2026From a Facebook group: The Steadicam Group
Choosing long-term battery investment for Steadicam® sleds: Anton Bauer, Core SWX, IDX, Indipro, and custom cell builds.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- Anton Bauer G3 150 is heavy; newer firmware allows the LED charge-level display to be switched off.
- Core SWX batteries (including Nano 90 Wh) are praised as best-in-class, with reported serviceability over 7 years; several operators switched from Anton Bauer due to the cost of replacing a full set.
- IDX batteries (e.g. DUO-C198, 193 Wh, 2.4 lb) have been in use for over 20 years in V-Mount configuration, are significantly cheaper than Anton Bauer, and prove durable.
- Indipro 98 Wh serves as a solid alternative.
- A custom build using an old Dionic 90 housing with AB-HCX controllers and LG cells reportedly runs well.
- Battery selection depends on frequency of use: occasional jobs require less investment than regular rental or production work.
Depends on
- Choice varies with workload: occasional small jobs versus regular production demands.
- Compatibility with existing Gold-Mount or V-Mount infrastructure on the rig.
- Total cost of ownership including chargers and spare cells.