How about this M8 Battery alternative?

[portocar]

I know everyone warns against cheap third party M8 batteries.

However, I found this company, Empire Scientific, that sells what looks like a good M8 battery alternative. Take a look at the link below:

http://www.empirescientific.com/images/BLI-312.JPG

It is not cheap and you can find it for a starting price of about $45.00 dollars. It also comes with a 1 year warranty.

Has anyone tried this battery? Is it any better than the cheap Ebay batteries?

Thanks

 

[tele_player]

I haven't tried it, it might be fine, or it might just be another battery that doesn't quite work correctly with the Leica and Leica charger.

It may seem petty, but their website is terrible, and listing this battery as appropriate for an M7 doesn't inspire confidence, either. I might be wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's no better than the eBay batteries for under $20.

I've got three eBay batteries, and two Genuine Leica batteries. The eBay batteries work fine, when they decide to play nice, but usually, when the charger says it's full, the battery shows up at 25%, or the camera immediately starts warning.

These batteries aren't rocket science, I wish somebody reputable would offer one that works correctly. $120 for the genuine Leica is shameful.

 

[peterm1]

I have been looking around for alternative batteries too. Its not just that the original ones are so damned expensive, they also seem to be hard to find.

I recently ordered a "mid priced" after-market one on eBay (around $30, and rated at 1800 mAh) and I see that this one is rated at 1900 mAh. Like this the listing for the one I bought also incorrectly says the battery works with the M7.The one I bought was specifically sold with a 2 year warranty too and stated to have high quality, "not standard" cells. Time will tell!) If true and they do not fail like most after market ones are reported to do, at least both of these should each have a bit more "oomph" in terms of stamina than the originals (rated at only 1400 mAh - which I have found begin to run down after only a few dozen shots according to the camera's battery meter.)


I hope someone comes up with an acceptable alternative as its a nightmare to not be able to trust a battery for less than a single day's shooting. It really is a disgrace that Leica put out a camera having such a poor (and ridiculously expensive) battery.

 

[genen]

I got a bad one ...

I got a bad one ...

Last June I decided to order an extra battery for my new M8.2.

I tried the (above noted) battery, the $45 ish price seemed a saving - WRONG!
I wasted the money, after a few uses and charges it went cold dead will not take a charge.
I emailed the above noted company several times for return authorization per their policy on their web site, they never get back with a reply … so I wasted the money.


I ordered a Lieca battery from B&H which has worked great!

 

[achi4]

With all due respect, if you can afford an M8 or an M9 I cannot imagine why you would try to save a few bucks or euro's by not buying the original.
I don't think it's worth the risk

 

[JohnTF]

With all due respect, if you can afford an M8 or an M9 I cannot imagine why you would try to save a few bucks or euro's by not buying the original.
I don't think it's worth the risk

If money always bought you quality in proportion to the tag?

I suppose I should upgrade my garage to a Cadillac garage, and drive the car only on new highways, and then there are those Cadillac wiper blades, oil, and batteries. I gave up trying to find Frank Lloyd Wright paint for my house and bought Sears, (made by Sherwin Williams).

There was a time I only used Kodak printing paper and chemistry.

Perhaps such a priced camera should come with a spare battery as well, I suppose I should be happy they come with a strap.

I have been told by folks who work in camera retail that the mark up on accessory items comes close to 8x, and I have experience with branded camera batteries from other sources which were not only over priced, but the quality was just not there as well, nor the warranty. Biggest local shop sold a spare battery for a $150 Casio for $50 -- which died in two months, and their response was that happens with camera batteries, but they would order another for another $50.

I still do not know why it is so difficult to make and find good batteries for just about anything, as far as I know, Leica does not make batteries, and no one seems to know who makes them?

I suppose I got lucky with a couple of spare batteries (fingers now crossed) for mine, they have performed pretty close to factory, so far, but I have only had them for several years.

Still, if I see some Leica branded batteries at a reduced price-- and have any spare change after sending Leica a few pay checks-- I will consider them.

I do use Swiss watch batteries, the cost $2 more, not 10x, there are times when you get what you pay for, trouble is, determining that in advance.

If I only pony up $1000 for a used M8, then I will feel OK using unbranded batteries.

Regards, John

 

[RichC]

NB: lithium batteries last a LOT longer if stored in the fridge. See my web page http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/r-d1_07.htm (for the R-D1, but the principles still apply)....

 

[MCTuomey]

the pearstone battery is working well for me. takes a full charge, life is equivalent to the OEM battery. it took 2-3 cycles before the pearstone would show its charge properly on the camera's batt status LED.

 

[genen]

With all due respect, if you can afford an M8 or an M9 I cannot imagine why you would try to save a few bucks or euro's by not buying the original.
I don't think it's worth the risk

.....

Last June I decided to order an extra battery for my new M8.2.

I tried the (above noted) battery, the $45 ish price seemed a saving - WRONG!
I wasted the money, after a few uses and charges it went cold dead will not take a charge.
I emailed the above noted company several times for return authorization per their policy on their web site, they never get back with a reply … so I wasted the money.


I ordered a Lieca battery from B&H which has worked great!

______________________________________________
Thanks, The simple truth was Leica battery was out of stock. No dealers had a battery. Needed a battery - as you know battery life during shooting goes down quick. Now, I have seen methods to conserve battery useage e.g. ... turn off LCD playback...

 

[JohnTF]

I have now found some of the generic batteries are not taking a full charge after a few years in the camera bag, which may be due to non use as I keep the batteries that came with the M8 and 9, in the camera so they get the most use. If I need a replacement, I use the spares while the originals recharge.

The battery chargers from the M8 and 9 seem to operate slightly differently with these batteries.

Am interesting in cutting down the variables, perhaps Leica puts the batteries through some sort of quality control procedure to justify their prices?

I will also keep an eye out for some spare Leica branded batteries on the secondary market, but the cheaper batteries have functioned well for several years.

Regards, John

 

[250swb]

The battery chargers from the M8 and 9 seem to operate slightly differently with these batteries.

Its the M9 that reads the battery differently. Aftermarket batteries need to be fully discharged, then recharged for the M9 to read it as 'full'. If it has been half used and not totally exhausted, then recharged, the battery could be fully charged, yet the M9 will still read it as half charged, or whatever.

If you know for sure the battery is full you can ignore the M9's nagging, when it says the battery is low just press 'Set' and carry on. Eventually the camera will realise the battery is still delivering power when it should be discharged and reset's the meter to what the battery actually has in reserve. This is why its impossible to discuss aftermarket batteries for the M8 and M9 in the same breath.

Steve

 

[JohnTF]

Its the M9 that reads the battery differently. Aftermarket batteries need to be fully discharged, then recharged for the M9 to read it as 'full'. If it has been half used and not totally exhausted, then recharged, the battery could be fully charged, yet the M9 will still read it as half charged, or whatever.

If you know for sure the battery is full you can ignore the M9's nagging, when it says the battery is low just press 'Set' and carry on. Eventually the camera will realise the battery is still delivering power when it should be discharged and reset's the meter to what the battery actually has in reserve. This is why its impossible to discuss aftermarket batteries for the M8 and M9 in the same breath.

Steve

Thanks, good info, will type fast, the software is erasing what I type almost as fast as I type it.

Have one more problem battery, but I have two good back ups, so far so good, but both the M8 and 9 seem to be good with battery life.

One is showing low charge after a night in the charger, so will try a bit to rejuvenate it, and then look about with some friends keeping an eye out for spare Leica branded batteries at decent pricing.

The M9 is excellent, but it also makes me appreciate the M8 and am glad there is no long "learning" curve between them.

Regards, John