Battery choices for the HPX-170

A

allenz

Member
Hi
Well after waiting since March 7th, I finally got my new HPX-170. Wow! Nice camera.

I'm interested in knowing what others may be using for batteries. The standard battery that came with the camera I understand will only power the camera for just over 2 hours.

I did read the post below about eBay batteries but it didn't answer my question so here goes. sorry for any duplication. I tried searching first. also I'm repeating something said in the "eBay battery Post" When will these DVX batteries become available again? Yes, page shows out of stock for months now!

I need something that will power the camera for around 6 hours +/-.

I know there's the AB ElipZ system as well as somethig on B&H called Impact which seems to fit the existing battery compartment. Then it's a move up in bulk and weight to the AB or IDX stuff. I think the Impact is a new 'house' brand for B&H.

I know the AB pouch pack mount will hold a Hytron 50 but how long would that battery run the camera? Then I'd have to get a JimmyBox to mount the unit under the camera. I also have my nNovia digital recorder that mounts under the camera, neither idea seems favorable to me. That's a lot of stuff mounted under the camera. IDX has a small Li-ion 90 but same question. That 90 is the largest LI-ion approved by TSA.

I have a shoulder bag mount for the digital recorder so that's no problem to just hang it from the tripod, however in my technical work we're either using a Hi-Hat or renting mounts and risers from Chapman.


What are you 'field' folks using?
Thanks
Allen
 
Allen, the standard "HVX" /"HPX" style batteries are 7.2V, they are all (any brand) under 6000 mah in capacity, so none of them will power the camera for 6 hours. The most you will probably get is ~3-4 hours. But they are light, small and not very expensive. We carry high capacity 5400mah Lenmars, they come with 3 year warranty and we are getting very good feedback from the field. IDX and AB batteries (except the ElipZ) are all 14.4V batteries, they can not power your camera natively, the voltage has to be converted (stepped down) to 7.2V making the whole approach bulky, and more expensive. Unless you already own the AB or IDX batteries and chargers, I would not personally recommend them...
 
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Hi Alex

Thanks much for your reply. Funny I already had your site bookmarked after googling the batteries.

I do have a question though. I thought the mAh (oops! Sorry Wh?) was a hint as to how long the batter would power something. For Example the Panasonic CGA that came with the camera says it's 5400mAh, 39Wh. the Impact that B&H Sels is a 5600mAh, don't know the watt hours though.

I read about your LIP 540 CGA-D54/54S replacement battery. When you say high capacity, being at the same 54oomAh are you saying the Wh is longer? 3-4 hours is probably okay.

I already have 2 Anton Bauer Hytron 140's and a titan-2 charger but those are for my DSR-250 and when I sell that I'm going to have to include the batteries and charger. Also AB does have a QR-DVX pouch pak mount that will step down the voltage to 7v, but the biggest battery that'll take is a Hytron 50 and I don't believe that battery will power the 170 any longer than 3-4 hours from what I understand. IDX I really don't know about.

All these extra batteries including the ElipZ have to mount under the camera which is not something I want to do. Sorry I'm spoiled by the DSR-250 and AB stuff. ;-) but I'm not spoiled by the 19lb weight! ugh!

It's not worth it to me to have all that extra weight and an external mount just to get another 2-3 hours run time. I also like the fact of your 4 unit charger.

I have some more questions but I'll handle this from your site. Don't want to get too commercial here.

Thanks again.
Allen
 
Allen, mah and wh are not the same. You get wh by multiplying mah by voltage. But for simplicity when people talk about the batteries of the same voltage (all smaller cameras these days run on 7.2V power) they just compare mah numbers (keeping 7.2V in mind). The batteries with over 5000mah are usually called high capacity. I am aware of the AB voltage step down piece; it probably has 80%-90% efficiency. So a Hytron 50 (50WH) battery becomes ~40-45WH battery after the step down conversion is taken into account, giving the same run time as a much smaller and cheaper CGA-54 battery. HTH
 
Alex,

I haven't tested it yet.. Just got them in last week. However, it will be somewhat similar to the to standard battery. You get two new batteries for just $44 bucks.

Mark
 
Don't buy eBay batteries. Ever. I bought two, and regret doing so. They're made out of cheap plastic that make the batteries wobble on both my DVX and HVX's battery mount. Because of that cheap "bendable" plastic and wobbling, there's lots of play on the battery mount which sometimes loose contact and shuts off the camcorder. You sure don't want that happening during critical shooting. Handheld shooting is a PITA with these. And if you ever work on P2-based workflow cams, forget about these unless you're ready to stumble upon corrupt files now and then. Or fry something in your camcorder according to horror stories from my dealer.

The advice here is to buy either true Panasonic CGAs or cheaper alternatives from trusted online dealers like B&H or Spec Com but never, ever buy knock-offs like those on eBay. Worst deal I ever made.
 
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When I wrote "Panny", I meant Panasonic, not some obscure company :smile:

There should be a sticky somewhere around here warning about cheap batteries, dont' you guys agree?
 
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