2004Batteries/Power forum
Performance and reliability of Aspen NP-1 NiMH batteries compared to other brands
22 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- Aspen was acquired by Anton/Bauer approximately eighteen months prior to this discussion and continues operating under separate branding
- Aspen batteries can deliver 50 watts output with NiMH chemistry, which is approximately double the output of comparable PAG NiMH batteries in the same physical package
- Switronix also manufactures 50-watt NiMH batteries at lower cost and has a better reliability track record than Aspen
- One user experienced battery failures within 18 months and charger contact issues with Aspen equipment, while other brands' NiMH batteries lasted longer with more charge cycles
- NiMH batteries typically support 300-500 charge cycles while NiCd batteries support 500 or more cycles
- Multiple equipment manufacturers including Tiffen and JVC use Aspen products as original equipment
Depends on
- One negative experience reported may not represent typical product performance
- Battery lifespan depends heavily on usage patterns, frequency of charging, and operating conditions
- The discussion did not reach consensus on Aspen reliability
- No information provided about warranty coverage for defective units