DIY Photography

Your one stop shop for everything photo-video

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Review of the CORE SWX V-Mount batteries

Apr 28, 2018 by Lee Herbet 10 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

In a previous article, I wrote about why I sometimes use V-mount batteries as they allow me to run multiple devices shooting 4K and sometimes even 4K RAW for an entire day on two or three batteries. I decided to go with two different models from CORESWX.

I initially went with two models from SWIT. The smaller SWIT-8320S and the larger SWIT S-8192S. The smaller ones are pretty cool as they are water resistant and shock resistant. Not that I plan on dropping them from two meters onto concrete or leaving them in water, but it’s nice to know that they can take a licking and keep on ticking. The SWIT batteries are also not that pricey, but are V-mount battery standards so it’s a good compromise.

The larger ones have a rather clever way of getting around the 100w limit on batteries that can be carried on in your luggage. They use two 73w batteries that can be separated for air travel but can be combined to form a 146w battery. This can run my Fs5/7 and Atomos monitor for almost two hours.

So, if these SWIT batteries are so solid, clever and well priced, why did I end up using the CORESWX ones more? Read on to find out.

I initially got two Hypercore 98W batteries. I bought these because the price had dropped and they were only $329 AUD, which, for these batteries, is a really good price. A really cool feature of these batteries is a built-in accelerometer. This detects when the battery is not in use and will put it into a type of hibernation mode to save on battery life.

Something to keep in mind with V-mount batteries is that if they completely de-charge this can damage the battery. This means it won’t fully charge again and, in the worst case scenario, it may not charge at all.

The Hypercore 98w feature a d-tap connection, which I use to power my Atomos Shogun and a USB connection, which I don’t use much, but could be used to power something like perhaps an A7sII? Of course you’d need to rig it up, but this could power an Alpha type camera and a 4K monitor the whole day on a single battery. For my setup, I get about two to three hours.

These batteries worked well, but I was keen to try out the Mini 9 models. These are noticeably pricier at $549 AUD, but they are smaller and lighter any other battery in their class that I can find. The size and weight really make a difference. I can fit three of these in the same space that would fit two of the “standard” Hypercore models. They also have the D-tap and USB connectors.

All Hypercore batteries have two ways of telling how much juice is left in them. They have a button the side with four light indicators which is pretty much the same as most batteries. But to go a level further, they also have digital display what shows hours and minutes left on the charger. I’ve found this to be pretty accurate. I really like how it adjusts depending on use. So it could say 4 hours when you plug it into your camera. As soon as you turn on your monitor, you’re down to 3 hours, and once you start recording you’re down to about 2.5 hours.

So in conclusion, yes some of them cost about as much as a small camera or lens and I need at least two to get them through a day, so the way I work I have three to be on the safe side. But, despite the cost, these batteries are great, I love how I can carry two to three batteries for a day of shooting instead of five or six. It’s also not just the carrying the batteries around, it’s also the fact that I don’t have stop my creative flow to change batteries. Definitely worth the purchase.

I would like to add that I still have the SWIT batteries and use those to power my lights, for shoots that don’t have power for us.

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

The Core SWX Powerbase Edge wants to power all of your photo and video devices on location Portable power – Everything you ever needed to know about V-Mount batteries Here are the dangers of using 26V V-Mount batteries Leaked images hint on new DJI foldable core drone design

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: batteries, Hypercore, SWIT, V-lock

Lee Herbet: from diyphotography.net

About Lee Herbet

Lee Herbet is a visual storyteller.He is the founder of Capture.ink, which has helped some of the biggest brands in the world tell their stories.He runs workshops all over the globe sharing his knowledge on visual storytelling. He also writes for a number of online sites on the topics of video production and editing.

« Think your photos are Instagram-worthy? Ask BBC Tomorrow’s World AI chat-bot for analysis
Flash Duration: what you need to know and why you need to know it »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Here’s a bullet time video booth you can build yourself
  • Ricoh has discontinued the HD PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2AL Limited silver lens
  • This “stellar flower” unravels the twilight’s evolution in 360 degrees
  • Strobes vs Continuous LEDs – Which is right for you?
  • Wave goodbye to Apple’s My Photo Stream next month

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy