Tascam DR-60D - what amperage does it take from external battery pack?
- Thread starter OldCorpse
- Start date
Thanks, dcloud! Stupid question: what is the difference if both work? For example, say I want to use the DR-60D to phantom power a mic - at that point, does it matter if the 60D is getting 2.1A or 1A juice from the battery pack? Bottom line: is there any difference to using 1 vs 2.1 in any scenario? Thanks!
Richard Crowley
Veteran
If the DR-60D needs <1A, then there is no difference to the DR-60D.
There probably IS a difference to the battery pack, but since we don't know what it is, we have no way of discussing the possibilities.
Thank you guys! FWIW, the battery pack in question is a 50,000mAh one here.
Well, you have to be careful. Select the seller carefully, one that has good feedback, and has sold a bunch so there is a track record. I bought from a company located and shipping from the U.S., that's sold close to 1000, so if there were problems, it would be reflected in the ratings by now. I say this, because there's usually a swarm of sellers that jump on a bandwagon, usually from China, and inevitably there's going to be fakes and lesser quality passed off as the real article. So stick with sellers that have a track record in the U.S., and it's possible to get one under $20.
I figure with two of these, I'm set as far as the 60D is concerned - 50,000mAh should last a full day of shooting and more, and I'd still have another 50,000mAh in reserve as backup. It's probably overkill, but I grew paranoid over the volume of complaints about non-existent battery life on the 60D. And I also bought the AC power unit for when I'm stationary.
I figure with two of these, I'm set as far as the 60D is concerned - 50,000mAh should last a full day of shooting and more, and I'd still have another 50,000mAh in reserve as backup. It's probably overkill, but I grew paranoid over the volume of complaints about non-existent battery life on the 60D. And I also bought the AC power unit for when I'm stationary.
Rick R
Veteran
50,000mA/h sounds like a lot... but it ain't, considering the low voltage level.. but would probably run a low draw recorder for longer than the internal batteries. Do some calculations and/or testing before assuming a battery will run a device all day w/o problems. It should also be tested what will actually does happen when the external battery does run low or when power is disconnected accident. Will the machine auto switch to the internal batts. or will the recoding in progress be lost?
These are different scenarios that should be explored prior to 'heading out'.
These are different scenarios that should be explored prior to 'heading out'.
Totally, Rick, absolutely. I intend to test it fully, and as I said, I'll have a second pack just for back up. I'm taking nothing for granted. Indeed 50,000mAh is not much at that voltage, but I've seen other packs with the same voltage clocking in at 12,000mAh and costing twice as much, so all in all, I still think it's a decent deal. But of course, test first!
prexdealer
Well-known member
OldCorpse, did you pick up the DR60 during that recent drop in price? I did the same, thanks for asking the question. I haven't had time to test mine yet.
Rick R
Veteran
The price drop is likely due to Tascam's announcement of new models w/ Wifi and smart phone controllable. DR-22WL and DR-44WL in case you haven't noticed.
My Tascam contact sez more new products are on the way.
Yes, I picked it up for $149.00. And indeed I figured that it was because new Tascam products are coming out. But really, $149 is so little money, it would be a crime not to pick it up brand new. As for new products, well, there always are, so what can you do.
My philosophy of gear buying is very simple: does "X" do what I need right now, and is the price good enough? If yes, I buy. Next month, or next year there will be something better and cheaper, but meanwhile I get to use "X". If compelling enough, I can buy the new Tascam stuff, but what if it is not compelling - what am I using in the meanwhile? Also, I don't like to jump on brand new gear, I like for it to live in the field in users hands for a while and reports to come back before I buy, and meanwhile I'm using what I have.
To me, the DR-60D works for what I need. It has some flaws, but not deal-breakers. Mostly stuff that's unpredictable - apparently the XLR jacks can get stuck... until it happens, I just keep going. Same with the supposed poor quality construction - until it breaks, I'll live with it. As far as battery life - well, there are workarounds, and I've done that, so I'm fine with that. The preamps are adequate. Would I prefer Mixpre-D quality? Sure, but Mixpre-D needs a recorder and is 5 times more expensive. For my needs, the DR-60D is good enough. I'll see what Tascam comes out with, but I'm happy I bought the DR-60D for $149 brand new.
My philosophy of gear buying is very simple: does "X" do what I need right now, and is the price good enough? If yes, I buy. Next month, or next year there will be something better and cheaper, but meanwhile I get to use "X". If compelling enough, I can buy the new Tascam stuff, but what if it is not compelling - what am I using in the meanwhile? Also, I don't like to jump on brand new gear, I like for it to live in the field in users hands for a while and reports to come back before I buy, and meanwhile I'm using what I have.
To me, the DR-60D works for what I need. It has some flaws, but not deal-breakers. Mostly stuff that's unpredictable - apparently the XLR jacks can get stuck... until it happens, I just keep going. Same with the supposed poor quality construction - until it breaks, I'll live with it. As far as battery life - well, there are workarounds, and I've done that, so I'm fine with that. The preamps are adequate. Would I prefer Mixpre-D quality? Sure, but Mixpre-D needs a recorder and is 5 times more expensive. For my needs, the DR-60D is good enough. I'll see what Tascam comes out with, but I'm happy I bought the DR-60D for $149 brand new.
Richard Crowley
Veteran
I also picked up a DR-60D. At that price it is worth keeping around as a backup machine in case something happens to the primary recorder, etc.
50,000mA/h sounds like a lot... but it ain't, considering the low voltage level.. but would probably run a low draw recorder for longer than the internal batteries.
One interesting spec comes from the Tascam BP-6AA External Battery Pack for External Recorders which Tascam recommends for the DR-60D as a battery pack to extend the working time. Namely, in the spec list it says "Output Power: 5VDC", indicating that a 5V powerpack should be OK, and I think that 50,000mAh at 5V is still likely to be longer lasting than 6AA batteries outputting 5V. The other thing to keep in mind is that the original battery compartment on the DR-60D carries 4AA batteries where they recommend either alkaline or NiMH, and the nominal voltage for an AA NiMH battery is 1.2. Using the BP-6AA with 6 eneloop pro batteries is estimated as 14.5 hours of use of the DR-60D, which is a full day.
The BP-6AA is $34.49, and you get 14.5 hours. If I can get more out of my $18 50K mAh battery pack, I'll be happy. Of course, the BP-6AA has a dedicated threaded 1/4"-20 tripod socket, so it may be easier to mount.
One interesting spec comes from the Tascam BP-6AA External Battery Pack for External Recorders which Tascam recommends for the DR-60D as a battery pack to extend the working time. Namely, in the spec list it says "Output Power: 5VDC", indicating that a 5V powerpack should be OK, and I think that 50,000mAh at 5V is still likely to be longer lasting than 6AA batteries outputting 5V. The other thing to keep in mind is that the original battery compartment on the DR-60D carries 4AA batteries where they recommend either alkaline or NiMH, and the nominal voltage for an AA NiMH battery is 1.2. Using the BP-6AA with 6 eneloop pro batteries is estimated as 14.5 hours of use of the DR-60D, which is a full day.
The BP-6AA is $34.49, and you get 14.5 hours. If I can get more out of my $18 50K mAh battery pack, I'll be happy. Of course, the BP-6AA has a dedicated threaded 1/4"-20 tripod socket, so it may be easier to mount.
Bruce Foreman
Veteran
I ordered one of these based on your comments on it, it being only $18 made it a "no brainer". It came in today, I connected it to the DR60D long enough to see that it did power the unit. The battery had 4 "lights" when I switched it on with nothing connected and one began blinking when I had it connected to the TASCAM.
Am I right in thinking that means "1 bar partially down and 3 bars" left?
And when I connected it to my phone charger I had one solid and one blinking. Is this the normal display while charging or does the number of "solid lights" increase as the charging process moves towards completion?
The tiny little pamphlet of a manual is obviously written or translated by one whose primary language is unlikely to be English. However this battery pack appears to be a solidly constructed unit. Like you I had ordered the AC adapter for the TASCAM.
Thanks for posting about this thing. I'd have probably spent double for the 6 AA cell external pack.
When I got it, I immediately plugged it in to charge it - and went to bed. When I woke up, there were no lights, blinking or otherwise, so I'm not sure how the lights indicate amount of charge exactly, but I'd guess that it's like with most of these - the more bars, the more charge. I also read somewhere, unfortunately I can't remember where, that it's supposed to go through a couple of charge/discharge cycles before it's fully operational, i.e. for it to hold the max charge. I've been somewhat busy so I have not had a chance to fully discharge as yet, I only plugged it in briefly to see if it powers the DR-60D at all, which it did. With the new mic coming in next week, I should have more of an opportunity to test it.