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Hey guys, here is my review of the Core SWX Powerbase Edge Battery.



As I just came back from a trip to Antarctica and I thought I would make a review about it since this battery was probably the most important part of my kit whilst being there.

So in this review I am going to explain what I like and don’t like about it, who I think it is for, and hopefully it can help you decide wether or not to buy it for yourself.

What are you guys using to power your bmpccs ?

Let me know if you have any questions .

Cheers,
Flo

I also like the Core Powerbase Edge as it can give me almost 3 hours of use on the P6K. But there is one big flaw to the unit - the proprietary v-mount quick release and adapter. It is made of plastic and be very careful with it. After a while, the locking mechanism gets weak and the battery can slip off, pulling the cable and could damage your camera's power port. I use the D-tap cable and it happened to me more than twice and good thing is that I was able to catch it before the cable stretched. I also had it on my camera and on a tripod. The quick release lock failed again and my camera almost fell off to the floor. I called their support but I don't think there is a remedy to it because of how it is constructed. Unfortunately it is part of the battery system and proprietary that there is no way to replace it with a better v-mount base and adapter. So just be careful when using the proprietary v-mount QR adapter.

Ellory Yu wrote:I also like the Core Powerbase Edge as it can give me almost 3 hours of use on the P6K. But there is one big flaw to the unit - the proprietary v-mount quick release and adapter. It is made of plastic and be very careful with it. After a while, the locking mechanism gets weak and the battery can slip off, pulling the cable and could damage your camera's power port. I use the D-tap cable and it happened to me more than twice and good thing is that I was able to catch it before the cable stretched. I also had it on my camera and on a tripod. The quick release lock failed again and my camera almost fell off to the floor. I called their support but I don't think there is a remedy to it because of how it is constructed. Unfortunately it is part of the battery system and proprietary that there is no way to replace it with a better v-mount base and adapter. So just be careful when using the proprietary v-mount QR adapter.

IMG_20200221_101632.jpg

That's really good to know .

B&H has this battery on sale until midnight New York time. See first screen capture. The price is US$169 (street price ~$235), and $198 (street price ~$275) with a D-tap cable. Personally, I would want the D-tap cable.

I have never seen a plastic quick release system before, probably for good reason, and Ellory's post above gives me considerable concern. In a recent comment on his YouTube channel, Florent adds that he is finding that his battery/camera "wobbles quite a bit" when the battery is mounted on a fluid head. See second screen capture. That makes this battery's quick release a no-go on a tripod.

At the moment, my sense is that the quick release mechanism should be ignored and that the battery should only be mounted using the 1/4" stud on the other side of the battery. That assumes that the 1/4" stud is itself solidly supported.

I'd appreciate comments from people who are using this battery on whether I'm being overly conservative.

robedge wrote:I've also looked at the Hawk-Woods competitor, which appears to be better built, but their battery ($250) plus fast charger for a single battery ($200) comes to $450. Their standard single charger (VL-L1) does not appear to be available in the U.S. In the U.K., it's GBP120 ex-VAT, or about $155.

Just if someone miss the party:
50Wh Battery Enclosure $110
Charger $18
4x18650 best possible quality cells from some local supplier $20...$25
Some Quick release clamp from ebay/amazon/aliexpress $10...$30
DC to Weipu cable from ebay/amazon/aliexpress $20 (or you can just do DIY cable made of original Pocket4/6K cable kit for free)
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=71520&start=50#p509842
https://lavky.com/radioproektor/

- CNC machined enclosure with build-in Cheese Plate.
- Max 50Wh (capacity depends of installed battery cells and connected device wattage load)
- Output voltage range: 10V min., 14.8V normal, 16.8V max.
- Measured charge time with provided 2A charger = 2 hours
- ON/OFF Switch.
- Built-in balance circuit for uniform and equal charge of each battery cell
- Overcharge protection
- Over discharge protection
- Over current protection
- Short circuit protection
- Voltage meter indicator

Further to the post two up, these are basic specs on the Core Powerbase Edge and the Hawk-Woods Mini V-Lock 50. However, the Hawk-Woods is US$250 and does not come with a charger or cable. The Core has attachment points (see the above post on that), and additional ports that may interest some people:

Core:
Watt Hours: 49
Dimensions: L 5.1" x W 3.6" x Thickness 1.6"
Weight: 1.3lbs

Hawk-Woods:
Watt Hours: 50
Dimensions: L 3.94" x W 2.76" x Thickness 1.38"
Weight: 0.66lbs

robedge wrote:I have never seen a plastic quick release system before, probably for good reason, and Ellory's post above gives me considerable concern.

Just to update, I still use my PowerBase Edge on the P6K. It's a good battery with the only flaw being the plastic quick release. I have a sort-of fix to it which so far is working. It is not to say that I can safely trust that it won't fall off again. My fix was simply take a piece of cardboard (from the backing of a pad of paper), cut and fold it to fit on the front edge of the groove where the plastic latches in. I secure the cardboard with a bit of glue. What the cardboard does is provide some tightness when the quick release latches on it. This gives zero play, cuts down the wobble, and secures the latch tighter than without it.

Here it is with the P6K on a travel tripod (picture taken from my review/test of the 3LT travel tripod and cine fluid head kit).

I'm still using my Gen 1 Juicebox Power. I use batteries for the Sound Devices MixPre3 and BM VideoAssist 12G. Since I tend to be mixing photography and video I haven't run into the ragged edge of battery power enough to try something different. What I need is a magical battery solution that can support multiple devices...

Dmitry, your solution gave me a headache just looking at it...I'd definitely pay to not have to source pieces much less the ensuing trouble-shooting after I put it together to figure out what I messed up...

Chris Leutger wrote:I'm still using my Gen 1 Juicebox Power. I use batteries for the Sound Devices MixPre3 and BM VideoAssist 12G. Since I tend to be mixing photography and video I haven't run into the ragged edge of battery power enough to try something different. What I need is a magical battery solution that can support multiple devices...

Dmitry, your solution gave me a headache just looking at it...I'd definitely pay to not have to source pieces much less the ensuing trouble-shooting after I put it together to figure out what I messed up...

If you feel that put battery cells inside battery holder and close the cap is very complicated task, i can only imagine how did you change batteries in TV remote control

I decided to pass on the 24 hour B&H offer. I’m probably going to order a Hawk-Woods Mini V-Lok 50Wh. For my purposes, the smaller dimensions and significantly lighter weight are worth the extra cost.

I made this spreadsheet to get a general impression of what the options are for V-Mount batteries of 100Wh or less. It is far from exhaustive, in particular at ~100Wh. I just wanted to get a sense of weights, dimensions, warranty periods and price. The Core SWX NANO Micro is new and only available for pre-order. Specifications are from B&H’s web site.

I came across Core SWX's new NANO Micro 98Wh this morning. With a Pocket 4K, the battery should provide somewhere between 5 and 6 hours of runtime. I wasn't able to find a warranty period, but I suspect that it will be longer than for Core's Powerbase batteries.

However, I continue to like the fact that the. weight and size of Hawk-Woods's Mini V-Lok 50Wh make it very flexible. It could easily be used from a coat pocket, belt or tripod mount. D-Tap to DC-in cables of the right length are readily available off the shelf.

Updated October 1:

Florent Piovesan wrote:Hey guys, here is my review of the Core SWX Powerbase Edge Battery.

As I just came back from a trip to Antarctica and I thought I would make a review about it since this battery was probably the most important part of my kit whilst being there.

So in this review I am going to explain what I like and don’t like about it, who I think it is for, and hopefully it can help you decide wether or not to buy it for yourself.

What are you guys using to power your bmpccs ?

Let me know if you have any questions .

Cheers,
Flo

Another great review. Lately I've been adding the PD Movie follow focus and Ikan's V-Mount plate and rod mount behind the camera for the 150 watt batteries I already own. Do you also rig up with batteries behind the camera or do you stick to using the powerbase?

Dmitry Shijan wrote:

Chris Leutger wrote:
If you feel that put battery cells inside battery holder and close the cap is very complicated task, i can only imagine how did you change batteries in TV remote control

I meant sourcing all that stuff and making sure I got all the right items, then losing some of them as they come in the mail at different times, then six months later wondering what all that stuff in the corner is for. And yes, I don't even have a remote. Oh wait, I don't have a TV. That's where that remote went. Recently I lost the charger for the Juicebox for about two weeks. Too many camera bags for different trips.

Rob - I'm with you on getting the Hawks Woods. These days I mount my camera on top of my MixPre so offloading the battery would mean that I would want something as small as possible.

Chris Leutger wrote:
I don't even have a remote. Oh wait, I don't have a TV.
...

Rob - I'm with you on getting the Hawks Woods. These days I mount my camera on top of my MixPre so offloading the battery would mean that I would want something as small as possible.

Not sure which battery you're talking about offloading. An observation, although it may have nothing to do with what you're talking about...

Some people who have powered both a Pocket camera and a monitor/recorder from a single battery have run into electrical problems. With that caveat (I have not properly researched the problem), powering both the camera and your MixPre from one battery is theoretically attractive for your setup.

Although the Hawk-Woods has only one D-Tap port, there are breakout plates and boxes, including from Hawk-Woods, that could do this. Also, earlier today I saw a B&H customer review that talks specifically about using a D-Tap to USB-C cable to power a MixPre-6 ii.

Whether this is economically attractive is another matter. When I've mounted my Pocket 4K on top of my MixPre with its Sony L-series battery sled, the battery is out of the way and I get lots of audio recording runtime. I have a very svelte Mophie that will power my MixPre, but I rarely use it for that because using the MixPre's Sony L-series sled is simpler.

I don't have a TV either, and haven't for several years. What's a remote?

The B&H review that I mentioned above is the first review for this cable: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... _c_30.html

What's a TV?

Ryan Earl wrote:
Another great review. Lately I've been adding the PD Movie follow focus and Ikan's V-Mount plate and rod mount behind the camera for the 150 watt batteries I already own. Do you also rig up with batteries behind the camera or do you stick to using the powerbase?

No doubt Florent will respond personally when he has a minute.

He says in the review video that he normally uses Canon LP-E6N batteries, and explains that he purchased the 49Wh Core SWX Powerbase EDGE for reasons relating to his Antarctica project. In his latest videos, shot in France, there is footage from which it's clear that he was shooting with the Canons.

I also use Canon batteries, but I'm getting into a project for which I'm considering, as Florent did, a compact V-Mount as well. It would be interesting to know whether, on his trip to France, he brought along/used the Core SWX Powerbase EDGE.

By offloading, I meant mounting the battery somewhere other than under the camera which is where the Core Powerbase wants to be. If I can't mount it there, then I need to put it somewhere else like on a clip that attaches to the leg of the tripod. Found this at B&H:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/204182-REG/Anton_Bauer_POWERTAP_MULTI_PowerTap_Multi.html/reviews

So would I be able to get an Anton Bauer battery and this and the requisite cables and power everything? It can't be that easy, right?

Chris Leutger wrote:By offloading, I meant mounting the battery somewhere other than under the camera which is where the Core Powerbase wants to be. If I can't mount it there, then I need to put it somewhere else like on a clip that attaches to the leg of the tripod. Found this at B&H:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/204182-REG/Anton_Bauer_POWERTAP_MULTI_PowerTap_Multi.html/reviews

So would I be able to get an Anton Bauer battery and this and the requisite cables and power everything? It can't be that easy, right?

My only suggestion is that I think that anyone who wants to power a Pocket and other devices with a single battery should read about the electrical issues that people have run into. Maybe start with a search for "ground loop". As I mentioned above, I know that some people have had problems, but I haven't researched this in any detail. I don't know whether there is a real, unavoidable issue or whether it's a matter of people making poor electrical choices.

robedge wrote:My only suggestion is that I think that anyone who wants to power a Pocket and other devices with a single battery should read about the electrical issues that people have run into. Maybe start with a search for "ground loop".

I've never personally had issues with ground loops, I have been powering multiple Blackmagic cameras and other items from a Blueshape or IDX V-Mount since 2014. I don't use them along with internal batteries.

Ryan Earl wrote:I have been powering multiple Blackmagic cameras and other items from a Blueshape or IDX V-Mount since 2014. I don't use them along with internal batteries.

Good point. Probably worth noting Blackmagic's advice on custom power solutions and internal Canon LP-E6 batteries. From the Pocket 4K/6K User Manual, see especially bullet #5:

Chris Leutger wrote:
Rob - I'm with you on getting the Hawks Woods. These days I mount my camera on top of my MixPre so offloading the battery would mean that I would want something as small as possible.

I went ahead and ordered the Hawk-Woods Mini V-Lok 50Wh. A $40-$80 D-Tap charger will work, but I decided on Hawk-Woods's own "fast charger". Also ordered a Blueshape 39" (1m) D-Tap to Pocket 4K power cable. Kondor Blue makes a 48" (1.2m) cable, but for me that's a bit too long. There are also coiled cables available, but for this I prefer a straight cable. I should have the components by Monday, and I'll post my impressions once I see how they work out.

This table, which I also posted above, shows the battery's specs in relation to a number of others under 100Wh:




:

Further to the above post, photos of the Hawk-Woods 50Wh battery and charger.

Metric battery weight: 300g. Width: 7cm. Height: 10cm. Depth: 3.5cm.
U.S. battery weight: 10.6oz. Width: 2.76". Height: 3.94". Depth: 1.38".