Double Capacity Batteries... legit or fake?

rhyme · Post by **rhyme** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:10 am

http://www.newmp3technology.com/mb504fat.htm

No one seems to sell these except this one firm. Has anyone bought one of these? Are they on the up and up? Do they really provide "double" the capacity?

dirtpriest · Post by **dirtpriest** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:02 am

Try doing a search, I remember someone on this forum has posted about his double-capacity battery before, and I think according to his tests it did run significantly longer.

mikey · Post by **mikey** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:38 am

I get around 8 hours video from mine, is that double than standed battery? (i only used standed battery on and off a couple of times)

RK · Post by RK » Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:53 am

Yeah they are legit, but I'd rather have 2 more standard capacity batteries because double capacity batteries are a bit thicker, and I find that my 504 is already thick enough as it is.

rhyme · Post by **rhyme** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 3:03 am

Ok, so two double capacities + standard should hold me from here to my trip to Fiji

gwynevans · Post by **gwynevans** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 11:10 am

rhyme wrote:Ok, so two double capacities + standard should hold me from here to my trip to Fiji :)

Or one of these might be worth considering... http://www.futureinstore.com/recharge4/index.html - See the thread here - http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?t=3728

PolloLoco · Post by **PolloLoco** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:19 pm

I'd actually recommend an APC mobile power pack. It's similar to the device just listed, but well over double the charge. At 10WH, it has the same charge as 2 extended batteries for the Archos.

Mine's on the way, but I got it because I could also charge my MP3 player, cell phone, and bluetooth headset from the same device.

Also keep in mind that all Li-Ion or Li-Polymer batteries have a limited lifespan from the time they're manufactured. So you're probably better off having one that'll charge multiple devices - rather than several that'll die around the same time, and only charge one device.

The APC mobile power pack costs 60 bucks in the US. After much research, it was the best bang for the buck when comparing price vs. capacity. I bought a 4XAA charger pack - but I don't think the AA's give out enough current to charge most devices adequately.

gwynevans · Post by **gwynevans** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:58 pm

Hmm - as you say, twice the capacity but still nice & small - Cheapest UK price I can see is ┬ú34.18 delivered.

rhyme · Post by **rhyme** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:09 pm

PolloLoco wrote:I'd actually recommend an APC mobile power pack. It's similar to the device just listed, but well over double the charge. At 10WH, it has the same charge as 2 extended batteries for the Archos.

Mine's on the way, but I got it because I could also charge my MP3 player, cell phone, and bluetooth headset from the same device.

Also keep in mind that all Li-Ion or Li-Polymer batteries have a limited lifespan from the time they're manufactured. So you're probably better off having one that'll charge multiple devices - rather than several that'll die around the same time, and only charge one device.

The APC mobile power pack costs 60 bucks in the US. After much research, it was the best bang for the buck when comparing price vs. capacity. I bought a 4XAA charger pack - but I don't think the AA's give out enough current to charge most devices adequately.

Will you let us know how it works? Looks like a solid choice. My only concern is whether or not it provides enough juice to the 504 to continue playing. That is, if the 504 battery drains, and i go to plug this thing in, am I stuck waiting 4 hours to use the 504 again, or will it provide enough power for the unit to turn on and get used.

jazzman · Post by **jazzman** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:40 pm

rhyme wrote:http://www.newmp3technology.com/mb504fat.htm

No one seems to sell these except this one firm. Has anyone bought one of these? Are they on the up and up? Do they really provide "double" the capacity?

Looking at the picture I would not be surprised if they were not the makers of the original Archos Batteries. I think I am going to get one of these myself

PolloLoco · Post by **PolloLoco** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 3:16 pm

rhyme wrote:
PolloLoco wrote:I'd actually recommend an APC mobile power pack. It's similar to the device just listed, but well over double the charge. At 10WH, it has the same charge as 2 extended batteries for the Archos.

Mine's on the way, but I got it because I could also charge my MP3 player, cell phone, and bluetooth headset from the same device.

Also keep in mind that all Li-Ion or Li-Polymer batteries have a limited lifespan from the time they're manufactured. So you're probably better off having one that'll charge multiple devices - rather than several that'll die around the same time, and only charge one device.

The APC mobile power pack costs 60 bucks in the US. After much research, it was the best bang for the buck when comparing price vs. capacity. I bought a 4XAA charger pack - but I don't think the AA's give out enough current to charge most devices adequately.
Will you let us know how it works? Looks like a solid choice. My only concern is whether or not it provides enough juice to the 504 to continue playing. That is, if the 504 battery drains, and i go to plug this thing in, am I stuck waiting 4 hours to use the 504 again, or will it provide enough power for the unit to turn on and get used.

I'll tell you what - I don't think I'll ever intentionally let the Archos run down to zero again, since that's not good for the battery life. BUT, I intend to use this when my Archos is already low. From that I can tell you whether the charge increases, stays the same, or reduces while it's playing and charging at the same time.

However, the APC puts out the same voltage and current as having your Archos plugged into a USB port. So . . . to test whether that's convenient for you - you could do an endurance test and see how long your Archos will run while connected to the USB on your computer. I would expect it to perform no worse with the APC mobile power pack.

Otherwise, I'll let you know how it works when I have both my Archos and the APC. My 504 is in Colorado for warranty repair (static) and the APC mobile power pack is on it's way from the vendor.

mikey · Post by **mikey** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 4:00 am

Id rather carry replacement batteries than the alternatives posted, just slip it on and no dangly recharge things attached

kawiultraman · Post by **kawiultraman** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 3:00 pm

PolloLoco wrote: However, the APC puts out the same voltage and current as having your Archos plugged into a USB port. So . . . to test whether that's convenient for you - you could do an endurance test and see how long your Archos will run while connected to the USB on your computer. I would expect it to perform no worse with the APC mobile power pack.

I think I read in another thread some time ago, that someone was using their Archos in their car using a DC/USB cable. I think the comment they made was that the usage rate was higher than the charge rate, and it would eventually run out of juice. Same may apply for the APC mobile power pack.

All things being equal, I'd rather have a second standard battery, or the extended battery, along on a long flight.

It's kind of nice going on business trips these days an only having to take the charger for the laptop. My archos, ipod nano, samsung blackjack, bluetooth headset, and bluetooth GPS all recharge over the USB ports on the laptop.

DKill_ · Post by **DKill_** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 3:53 pm

I think it's worth to take a look at this thread as it seems that the same question are being asked here.

In the following thread it's not 100% sure if it works or not, but i think this wouldn't work because the packs won't give out enough power to keep it running stand-alone.

Also external chargers are not likely to work as expected, since some of them have an output of 1000mA (1A) or even 2A.
There might be a restriction of 500mA on the Archos USB port, but i wouldn't bet my Archos on it, cause it might fry!

http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?t=3809

roxy99 · Post by **roxy99** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 2:18 pm

RK wrote:Yeah they are legit, but I'd rather have 2 more standard capacity batteries because double capacity batteries are a bit thicker, and I find that my 504 is already thick enough as it is.

Actually Li-ion batteries lifespan is about 2 years maximum regardless of wether its used or not. Hence if you keep a spare and never use it, it will still eventually loose its ability to recharge. So buying a spare is only wise if you plan to use your archos more than 4 hours at a time with video between charges. Therefor swapping batteries when needed. You need to balance the hassle of swapping versus the extra weight of a double capacity battery.

Kip · Post by **Kip** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 4:48 pm

I have had the APC Power Pack for several months now. It can only extend video viewing time of my 604 by another 2 hours or so. It is not as useful as having another battery.

Mako5 · Post by **Mako5** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 1:23 am

DKill_ wrote:
Also external chargers are not likely to work as expected, since some of them have an output of 1000mA (1A) or even 2A.
There might be a restriction of 500mA on the Archos USB port, but i wouldn't bet my Archos on it, cause it might fry!

http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?t=3809

Actually the adapter that comes with the DVR Docking Station is 2A and it charges the Archos much quicker.

Post by **roylovelock** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 3:29 am

Back to the topic..........

I cant see the point in getting a double capacity battery with this http://www.newmp3technology.com/504-battery-kit.htm

Ok it maybe dearer but you get 2 batterys plus an external charger, this should be more than enough playback time for the most hardcore of video fans even with it running at full volume and screen brighness.
Also.... i understand that many players wont fit in their cases with the double capacity batteries, and knowing archos batterys having two of them is better than one big one (just in case of failure which does happen quiet often, ie my 700 went back under recall twice with defective batterys which probo isnt down to archos but a third party).
I have the 604 so i dont have the choice of a larger cap battery but given the choice i think i would opt for the being able to use my protective case every time.
just my 2 pennys worth
roy

PolloLoco · Post by **PolloLoco** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 1:09 pm

Kip wrote:I have had the APC Power Pack for several months now. It can only extend video viewing time of my 604 by another 2 hours or so. It is not as useful as having another battery.

I don't know why yours did so poorly. I did an endurance test yesterday - and had the APC Mobile Power Pack charging the Archos while the Archos played. I got 8.5 hours of movie playback. Assuming my Archos gets the average 4.5 hours of playback - that's almost double the performance.

My method was the following. My Archos was fully charged, I set the volume about 80% with my Grado headphones connected - and the midrange brightness setting. I played the movie "300" on infinite repeat. After the first hour of playback, I connected the APC MPP and checked every 15 minutes to see when my Archos shut off.

To me, the APC MPP is much more useful than a second Archos battery - since I can use it to charge my phone and headset as well. Also - I think the way I charged the device was inefficient. I bet I'll get much better playback time if I run my 504 down, and THEN charge from the Mobile Power Pack. I'm willing to bet I can charge my Archos up from empty twice. That'll be my next test.

Double Capacity Batteries... legit or fake?

Double Capacity Batteries... legit or fake?

Re: Double Capacity Batteries... legit or fake?