Opinions on using 3rd party non-OEM batteries

[katweazl]

Hey all,

Just after some opinions on this issue. Have people used non-OEM batteries and if so are they safe and reliable and not going to catch fire and melt my camera?

Thanks

Joel

[sirhc55]

I use 3rd party (as well as Nikon) on both the D70 and the D2Hs with no problems (touch wood)

[Matt. K]

I have been using them for over 2 years. No probs.

[thaddeus]

Neither the originals or the clones have exploded on me.

[katweazl]

Great thanks.....you can get them from around $15 on ebay......but I just thought I would check before I went and got one.

Joel

[johndec]

I've got a 3rd party as well as OEM and had no problems with either.

[Marvin]

Had mine for 18 months with no worries.

[christiand]

Same here,

I have a Powermart DNK003 7.4V 1300mAh 3rd party
which I bought 18months ago: not a problem whatsoever.

Cheers and happy new year,
CD

[Mal]

12 months, no problems, lasts longer.

[phillipb]

I just bought one off Ebay for $9.90 + $12.00 express post even though I've never needed a spare. So far no problems, but then again I haven't had to use it yet.

[DionM]

I have had mixed results.

Out of the 6 non-OEM batteries I have acquired (yes, six) ... only 2 work in my 20D.

Story goes like this ...

1. Buy a single non-OEM battery on eBay. It works first charge. Go to buy another, spy a great deal for two, voila, have a total of 3 batteries.

2. All 3 batteries only give 1 or 2 runs in the 20D then the 20D stops 'seeing' them. Will not power up.

3. Long time passes. Buy two batteries from http://www.qualitycamera.com.au . One stops working, other powers on. Drop email to website owner, he sends me a replacement. It works.

So I have 6 batteries, only 2 working.

I should add that through out this, I have not spent anywhere near what Canon wants for 1 battery ... so I'm still ahead ... just.

Thankfully the 'dead' batteries do work in my Powershot G2 ... so my PnS has 4 spare batteries

[Onyx]

Dion, you coulda chucked the non-working ones in a fire on NYE for some spectacular fireworks.

[Geoff]

I too have a combination of genuine nikon batteries and the other ones...both are fine

[MattC]

I have stuck to OEM batteries. Now, I am sure that the "fakes" are, in some cases, as good the real deal - There is probably a good chance that they came out of the same factory as the originals, but....


Li-Ion batteries can be a bomb if they are not treated right and safegaurds are not implemented properly.
The recent recall of Nikon batteries is a testament to the fact that Li-Ion batteries can have problems - even the branded ones. It is reassuring to know that Nikon has been upfront on this one and has put the safety of it's customers first (and the possibility of a multi-million dollar compensation payout if someone was injured while Nikon knew of the problem and ignored it).
The questions that may be asked of the "fakes" are: If there is a fault will they be recalled? I doubt it. Some of the non genuine batteries may be afflicted with the same problem that caused the Nikon recall - but that is pure speculation. If the "fake" ruins the camera due to a fault, who is going to foot the repair bill? Nikon won't touch it (in terms of warranty) and I doubt that any of us would have much joy going after some unknown overseas company.

I do admit to there being a degree of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) in all of this, but thought I would lay out the cons of non genuine batteries. It is also the extreme (there is that word filter) end. The Nikon battery recall was the result of something like 4 batteries... out of how many millions.

For my own use, I do not need more than one spare. I do not think that I have ever taken more than 600 shots in a day and I easily get that from one battery. I carry the spare, but I do not think that I have ever needed to use it. It is nice however, to have that spare "just in case" or to have a battery in the camera while the other is on the charger.

When I purchased the D70, I spent $2400 (IIRC) on the kit, $800 or so on the SB800, a couple of grand on lenses, more on a bag, CF cards, etc. Saving a few bucks on a battery did not make much sense at the time.

Cheers PS. I still have 4 non genuine batteries for my old CP5700 and they were never a problem.

[Steffen]

I have stuck to OEM batteries. Now, I am sure that the "fakes" are, in some cases, as good the real deal - There is probably a good chance that they came out of the same factory as the originals, but....

I'm with you on that one. I'm not usually defending overpriced "original" ware, but those Li-Ions are a touchy subject. Nokia have a tale to tell about them, too.

I wouldn't use non-Nikon batteries for now, not because I think 3rd-party ones are in any way inferior but merely because of the warranty issue.

I'm happy to mix and match 3rd-party accessories with my Nikon gear, but in the case of Li-Ions it's not only the battery itself that's at stake but the whole rig, and maybe your skin, too. Nobody is going to pay a cent if something goes wrong. For me, the extra cost of OEM's is more like an insurance policy.

That said, I haven't bought a Nikon battery yet, I was lucky enough to get two of them with my camera, and they'll last me a long time by the looks of it.

Cheers
Steffen.

[birddog114]

Echoing from MATTC and other:
Fake or non-genuine Nikon batteries are useable but the outcome if something happens, no one can tell or don't want to guess
You spent few grands for your gears and hesitated to spend another 40 bucks extra for a genuine battery, it seems to me it's not the right decision, and I don't go that way.

[losfp]

I've used both before, with no problems.

Having said that, I generally use the genuine batteries as a first choice, with the 3rd party cheapies as a "just in case" backup until I get a chance to charge up the genuine batteries again.