The Batteries Thread -- OEM vs. After Market

Raphy

[MOD EDIT: I've merged several batteries threads into this one, and renamed it for easier reference. :thumb]

Just curious if anyone has found a "relaible" source for non-OEM batteries. I'm particularly interested in having a backup of the EN-EL9 Nikon battery for my D40. Any aftermarket companies that you have tried and tested ? :dunno

Thanks! :thumb

Pupator

Raphy wrote:

Just curious if anyone has found a "relaible" source for non-OEM batteries. I'm particularly interested in having a backup of the EN-EL9 Nikon battery for my D40. Any aftermarket companies that you have tried and tested ?

Thanks!

The aftermarkets I bought for my Panasonic at batteries.com get about 1/2 the life of the OEM. Of course, they were about 1/4 of the price - so maybe it's worth it?

TylerW

I've got a small stable of batteries from Calumet. they last marginally longer than the OEMs, but at 60% of the price. they're great.

acidburn_85

Raphy wrote:

Just curious if anyone has found a "relaible" source for non-OEM batteries. I'm particularly interested in having a backup of the EN-EL9 Nikon battery for my D40. Any aftermarket companies that you have tried and tested ?

Thanks!

I use a company on ebay called Sterlingtek they last just as long if not longer than oem for about 1/3 the price.

salazar

Sterlingtek has a website you can order directly from as well as ebay. It's: http://sterlingtek.com/

If you do a search on Sterlingtek on dgrin you'll find a number of threads where they are mentioned. People here seem to like them.

Here's an example of such a thread: http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=59287&highlight=sterlingtek

Scott_Quier

I can also vouch for the SterlingTek batteries. About a year ago, I bought a pair of their 2000mAh batteries. They have stood that test of that short period of time and the charge rating appears to be honest - at least they last longer in camera then the OEM Canon. I like them so much, that I just purchased 4 more of them (between my son and me, we run three cameras with the BP-E2 grips === 6 batteries!).

Raphy

Sweet - I also heard about Sterlintek and just wanted to see if you guys would mentione them ! ...and you did !

Thanks for all the replies!

Raphy

Just put my order through at Sterkingtek !

RustingInPeace

Batteries Plus
Batteries Plus

I have great luck with them. I have purchaed camera and laptop batteries from them and been very happy.

aktse

It's Sterlintek for me....

dangin

TylerW wrote:

I've got a small stable of batteries from Calumet. they last marginally longer than the OEMs, but at 60% of the price. they're great.

+1

kelsow

Non brand name batteries
I see batteries through eBay are quite cheap.
I'm looking to get a spare one for my D40x and see that a 1800mAh is
available. Are they worthwhile getting or should I stick with name brand stuff?

Thanks

gus

kelsow wrote:

I see batteries through eBay are quite cheap.
I'm looking to get a spare one for my D40x and see that a 1800mAh is
available. Are they worthwhile getting or should I stick with name brand stuff?

Thanks

I have bought several diff unknown brands through ebay for both of my canon DSLR's & they are perfectly ok.

kelsow

Thanks for the quick response.

gryphonslair99

Take a look here. I get the two pack of B511 batteries for my Canon for $23.98. Higher maH 's and a lot cheaper than Canon's batteries.

http://sterlingtek.com/index.html

ziggy53

I would caution that some cheap LIon batteries lack proper safety mechanisms and can even explode under certain conditions.

If you purchase from one of the big retailers at least you might have some recourse if the worst should happen. I also suggest that firms like B&H will not knowingly carry "any" sub-standard batteries because of the negative fallout that could occur.

If you purchase from one of the Ebay way-off-brands you probably would not have any recourse at all.

Tee Why

I too would caution against really cheap batteries online. I've read from PopPhoto that some do not come with internal circuits that stops recharging once the charge is full and they have exploded.

Having said that sterlingtek.com sell third party batteries that have been reputable and they have great prices and service as well. I've bought 5 batteries from them with only one defective one, and many in my club have bought them as well with no real issues.

dangin

get something with a warranty from a reputable dealer. i've got a few li-ion batteries for my nikon d200 and d3 from calumet. they're less expensive than the OEMs, have the same if not higher capacities, and come with a 1 year warranty.

kelsow

Thanks for all the feedback lads.

Sprout Crumble

Nothing wrong with decent 3rd party batteries. A battery isn't rocket science but it is a disgustingly overpriced cash-cow for Canon and Nikon.

Raphy

I was in the same boat a few months ago: http://www.digitalgrin.com/showthread.php?t=75936

Bought mine at sterlingtek for my D40 ...so far so good... .. i think it came to $28 shippped total to Toronto...

James S

When I first got my 30D I bought 2 targus batteries for the camera. First time I put one in I had to pry it back out with a screwdriver. I returned both and will only buy Canon from now on.

kelsow

I should have thought about the search feature.

I ended up getting 2X EN-EL9 1800mAh Li-Ion Battery for 24 bux delivered
through fleabay.

lefturn99

+1 for SterlingTek. Got them for the 30D and G9. No probs and they last at least as long as Canon.

bauerman

Sterlingtek sells a quality product and will stand behind it were to you have any issues.

Paying triple or quadruple the price is just throwing money away to me.

pathfinder

I have purchased batteries from Sterlingtek since I originally owned a 10D almost 4 years ago. The have all worked flawlessly.

20DNoob

Another SterlingTek user here.

eichert12

Thanks all, I just ordered a SterlingTek battery for a fraction of the price I would have paid for the Canon version. Now I can put my saved money towards something I actually look forward to buying.

z_28

I was Sterlingtek user but looks as not anymore !

Their EN-EL3e are NOT compatible with D300 scratch:cry

So -4 for 4 Sterlingtek's

lowflyer

I've also used SterlingTek for my P&S cameras. No problems.

scottV

sterlingtek++
1700mah for my xt, price can't be beat.