http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/ Engadget Comments for Energizer USB clip to charge camcorder / DSLR batteries via USB http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 10:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/
Could work on regular point and shoot/cellphone batteries though, those are usually 3.7V]]>Jul 1st 2009 1:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 10:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 11:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 11:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 10:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 10:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 10:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 10:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 10:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 10:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 10:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 10:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 10:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/
Judging from the looks of the clamp, notice the LED and the thickness of the green part, and the fact that it says it's a USB based charger designed to charge 7.4V batteries it strikes me as pretty damned obvious that the charger has some sort of control circuitry and the required circuits to ramp up the standard 5V to the ~8.5V needed to fully charge this battery.]]>Jul 1st 2009 11:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/
God, I hope so. Last time I heard, a song costs $80,000.

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/06/riaa-jury-slaps-2-million-fine-on-jammie-thomas/

]]>Jul 1st 2009 10:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 2nd 2009 9:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/
About the only thing they're good for is if you forgot your normal charger somewhere, or want to charge a spare mobile battery. Otherwise, they're not worth it.]]>Jul 1st 2009 11:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 11:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/
http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15264

it works - for cell phone batteries, i haven't tried it on anything else
]]>Jul 1st 2009 11:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/

The Enegizer charger depicted here is the EXACT same charger DX sells for $2!
Same shape, same color, same key chain, same adjustable prongs.. so who's copying who? cheap china shop that have been selling this charger since August 2008 or Enegizer which has just announced it? :p

On a side note, since this charger is available at DX for $2, including free world wide shipping, what do you think Enegizer is gonna sell it for? $20 plus shipping and handling?]]>Jul 1st 2009 11:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 2nd 2009 3:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/]]>Jul 1st 2009 11:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 11:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/I found one on ebay 3-4 months ago, but it also had a SD memory card reader
at the other end as well. That unit was kinda clunky though. ]]>Jul 10th 2009 10:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/
Is it just me, that the clips resembles eerily to a snake, where its jaw opens, with 2 venomous fangs sticking out? (from the left pic)]]>Jul 1st 2009 2:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 2nd 2009 12:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 2:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.gearlog.com/2009/06/energizer_unveils_energi_to_go.php
"As you've certainly discovered, mobile electronics can go through a lot of power and there's not always an outlet around when you need one."
-----------
That's why sane manufacturers make devices that take removable batteries - which often sell for less than overpriced, bulky accessories.]]>Jul 1st 2009 3:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/Jul 1st 2009 7:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/energizer-usb-clip-to-charge-camcorder-dslr-batteries-via-usb/
1) I needed a larger battery to take advantage of the 7 hours of HQ recording the camera is capable of, and

2) I needed an external charger for the batteries so I would not have to plug the camera in, unused, for hours at a time while the battery charged.

I selected the largest available "P" series battery, and purchased both the battery and this charger through Amazon.

The charger is well made, compact, and features a power prong that folds sideways into the body, which is excellent for portability. I found that the charger and a spare battery fit perfectly into the side compartment of the camera bag I purchased with my camcorder.

Being able to charge one battery while using the other in the camera has freed me from the downtime and inconvenience I had experienced prior.

The problem I have with this charger is a poor choice on Sony's part with regards to charge indication. The instruction manual has a chart for each P Series battery, and lists the approximate "normal" charge time and "full" charge time. The difference seems to be that the "normal" charge is mostly -- but not fully -- charged.

The manual states that when you insert a battery and plug the charger in, the indicator light will come on. When "normal" charging is complete, the indicator light goes off. The kicker is that to achieve a "full" charge, the manual says to leave the battery charging for about an hour after the indicator light has turned off. There is no additional visual cue to tell you when or if a "full" charge has been achieved. You essentially have to guess when the battery is fully charged.

I would rather have seen a product with multiple indicator lights, or at least with "flash codes" for the single indicator light so you have a way of distinguishing if the battery is currently charging, and if the charge is "mostly done," or complete and full.

That being said, the unit does get the job done and free you to film while your backup is charging. The battery is usable after the charge light goes off, even if it does not have the maximum life. If you are in the habit of charging your battery overnight, then you can probably be assured that the battery will have a full charge in the morning, even if the charger won't tell you. Other than what some may consider to be a nit-picking gripe, I have no complaints.]]>Sep 14th 2009 8:43AM