Generic "Sony" batteries

tcbetka wrote on 10/18/2008, 7:24 PM

I received my FX1 a couple of days ago and I was going through the manual and other literature before trying out the camera--and came upon an accessories catalog. So I started looking for some of the things, especially extra batteries, and I came upon a whole bunch of these knock-off units; basically generic NP-F970 batteries. There a ton of them on ebay for $25, but that seems pretty "cheap" to me...and I don't necessarily mean inexpensive.

Anyone know if they are worth trying? I was just going to look around for the best prices on an actual InfoLithium L Series NP-F970, and buy one or two. Or maybe even buy one and a NP-F770 to boot...something like that. But I certainly don't want to risk a camera on a cheap battery, so I thought I'd ask here, and also go surf the DV forums.

Thanks.

TB

EDIT: Should have looked there first! Here's a http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sony-hvr-v1-hdr-fx7/106567-sony-np-f970-battery-vs-generic.htmlthread[/link] I found over on the DV forums. Seems that some folks had some real good luck with the Lenmar version of the NP-F970.

Comments

TLF wrote on 10/19/2008, 12:44 AM

Well, I found a seller on eBay (no longer registered) who seemed to be selling genuine Sony F970 batteries. They were newbies and had under-priced and poorly listed them, and consequently I appear to have received a bargain... The batteries seem to be genuine - the packaging looked right, the text was correct, the font and holograms all look right...

Anyway, I also have a generic unbranded battery that lasts for ages, is compatible with the InfoLithium system, and does a great job. I bought it in error, but as it works, I'm using it.

I think that is luck of the draw, though. I got lucky.

tcbetka wrote on 10/19/2008, 7:55 AM

The Lenmar NP-F970 knock-offs are about $50 online, give or take. So that isn't too bad. Some of the folks on the DV forum apparently have had good longevity from them, among other brands, so if they last twice as long as these $25 ebay units--then it's worth it probably. I guess it might not hurt to try one.

TB

craftech wrote on 10/19/2008, 1:19 PM

I have had good luck with CTA batteries.

John

bsuratt wrote on 10/19/2008, 2:06 PM

I have never found any substitute for an original OEM battery to last or perform as well as the real thing.... if you can find the real thing!
Camcorders, cellphones, all!

Some subs may work satisfactorily for some applications but they never really perform or last as long.

tcbetka wrote on 10/19/2008, 2:11 PM

http://www.brandsplace.com/0341-lenlis970p.htmlThis [/link] is the version I think the person on the DV forum was talking about. The one poster commented on how long they lasted.

I will look around a bit and pick something up ASAP--I only got an NP-570 with the camera, so I don't have too much longevity to work with.

TB

Laurence wrote on 10/19/2008, 7:57 PM

I bought some "real" Sony batteries from some place in China off eBay. The packaging was perfect: holograms and all, but the batteries didn't pass the Sony DRM check and the camera turned off with a "use real Sony batteries" message.

I would stick with Sony batteries bought from someplace like B&H just to be safe.

Ecquillii wrote on 10/20/2008, 7:31 AM

TB, I don't have experience with your camera or battery, but I did order a Sony-branded high-capacity battery from China for an old D8 camera. It came at one-sixth of the price that the local Sony Store was charging and worked just like the real thing. I ordered another two immediately. (Three for half-the-price of one!)

Tim

tcbetka wrote on 10/20/2008, 8:07 AM

OK, how much do I owe you to tell me your source? Give it up man, give it up. OUT WITH IT!

LOL.

TB

Ecquillii wrote on 10/20/2008, 10:44 AM

My source was an eBay seller called The-Battery. The description said "Brand New Genuine Sony Battery Factory Sealed". I wouldn't know how to tell the difference in a critical way, but it looks and functions like the real thing. They don't appear to have the battery you are looking for, but they do have the NP-F570 listed.

Tim

Avanti wrote on 10/20/2008, 5:13 PM

I posted this on 8-26-08

I purchase only generic (Sunpac and Lenmar) batteries for my 2 Sony vx2000's and HD-1000. I never buy anything on e-bay. All 3 cameras use the same type battery.

I had one battery DOA and wouldn't take a charge and I got the Sony error message. I sent it back, and they gave me a full refund $35 for a np970, quite a good deal. I don't think you have a "copy protection" issue, I think you have crappy batteries.

http://www.avantibiz.com

winrockpost wrote on 10/21/2008, 8:01 AM

In a bind and on the road I bought a couple of batteries from one of those brick and mortor battery stores, think it was called the battery store.. catchy name.
Anyway they are rayovac ,work perfecly fine in a z1 and were quite a bit less than the sony brand

tcbetka wrote on 10/21/2008, 10:04 AM

Thanks for the advice guys...much appreciated.

I just had to return a lens to an outfit I bought it from a few weeks ago. While talking to the manager on the phone, I noticed that they the Sony batteries, and then some "generic" ones as well. So we talked about each of them and he told me that they have had excellent luck with that particular brand...but I cannot recall the manufacturer's name he told me. In any event, I simply exchanged the lens for one Sony NP-F970 battery, and one generic NP-F970 battery. He assured me that they have been selling them for at least a couple of years now, and do not see them returned for failing.

I will report how well this battery works in a week or two, and how it compares to the actual Sony model.

TB