2010Batteries/Power forum
Comparison of V-mount batteries for Steadicam work regarding weight, capacity, and cost
16 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- The Lentequip Uniblock is a 14.4v NiMH battery with 115Wh capacity and 8Ah rating that weighs 3.4 lbs per unit, making it suitable for balancing Steadicam rigs when used in pairs or triples.
- NiMH batteries like the Uniblock offer better weight characteristics for counterbalancing compared to lithium-ion options, which tend to be too light and require extended posts to achieve balance.
- The Uniblock features a connector to power 14.4v accessories and can operate as a standalone battery.
- Anton Bauer Dionic batteries come in multiple variants: the D-160 (approximately 175Wh, 12Ah capacity, similar weight to Uniblock but smaller footprint), the Dionic HCX (120Wh lithium-ion, 2.4 lbs, $699 list price), and can charge on existing Anton Bauer chargers.
- V-mount 160Wh batteries reportedly provide substantially longer runtime compared to SWIT 130Wh batteries.
- Pricing comparisons showed significant variation, with 160Wh lithium batteries ranging from $800 each to AUD$2000 for four units with quad charger depending on distributor and D-Tap connector inclusion.
Depends on
- This discussion is from 2010 and reflects pricing and product availability from that era.
- Battery runtime claims lack specific testing protocols or discharge rate specifications.
- Comparisons are anecdotal rather than systematic testing across models.
- Some pricing information is approximated or sourced from memory.