Worthy Upgrade? SmallRig VB99 PRO vs SmallRig VB 99

[@CadenzFilms]

Hope you get some credit. Just used your link to get the V99, Magnetic USB C and the cable. Thanks for the video. I was going with a Core SWX NANO Micro 98Wh. I do occasionally shoot with a RED, but my main personal camera is an fx3 so the USB power to the camera feature is a plus. Also the speed of the recharge was the overall selling point.

[@jeremyharris8796]

Great setup. Have you tried powering BOTH the Atomos and the camera with the SmallRig V mount battery?

[@kybephotography]

This is very important question to answer.

[@Superjeanmarc]

Invaluable Ray. Thanks for this. Had a regular VB99 failed on me very recently (stopped charging from one day to the other). Wrote smallrig and they will send me a replacement unit. Wish they would send me the pro version.. but hey... :)

[@aleckinch1199]

Ray love yourself channel, you have a very cool tempo & rhythm to your dialogue. Liked sub. Keep the FX3 related vids coming! Sony sold tons of these to a lot of pros and newbys like me, that don't know or understand everything!! Thanks for reviewing this.

[@RayValencia]

Thanks for the sub! Much appreciated. Will do!!

[@CruSh19lo]

Thanks for the review! Super useful!

[@ChecheFigueroaElJoseo]

great video meeennnnnn !! EXITO!!!

[@SeanHarrison]

Good video, thanks. Definetly grabbing the 99 Pro

[@RayValencia]

Thanks. They topped their own battery, and really refined it in the Pro version.

[@TheInZain]

What V mount do you recommend for lights? Don't need fancy USB-C ports, just huge raw power

[@MStoica]

Regarding the original VB, if it splits those 9V, then that means I wouldn’t be able to power both the camera and an external monitor? Since the camera alone requires 8V think… or does that power split only happens on the usb ports? Because normally, for the camera I would use a dummy battery with the d-tap, while for the monitor I would use the dc. Or if I would split the d-tap, to power both the fx3 and the atomos ninja, would that work? Can the d-tap power both at the same time? I think I saw videos where people would power an entire rig from the d-tap (tilta ring + dji rs3 pro + fx3 + atomos ninja v), so I guess it works? On all of the above, I’m referring to the original vb99.

[@RayValencia]

Yes, it was just the USB ports I was explaining about the power split, but they improved that one the new model. Everything else should be good on the original VB. All the voltages are listed on the screen as you plug things into it. The D-Tap provides a ton of power. In some of my other rig videos, you will see me plugging in a D-Tap splitter and running the whole thing off 1 port too.

[@genechez-dv5vg]

How long will the VB99 Pro power your Aputure light?

[@BenPhanStudios]

Cool! Can you power a camera and monitor simultaneously with the original version? Thanks!

[@ThomasDavis5213]

Yes

[@jok7837]

To power a smallhd 5 inch monitor - which port is best to use 12v or 8v out? And what's the best cable from one of these ports to canon Lp6 dummy battery on the monitor?

[@haroldfleckleburgproductions]

Also would love to know!

[@fabian3265]

Just read the manual of the monitor and you known which voltage is the best…

[@burningframes79]

Thank you very much for the informative video.

[@RayValencia]

Thanks for checking it out

[@yankfr]

Following up on my first message about Moman and Andycine and my search for batteries for Greenland, if these new Smallrig batteries indeed provide 20 hours with the FX3, does that mean I could potentially get at least 10 hours on my R5C? (I wouldn’t be powering anything else). This would mean that even though they are heavier than the others, I could take fewer of them and perhaps lighten my pack. Are you still satisfied with this model? I'm really hesitating between Smallrig, Andycine, and Moman, but weight and price are factors for my project. Thanks!

[@ThomasDavis5213]

So is the Usb A where you charge this battery

[@RayValencia]

No, the USB-A is PD output. You charge it with USB-C, D-Tap, or a V-Mount charger.

[@ThomasDavis5213]

@@RayValencia Thank you 👊

[@kybephotography]

Great video> How long would it take to power an FX30 and the Ninja V?

[@SupremeCinema901]

On my FX6 I haven’t gotten to the point where I need v mounts yet.. I have 3 BPU90 batteries that go for like 5 hours each

[@RayValencia]

I work on lots of commercials and large productions that a crew works with my camera. An Audio guy has part on here, the AC has wireless video and Focus Motors, plus the monitor, etc. I’m kind of forced to add more power than an internal battery. I have like 6 of the BPU batteries, that just collect dust, lol!

[@SupremeCinema901]

@@RayValencia I’m trying my best to get where u are 🖤🎬🔥 I’m a one man band rn.. I’m in film school but I haven’t had a chance to be apart of any large production sets yet

[@EmreYazgin]

I just bought one, worked fine for a few hours, then it started to show 0.8W draw even though nothing is hooked up, and also the power button doesn't work when i hold it. It won't turn off the screen. In fact the screen would stay on all the time. Also, the battery loses charge on its own slowly. It says 5 days something battery life left when nothing is plugged in. Anyone experienced this? Any solutions?

[@EmreYazgin]

UPDATE: Smallrig stepped in, they will send a replacement!! Great service!

[@BarefootMediaTV]

i just hooked up my vmount to my fx30 to test how long it could record straight. i got over 3 hours but after like 45 mins my fx30 was making a high pitch squealing noise. Its not noticeable from a few feet away but is that normal with these cameras?

[@RayValencia]

That sounds odd! Not normal to hear any high pitch noise coming from your camera. Hopefully, your fan isn't rattling. Never been dropped? I just got my FX3 back from Sony Pro Support for fixing my wobbly screen (after 3+ years of use), and they also cleaned all the gunk out of my Fan Vents. Could be something as simple as that, or something isnt right internally.

[@BarefootMediaTV]

@@RayValencia no only used it a few times. the fan was on and running smooth but a weird squealing noise. I was assuming it was related to a vmount powering the cam through usbc but ill test again and a post some clips.

[@RayValencia]

What V-mount were you using? I've been using mini v-mounts on this camera for years and haven't had that issue. Let me know when you post the video.

[@BarefootMediaTV]

@@RayValencia the zgcine. i have a 50 and a 99. They dont give me an issue with my a7iv though i dont think its the batteries.

[@RayValencia]

Ok, yeah those batteries work for me too. Hm, Have you tried different cables too? They could make noise if it's powering a 9V camera through a 5V cable. I have some cheap USB-C cables, and I have some that are rated for higher voltage too. If isn't that, it's gotta be something in the camera... 🫣

[@thefreak809]

Hey man, I'm running an A6700 and an Atomos Ninja V as the monitor. Is it safe to connect the Atomos Ninja V to the VB99 D-tap and the A6700 through a Smallrig dummy battery plugged into the 8V port of the VB99? It's getting a bit confusing

[@RayValencia]

It’s all safe with this battery. You have up to 100w Maximum you can output at one time.

[@fabian3265]

Personally wouldn’t use a dummy, I prefer Sony battery in it and power through USB, incase the VB99 fails, the camera won’t turn off since you got the battery still in it, just an extra safety

[@victor.ivanov]

@@fabian3265depends on the importance of that failure and the outdoor temperature - dummy batteries usually allow cameras to run a bit cooler. Here in SE Asia typical temperature is 30+ C, so I’d take dummy battery over a USB-C into camera any day

[@RyanTrent]

Is it true the pro version doesn’t turn off

[@johnbivins]

Thanks, I'm gonna grab a 99 pro this was very useful!

[@victor.ivanov]

Looking at the table with prices I’d rather have two batteries for $120 than one for $280

[@b_cinematographer]

VB99 Battery DEAD after 25 months of use. Although it wasn't used very intensively. The cells are fine, I think they still had an efficiency of around 90% but the electronics failed. And that's the biggest problem. Because the battery itself would probably still be functional. After connecting it to the charger, only the SmallRig inscription is displayed for a moment. It doesn't provide power, it doesn't turn on... I think that for a Vmount Battery this is a poor result compared to the competition. ;(

[@douglasmorazan9172]

Not what the title says.

[@felicebitzer5736]

bro your cable managemend is nasty haha get help

[@nelsonpun]

neewers copycat Mini V Mount Battery is extremely worth it. The cells are solid and its only 100 bucks.

[@Milan-cf1xe]

But people say after some months they loose their power. And i heard from instances from cheap batteries catching fire so i would be extra cautious

[@sam78882]

Is there a software update for those battery

[@RayValencia]

None that I've been told about yet!

[@sam78882]

@@RayValencia you are probably laughing at me but I was laughing at the Chinese Dude that has no idea what he was talking about thinking that he was stupid but when I did what he told me to clock more than 10 times so one VB99 battery version was 1.8 and the other older one was 1.6 but I told him I’ve never ever herd of a software update for a battery for a camera Drone Sony Lens ok I am aware of it . Noe I bought the new CORE NANOX 150 And it’s arriving on Monday where I saw many reviews about it it’s a USA 🇺🇸 based company most of items are made in Japan and minor things in China but I will never buy junk from SmallRig newer has the same as the VB99 for only $119.00 at Amazon where when I bought the SmallRig I paid $279.99 . But I will never touch there junk