Opinions on the use of non branded batteries

warrior8 · 08-06-2012, 18:06

I've just bought a new camcorder and looking at getting a spare battery but the genuine Panasonic ones are about £65.

There seem to be a lot of own brand type ones on the market for substantially less and I was wondering what people's views on them.

Can they damage the camcorder etc?

Rich · 08-06-2012, 18:14

I personally wouldn't recommend using cheap no-brand batteries, past experience tells me that they're about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

telman · 08-06-2012, 18:16

I got one off Amazon, works OK. The only difference is you don't get the charge indicator bars on the display but otherwise just the same.

neeeeeeeeeek · 08-06-2012, 18:16

Never had a problem with them, replaced laptop batteries with copied ones and they all worked fine.

Pound shop AA batteries are a different matter, they are all crap!

amy 20 · 08-06-2012, 18:16

I have bought cheaper versions of mobile batteries before and found them not to last as long as the genuine one. I would read the manual or google for info as using another brand battery may void your warranty if any problems. It is recommended that you use same brand.

willman · 08-06-2012, 19:08

I bought some cheaper batteries for my Canon camera, worked fine initlally. A year later they wouldn't hold charge or recharge at all.
Its not too bad if you're conscious of it or using them everyday,but i wasn't so when i took mine on vacation to find i had no sodding batteries except the genuine one in the camera. Fortunately i have an adapter which takes pencil batteries so i got it resolved.

Rich · 08-06-2012, 19:50

I've used cheap Pound shop AA battieries on my Xbox controllers before and they seem to last nearly as long as proper Duracells.

Wodoish!!! · 08-06-2012, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

I personally wouldn't recommend using cheap no-brand batteries, past experience tells me that they're about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

I've used cheap Pound shop AA battieries on my Xbox controllers before and they seem to last nearly as long as proper Duracells.

Make your mind up!

Are they as much use as a chocolate teapot? Or are they nearly as good as duracells?