X1 Battery Alternatives

[JimA]

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Does anyone have alternative suggestions to the Leica X1 Battery? Looking for less expensive source for backup battery. Thanks!

 

Jim

[JanCderidder]

Amazon has them: AKKU LI-ION 1400mAh passend f

 

I have been using 2 of them for the past 4 months ... perfect solution... and cheap

[prk60091]

Amazon has them: AKKU LI-ION 1400mAh passend f

 

I have been using 2 of them for the past 4 months ... perfect solution... and cheap

 

not available on amazon.com only on amazon.de

and unfortunately i cannot get it ordered here in the USA

[eelekim]

I have an NPower BP-DC8 battery. It has been working fine. Available at eBay like here.

[prk60091]

I have an NPower BP-DC8 battery. It has been working fine. Available at eBay like here.

 

aren't you even a little bit concerned about this battery? i know nothing about it but i would be afraid of some odd LiOn reaction and having it get to hot and burning my x1 and for that matter my house when it charges......

 

i bought a LiOn battery extender from a reputable on-line discount dealer for my iphone.... (it doubled the capacity) and it fried out- fortunately nothing happened to my old iphone(it had a bad reaction while charging) the desk it was on will never be the same...

[Nicoleica]

I agree with Lazaruz. Why would you spend a couple of thousand dollars on a camera, and then risk damaging it by trying to save a few dollars on a battery? I don't wish to offend anyone here, but it seems like a very risky false economy to me. I know that Leica batteries may seem overpriced, but at least you have some comeback if it goes wrong and destroys your camera (Or your house. car, or whatever.) Somehow I can't see a cut-price battery manufacturer being very interested if you send them the bill for any damage caused.

[h00ligan]

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That's true, however as time progresses and cameras hit the market, many 3rd party batteries come out of the same plant providing the oem. I don't know if this is the case for Leica, but it certainly is for a great many other manufacturers. You have a very valid point on claims should anything go wrong though.

[JimA]

Thanks everyone! Great advice. I will stick with the Leica brand as a backup.

 

Jim

[eelekim]

To be frank, I'm a little worried. But the packaging says the followings:

 

No memory effect

No self discharge

Safety passed

Short circuit protection

Anti-overcharge

 

I don't know. So far, so good. No overheat. Or should I say it's as warm as the Leica battery?

 

Btw, do you know about this and other similar cases with big brand batteries? Even the real stuff may have problems. I'd like to buy the real Leica battery though if I can find it. No stock at all in local stores and they're not willing to take my orders and can't tell when it will be available...

[Guest MartinMann]

The chinese accus are working great in expencive Canons and Nikons, why shouldn't they work in Leicas?

[Nicoleica]

The chinese accus work in expencive Canons or Nikons without probs, why should they not work in Leicas?

 

It's not a case of whether or not they may work in the camera, but a case of whether you wish to risk them doing unpleasant things should they go wrong or not.

 

I personally will never fit a battery that is not approved by the camera manufacturer into any of my cameras. As I mentioned above, it seems to be a false economy to spend a lot of money on a camera, and then risk possible damage by trying to save a few dollars on a cheap no-name battery. And no, I'm not rich, and I do think that OEM batteries are overpriced, but the peace of mind is worth more to me than any savings on the cost of a battery. If an OEM battery decides to melt your camera, then I'm sure that the manufacturer will rectify things. But if a non-approved battery does this, I can't see them rushing to help. It may also void your warrantee too!

 

But in the end, it's up to the owner to decide which is more important to them.

[Guest MartinMann]

Yes Nicole,

 

they said it in the first time about the accus for the other expencive Cams too. A few listend and most of them, me too, are using the cheap stuff without Problems.

 

Its up to you what you are doing.

 

A little bit more for the VF, the case, the accu, and so on and on ... yes its a little bit more expencive to be a real "Leicanatic"

 

For me, the Price of the X1 is ok, but the accessories are overpriced.

 

Just my two cents

[Nicoleica]

Yes Nicole,

 

they said it in the first time about the accus for the other expencive Cams too. A few listend and most of them, me too, are using the cheap stuff without Problems.

 

Its up to you what you are doing.

 

A little bit more for the VF, the case, the accu, and so on and on ... yes its a little bit more expencive to be a real "Leicanatic"

 

For me, the Price of the X1 is ok, but the accessories are overpriced.

 

Just my two cents

 

Hi Martin,

 

I fully agree that Leica accessories are very overpriced. As are some by most OEM manufacturers. But very few accessories can end up destroying your camera in the same way that a faulty battery can. I'm not trying to start an argument though, so please take my comments as being with only the best of intentions.

[Guest MartinMann]

No Probs Nicole,

 

and i understand your concerns. I heared a lot of horrorstories about batteries too, but it never happend to me and i never met someone whom it happend.

 

Lucky me

[ravinj]

aren't you even a little bit concerned about this battery? i know nothing about it but i would be afraid of some odd LiOn reaction and having it get to hot and burning my x1 and for that matter my house when it charges......

 

i bought a LiOn battery extender from a reputable on-line discount dealer for my iphone.... (it doubled the capacity) and it fried out- fortunately nothing happened to my old iphone(it had a bad reaction while charging) the desk it was on will never be the same...

 

I have the same NPower battery I have been using for the X1. It is perfect. As for exploding batteries, just google for Sony battery issue.

[Guest badbob]

Two suggestions - buy the battery from a reputable dealer, and read the user reviews on the Internet before buying.

[dkCambridgeshire]

I just bought this replacement X1 battery for £17.99 ... which is £52 less than the recommended Leica replacement

 

Digital Camera products - BatteryUpgrade.co.uk : Upgrade your battery!

 

 

 

 

... description states it contains a chip to prevent overcharging and shorting

 

I'm under the impression that all batteries are made in China or other Far East countries and that they are badge engineered for various camera manufacturers. Some cheap batteries are probably not as good as marque brands so buy at your own risk after assessing sales descriptions.

 

I cannot see how anything as simple as this battery can command a RRP of £70 ... I can buy two car batteries for less.

 

dunk

[eelekim]

I cannot see how anything as simple as this battery can command a RRP of £70 ... I can buy two car batteries for less.

 

So true. It's similar to all the responses I got from my friends after their learning the price of the Leica battery.

[prk60091]

So I decided I wanted Leica battery.

 

An exhaustive search found that Leica BP-DC8 X1 Camera Battery 18706 in Camera Batteries at JR.com was the least expensive (US retailers only) for a genuine leica battery with an online discount code ( GEICO10 ) it came to $109.00 with free shipping. Well worth for the piece of mind it gives.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[phancj]

I also bought the original for peace of mind but havent used it yet coz so far a full charge on the single battery was enough for a day of shooting. I recommend looking at your shooting habits before shelling out for such an expensive battery.