Sony NP-FM500H 3rd party alternatives...

[dr jim]

Dennis. I have used them in my A700 with no problem. Got roughly 500 exposures from the first charge.
--
Just for fun!

Jim

 

[BertIverson]

I have a pair of these SIDO batteries for my A700. They both work fine so far (2 cycles). I have done no endurance test but casual observation indicates they may be closer to 60-80% capacity of the SONY original. I do know they charge up much faster than the SONY (indicating less capacity). Just thought I would relate my experience.
--
Bert

 

[Corkcampbell]

batteries, they should be (almost) drained and charged more than a couple of times. So, you might see better performance after a couple of more cycles.

 

[EvilOne]

The problem with these 3rd party manufacturers is their motivation.. Batteries and Memory cards have become two of the most disappointing products offered on line from 3rd party manufacturers. The motivation for most of these manufacturers is to make a killing, more than it is to offer great value at a fair price.

Finding a 3rd party manufacturer who is willing to make a great product with great value at a fair price. Besides the voltage regulator found in OEM batteries, there is also the issue of quality control. Quality control offers consistent results. Without it, one battery can be very good while the very next one may not. Most quality manufacturers world wide use 6 sigma quality control, and are ISO certified, ( International Standards Organization ) Its very expensive to get re certified every year that you quality process is being monitored. All this stuff makes for consistent quality. When it is absent, quality fluctuations can vary greatly. I'll pay for the guaranteed quality., Ive found that over the years I can not afford to buy anything too cheap.
--
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.

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[Barry Fitzgerald]

The problem with these 3rd party manufacturers is their motivation..
Batteries and Memory cards have become two of the most disappointing
products offered on line from 3rd party manufacturers. The motivation
for most of these manufacturers is to make a killing, more than it is
to offer great value at a fair price.
Finding a 3rd party manufacturer who is willing to make a great
product with great value at a fair price. Besides the voltage
regulator found in OEM batteries, there is also the issue of quality
control. Quality control offers consistent results. Without it, one
battery can be very good while the very next one may not. Most
quality manufacturers world wide use 6 sigma quality control, and are
ISO certified, ( International Standards Organization ) Its very
expensive to get re certified every year that you quality process is
being monitored. All this stuff makes for consistent quality. When it
is absent, quality fluctuations can vary greatly. I'll pay for the
guaranteed quality., Ive found that over the years I can not afford
to buy anything too cheap.
--

Couple of points here..

On the ISO certification thing, that isn't really much of an indicator. Why?

Well to get it you do need to pass certain criteria..but having worked for a few companies that had it..and in one case taken part in a workforce sabotage of motor car parts destined for Mercedes vehicles (shocked, don't be, they deserved it ;-), cue Robin Hood music), your ISO cert goes flying out the window,

So Mercedes took delivery of thousands of fuel valve switches that didn't work properly, because we didn't make them as they should have been, some missing parts etc. Bottom line, employer forced to change work practises, after Mercedes threatened to drop their contract. Interesting things happen behind the scenes at some companies.

Am I in the habit of doing this, nope, but I supported my fellow workers..and we got the results needed.

I always was a bit of a rebel, but have made sure there is a cause.. ;-)

So far anyway, the sido is working fine for me..no problems..bargain!

 

[EvilOne]

Barry as a Former ISO internal auditor, I can assure you that workers can not circumvent a 6 sigma system because the systems throws out anything 3 sigma above or below the mean, testing can not be altered by humans.. if parts were missing components then these part could have never passes Form, fit and function or FMEA's ( failure modes effect analysis ).. With 6 sigma, every single part is tested... Of course the individual company sets the quality standards of their own company but AS a Former GM auditor I can assure you that Mercedes sends in their own auditors and there is no way that An ISO certified company could pull off what you say. Any part that was missing parts would fall outside the 6 sigma standard. If parts were missing, the test weight would throw up a flag immediately saying the part did not meet the weight and therefor was segregated from the population. If a group of bad parts were sent out, the paper trail would point directly to the culprit. ISO requires certification from supplier, through manufacturing, through shipping, and then receiving by the customer. Not only ISO and 6 sigma, but also SPC ( statistical process control ) is used to verify quality. At least in the auto industry.
--
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.

Visit my Smug Mug Galleries at:
http://evil-twin.smugmug.com/

 

[Barry Fitzgerald]

Barry as a Former ISO internal auditor, I can assure you that workers
can not circumvent a 6 sigma system because the systems throws out
anything 3 sigma above or below the mean, testing can not be altered
by humans.. if parts were missing components then these part could
have never passes Form, fit and function or FMEA's ( failure modes
effect analysis ).. With 6 sigma, every single part is tested... Of
course the individual company sets the quality standards of their own
company but AS a Former GM auditor I can assure you that Mercedes
sends in their own auditors and there is no way that An ISO certified
company could pull off what you say. Any part that was missing parts
would fall outside the 6 sigma standard. If parts were missing, the
test weight would throw up a flag immediately saying the part did not
meet the weight and therefor was segregated from the population. If a
group of bad parts were sent out, the paper trail would point
directly to the culprit. ISO requires certification from supplier,
through manufacturing, through shipping, and then receiving by the
customer. Not only ISO and 6 sigma, but also SPC ( statistical
process control ) is used to verify quality. At least in the auto
industry.

I am sure Mercedes did test them, but I am not telling porkie pies here. I am sure they went to the plant, but they were not always there..

On the line I worked on, we did the testing ourselves, and that explains how they got shipped without getting pulled.

The company is ISO certified. And it can happen..and yes they nearly did lose the contract. Had they had another separate QC area, that did testing independent of the folks on the line, then obviously they would not have got through.

I can assure you, this is a factual event. What level of ISO certification they had, I cannot say..but as we controlled the QC, that was the flaw..this was the only line that did it's own testing..

You could argue that it's not much of a company, and I won't disagree with that. All I will say is that it is a well known euro company of german origin, begins with a B, ends with a U

 

[EvilOne]

I wont argue the point with you Barry but If I came in and audited your company and found that the people making the parts were also responsible for assuring the quality, you would lose your certs... Thats like saying someone could be lax in their responsibilities and they have the ability to be lax and still verify the parts... IM sure Mercedies would see that flaw in an internal audit. Its a curious thing you are saying. This system was designed specifically to take out what you are describing as being the norm. As a facilities manager, how could this person allow this flaw in the quality system... anyway, enough of this.,... Maybe thats why Jaguar, and Lucas have the reputation they have...
--
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.

Visit my Smug Mug Galleries at:
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[BertIverson]

Take it easy guys. We are talking about a cheap camera battery which may or may not be nearly as good as the SONY battery. As long as it does not burst into flames who cares for $18. The 2 SIDO batteries I have stay cool when charging and cool when operating. The OC voltage is 8.3VDC (same as the SONY). The camera's % capacity remaining meter works fine (I'm guessing that the third terminal is a voltage sensing terminal but not sure of that). It would be a different story if we were talking about replacing the camera sensor.
--
Bert

 

[EvilOne]

Take it easy guys. We are talking about a cheap camera battery which
may or may not be nearly as good as the SONY battery. As long as it
does not burst into flames who cares for $18. The 2 SIDO batteries I
have stay cool when charging and cool when operating. The OC voltage
is 8.3VDC (same as the SONY). The camera's % capacity remaining meter
works fine (I'm guessing that the third terminal is a voltage sensing
terminal but not sure of that). It would be a different story if we
were talking about replacing the camera sensor.
--
Bert

--Dont be concerned, Barry and I have agreed to disagree many times... bUrsting into flames is only one issue , how about if it leaks, and you lose your warranty because your not using a genuine Sony Battery... and the leakage destroys your 1500 dollar camera, with no recourse to recover anything. If a non regulated battery heats up, and leaks, It's all over... thats why I always say I cant afford to buy aNYTHING TOO cheap... it just may cost me way too much in the end.
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.

Visit my Smug Mug Galleries at:
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[BertIverson]

Bill

I was just kidding and I agree with you that there are risks with these batteries. I am probably a bit more of a gambler than you and just could not stand the temptation to try these at $18. You can be sure that I'll let the group know if they leak or act up in any way.
--
Bert

 

[callous]

I just got them, ordered a couple weeks ago...

but individualy they work in my Sony A700 but they doesn't work in the battery grip.

It takes about 20 seconds when it will display: Battery [2] for "InfoLithium" battery only
and then it turns off.

Same message when i switch the batteries arround. So, it is not that 1 of them is broken or something. I bet they cannot connect parallel or whatever.

lucky i paid 25 euro's... about 32 dollar incl shipping from Honk Kong so it is not a really waste of money but it is a shame...

this is my link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=220340793886

ps... i did not read all the messeges in this treat, just added this information.