GoPro Batteries technical questions

[Old Guy on a '08]

Okay,

It's my understanding that the original batteries($14.99 at GoPro) work in the Hero 3 (all editions???) but I see that the GoPro Website list the original batteries at 1100mAh and the new batteries for the Hero 3 ($19.99) at 1050mAh. What up with that???

Next question; has anyone been using the aftermarket batteries available on eBay/Amazon? In particular there is a relatively newcomer in that market that is rated at (a CLAIMED) 1300-1400mAh. (if that's true they ought to give around 28-33% longer service - all other things being equal - which sound like a winner and for less money so win, win!! )
Battery for GoPro on eBay

And then there's one from Vivatar with a claimed output of 1600mAh @ $7.99
http://Vivitar-VIV-GB-PRO-Replacement-Battery Vivitar ougth to be a BRAND NAME that can betrusted???

So, before I jump on board with one of these I'd like to get some opinions. Are these aftermarket jobs any good (they are a lot cheaper)

Some of you engineer type please chime in here.

Thanks

[Jiggles]

Old ones do not fit and I would not trust 3rd party batteries not endorsed by gopro.

Just get the battery bacpac, u get a battery, bacpac, standalone charger, and extra back doors for the camera

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

I would not trust 3rd party batteries not endorsed by gopro.

Nonsense. I bought no name batteries for my s100 and they've been perfect. Canon brand battery is ~40 and the off brands are literally 3 for $12 shipped.

[Jiggles]

The fact that they are offering batteries with 50% more capacity is very suspicious

[himynameisjoe]

Batteries are one of the few things I don't think I'd recommend skimping on. I mean if they decide to leak everywhere, that 20 bucks you saved is gonna cost you a lot more...

[Old Guy on a '08]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Old ones do not fit and I would not trust 3rd party batteries not endorsed by gopro.

Just get the battery bacpac, u get a battery, bacpac, standalone charger, and extra back doors for the camera

And does the old battery bacpac fit the hero 3???

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by Old Guy on a '08

And does the old battery bacpac fit the hero 3???

Y U NO READ MY REVIEW!?

[Old Guy on a '08]

Sure did, but I have CRS!

So, if the old battery pack fits on the 3, and you put one of these 1600mAh Vivitar super duper longer life batteries in the bacpac, you'd get like 2650mAh of power instead of 2150mAh, a 23% increase in batery life or almost 2.5 hours over the assumed 2 hours with a 1050mAh black battery and an 1100mAh old type batery. No I just need to find a deal on a battery bacpac (and paint it black so it doesn't look dorky )

Or do I bite the bullet and get the hero three bacpac which already is black, but I assume wouldn't take the old battery???? Any one have the new Battery BacPac? ( I can find it shipped for $45 on eBay - the old style goes for about $40) And they now have aftermarket batteries for the Hero 3 w/ 1200mAh for $10.99 or a two pack with a wall/car charger for $26.99 (which sound like a deal if you don't mind changing batteries)

[Jiggles]

I seriously doubt that battery will fit in there. Why would gopro not out the highest capacity battery in the camera?

[Old Guy on a '08]

Okay everyone, in your opinion (humble or otherwise), is there any reason to get the hero3 battery bacpac over the old style bacpac, other than color and which battery is takes.

I found a killer deal on a Vivitar 16mAh battery but it's the old style (exact same size as the original so it will fit in the old bacpac) and after talking to a friend who's an electrical engineer, ham radio type, he insure's me that the 1600mAh Vivitar is a legit 1600mAh and should be vastly superior to the 1100mAh gopro.

Looking at Jiggles GoPro Hero3 review pic, the size of the old bacpac appears to be the same in height and width as the Hero3. The main diference being from what I see in photos of both bacpacs is that the old one (HeroHD Hero2bacpac) has three LED indicators where the new one (Hero3 bacpac) has only one but does include a battery charge indicator. It also appears to be a "self contained" unit as it doesn't appear to have space for a removable battery???? I see a picture of it on the web with a battery that appears to be the same size as the “old” battery!!! What up with that????


The color of the old one (silver) looks a little weird with the black of the Hero3 but at least you can charge multiple batteries (one at a time) and host a higher capacity battery to boot.
Anyone want to let a old style bacpac go for cheap???

Thanks to all for the replies to this thread

[Jiggles]

It doesn't have a removeable battery which is lame, but it is smaller and lighter which is awesome and the advantages of an integrated battery.

[Old Guy on a '08]

In the above picture I posted what's the second unit that they show with the Bacpac the doors and the cable???
What's the mAh rating on the Bacpac???

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by Old Guy on a '08

In the above picture I posted what's the second unit that they show with the Bacpac the doors and the cable???
What's the mAh rating on the Bacpac???

Its a cool little case that holds the bacpac, an SD adapter and micro sd card

I believe its 1100mah

[Jiggles]

They are about the same size with the 3 being just a hair bigger and they are the same weight

[Scattcatt]

Did you see the review on that battery? Granted there is only one review on that same Amazon link you posted earlier, but the negative feedback was unsurprising to me personally. I know for my Hero 3 I'm just going to stick with the Hero2 backpacks, they're cheaper and the color difference doesn't bother me at all.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by Scattcatt

Did you see the review on that battery? Granted there is only one review on that same Amazon link you posted earlier, but the negative feedback was unsurprising to me personally. I know for my Hero 3 I'm just going to stick with the Hero2 backpacks, they're cheaper and the color difference doesn't bother me at all.

Lol!

I honestly don't see how they could fit a capacity that size in that small space. 1600mah is almost as big as a cellphone battery and those are huge comparatively.

So, it makes sense that its not getting better battery life.

Also, ugh to that review, my gopro 3 gets about an 1hr 12 mins with 720p 120fps and the gopro 2 is getting 1hr 47mins on 60fps. I wonder if I set the gopro 3 to 60fps if it will get the same battery life

[thisisbenji]

How do you guys feel about off brand battery chargers? I'v always used them for my DSLRs, and they've worked great. I hate having to leave the GoPro plugged into the USB to charger, also it would be easier to charge multiple batteries I think.

[Old Guy on a '08]

Originally Posted by Scattcatt

Did you see the review on that battery? Granted there is only one review on that same Amazon link you posted earlier, but the negative feedback was unsurprising to me personally. I know for my Hero 3 I'm just going to stick with the Hero2 backpacks, they're cheaper and the color difference doesn't bother me at all.

For the price I paid, ($7 shipped) if it gives me as go as the original I'll be happy. Now I need to find a first series battery bacpac.

[Old Guy on a '08]

Originally Posted by thisisbenji

How do you guys feel about off brand battery chargers? I'v always used them for my DSLRs, and they've worked great. I hate having to leave the GoPro plugged into the USB to charger, also it would be easier to charge multiple batteries I think.

I've visited a couple of GoPro Forums and Wasbi seems to be garnering a great reputation, both for the batteris and the chargers.

[thisisbenji]

The Wasabi one actually looks like what I have for my DSLRs, thanks for pointing it out. $24.99 for two batteries and a charger isn't to bad. Love that it comes with a car charger too, I'v always took advantage of that on my other cameras.

[Old Guy on a '08]

Yeap... this the one I'm looking at too.

[Panda]

Originally Posted by Old Guy on a '08

For the price I paid, ($7 shipped) if it gives me as go as the original I'll be happy. Now I need to find a first series battery bacpac.

Hey Old Guy I want to see where you netted out here. I have a GoPro3 and am looking for some additional batteries. If I am reading this right you -

1. Need to either purchase a GoPro3 extended battery or
2. Purchase an old GoPro 2? 1? extended case backing and then aftermarket batteries.

Is that right?

[Old Guy on a '08]

Originally Posted by rPanda

Hey Old Guy I want to see where you netted out here. I have a GoPro3 and am looking for some additional batteries. If I am reading this right you -

1. Need to either purchase a GoPro3 extended battery or
2. Purchase an old GoPro 2? 1? extended case backing and then aftermarket batteries.

Is that right?

If your looking to extend the run time on the GoPro for each shoot, you got it right. GoPro, in a moment of idiotness, doesn't allow you to change the battery in the Hero3 BacPac, it can only be recharged. The Hero2 BacPac on the other hand is compatable with the Hero3 Camera and allows you to change the battery when it runs down. The housing units also allow you to use the Hero2 BacPac on the Hero3 in the "waterproof configuration" or as a skeleton.

I can't help you with the BacPac, but I have WASABI Batteries and Battery/Charger Kits for the Hero 3 that allow you to charge from a 120v Receptacle or from a 12v power outlet. The Wasabi battery is proving to be an excellent replacement for OEM GoPro. I also have a couple of Original GoPro Hero2 Batteries, new in package from GoPro. PM me if I can help you out with either of these.

[Panda]

Awesome thanks for the info! I'll be purchasing a hero2 backpack in the near future.

[Yakaru]

For whatever it is worth I bought the Wasabi batteries for my Contour and so far they've worked wonderfully; of course 3 months isn't that long.

[beninja]

I've had wasabi batteries for my hero for about 6 months now, works perfectly, no complaints.

[Byakkotai]

Just picked up the most recent GoPro battery bacpac (the black integrated one that Jiggles posted above) for my Hero2 at Cycle Gear for $20 - guess it wasn't a typo in the ad.

[LT505]

Originally Posted by Old Guy on a '08

If your looking to extend the run time on the GoPro for each shoot, you got it right. GoPro, in a moment of idiotness, doesn't allow you to change the battery in the Hero3 BacPac, it can only be recharged. The Hero2 BacPac on the other hand is compatable with the Hero3 Camera and allows you to change the battery when it runs down. The housing units also allow you to use the Hero2 BacPac on the Hero3 in the "waterproof configuration" or as a skeleton.

I can't help you with the BacPac, but I have WASABI Batteries and Battery/Charger Kits for the Hero 3 that allow you to charge from a 120v Receptacle or from a 12v power outlet. The Wasabi battery is proving to be an excellent replacement for OEM GoPro. I also have a couple of Original GoPro Hero2 Batteries, new in package from GoPro. PM me if I can help you out with either of these.

Can you use that wasabi charger to charge the OEM battery?

Originally Posted by Byakkotai

Just picked up the most recent GoPro battery bacpac (the black integrated one that Jiggles posted above) for my Hero2 at Cycle Gear for $20 - guess it wasn't a typo in the ad.

Damn I wish I had a cycle gear a little closer to me.