I got my D3200, I got a pair of these batteries. $25 for two of them compared to $40 for a genuine Nikon EN-EL14 seemed like a good deal. And they had a claimed 1800 mAH capacity, compared to 1030 mAH for Nikon's batteries.
They worked quite well for a while, but I would occasionally put one in my camera, and my camera would power up just long enough to display a message to the effect that this battery cannot be used in this camera. This used to be rare, and when it did happen, I could usually remedy it by putting the battery on the charger for a few seconds, and then back in the camera.
The latest firmware update for the D3200 reportedly caused a lot of third-party batteries to fail completely, but I didn't notice that with mine. They worked just as well immediately after that update as immediately before.
But in the past several weeks, this problem has gradually become more frequent, and more resistant to my established ways of remedying it. I find this very odd. Thinking I understand the issue behind this, I would expect more consistency, and definitely not this gradual worsening.
So, I just recently bought two more batteries. This time, I got these Vivitar-branded batteries which claim to be “fully-decoded”. They were $35 for two of them compared, to $60 for one genuine Nikon EN-EL14a, and they have a claimed capacity of 2300 mAH compared to 1230 mAH for the Nikon EN-EL14a. I've only had them a week or so, but so far, no sign of any problems at all. I have not yet seen the screen telling me of any alleged incompatibility with these batteries.
The original Vivitar company ceased to exist some years ago,and the brand name was bought by a different company, so it remains to be seen how much the new owner of this name cares about preserving the reputation that this name has built up over several decades.
I guess the bottom line is that there are plenty of third-party options to choose from, some better than others, and most much, much less expensive than the genuine Nikon batteries. But there's also a risk of compatibility issues; whereas if you get the genuine Nikon batteries, you can be sure you won't experience these issues.
They worked quite well for a while, but I would occasionally put one in my camera, and my camera would power up just long enough to display a message to the effect that this battery cannot be used in this camera. This used to be rare, and when it did happen, I could usually remedy it by putting the battery on the charger for a few seconds, and then back in the camera.
The latest firmware update for the D3200 reportedly caused a lot of third-party batteries to fail completely, but I didn't notice that with mine. They worked just as well immediately after that update as immediately before.
But in the past several weeks, this problem has gradually become more frequent, and more resistant to my established ways of remedying it. I find this very odd. Thinking I understand the issue behind this, I would expect more consistency, and definitely not this gradual worsening.
So, I just recently bought two more batteries. This time, I got these Vivitar-branded batteries which claim to be “fully-decoded”. They were $35 for two of them compared, to $60 for one genuine Nikon EN-EL14a, and they have a claimed capacity of 2300 mAH compared to 1230 mAH for the Nikon EN-EL14a. I've only had them a week or so, but so far, no sign of any problems at all. I have not yet seen the screen telling me of any alleged incompatibility with these batteries.
The original Vivitar company ceased to exist some years ago,and the brand name was bought by a different company, so it remains to be seen how much the new owner of this name cares about preserving the reputation that this name has built up over several decades.
I guess the bottom line is that there are plenty of third-party options to choose from, some better than others, and most much, much less expensive than the genuine Nikon batteries. But there's also a risk of compatibility issues; whereas if you get the genuine Nikon batteries, you can be sure you won't experience these issues.
Bob Blaylock
Senior Member
They must have seen you post this as they raised the price to $45
Yeah, looking back, I noticed the higher price now on the Vivitar batteries. And a lower price for the other 1800 mAH batteries.
I just want to confirm that I bought THIS BATTERY and it has worked flawlessly. I get around 600 pictures (25% flash/75% non-flash)
I've used no name batteries in my D50/D300 without one overheating or causing problems..
I bought a nameless grip and 2 batteries for the D300 recently $83 delivered they work perfect..
..Nikon Aus wants $79 + delivery for ONE EL-EN 3...I really do wonder who starts these overheating rumors... MMMMMMM
I bought a nameless grip and 2 batteries for the D300 recently $83 delivered they work perfect..
..Nikon Aus wants $79 + delivery for ONE EL-EN 3...I really do wonder who starts these overheating rumors... MMMMMMM
The overheating is not rumour but a fact documented and reported in forums and news papers. Most of the batteries are fine, it is just when a "no name" assembler skimps a few steps and sells dirt cheap, that there can be problems. A lot of cases of cell phone batteries catching fire and/or exploding are reported here in India. A few cheaper camera batteries also have over heated. So as long as you know that the battery is good, it is fine. With a new manufacturer, I would buy and test the battery for - overheating and charge capacity before endorsing it.