again, the subject of 3rd party batteries

I participated in a thread here some weeks ago about using non-OEM batteries in our cameras. There are those of you out there who swear by the cheap and plentiful independent batteries, and there are those like me who generally only use OEM batteries. I have been with 4/3 and µ4/3 my entire digital life, and I have had mixed results (at best) with non-Olympus batteries. I also added a non-OEM battery to my circa 2008 Leica D-Lux 4 (Lumix LX3).

I have had independent batteries swell. None of them have lived up to the mAh rating printed on them; even if they perform well, they do not perform as long. The single 3rd party battery I used along with my Leica D-Lux 4 eventually swelled, with modest charging and use over 2 years. The Leica/Panasonic battery was still going strong when I sold the camera in 2012.

I was impressed in the previous thread with the enthusiasm and endorsement that some give to non-Fuji batteries in their X cameras. Being an X70 owner for two months now (love the camera!), and having run the battery dead on one outing, I decided to give in to the insistence of some here that 3rd party batteries, Wasabi in particular, can be just as good as a Fuji-branded battery. I purchased a Wasabi charger and two-battery set for $23 USD.

Both batteries are now charged. Today I tried to slip a sleek black Wasabi BTR-NP95-JWP battery into my X70. Two thirds of the way into the battery compartment the Wasabi became so tightly lodged, that I stopped pushing. I had to squeeze it hard and give a good pull to get it out of the camera. I examined the battery and tried again with the same result. I then tried the second Wasabi battery, achieving the same result. The Fuji battery continues to slide in and out effortlessly. If I ever try to push either of these Wasabi batteries all the way into the camera, neither will come out without drilling a screw into the end of the battery and pulling with pliers. I'm not inclined to do that with a power source!

Oh, and the Wasabi charger feels cheap, very cheap. The battery does not clip in reassuringly while charging. It feels like the NP95 replacement is an afterthought for fitting into this charger. To be fair though, it does charge the batteries.

And a final thought. The Wasabi battery is emblazoned "Premium Cells from Japan" on the front. "Made in China" is printed in smaller text on the back. Just an observation...

So, my journey with non-OEM batteries continues along familiar roads. I don't know what you off-brand enthusiasts are smoking, but I want none of it. I will stick exclusively with OEM batteries in the future.

These batteries and the charger will find their way into the trash today.

Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado, USA
Life is good in the woods