Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/06/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I think, but have no proof, that, like Frank ( the OTHER Frank) suspects, that these HK batteries ( and now the Adorama ones) are leaky batteries that did not pass spec when tested before encapsulation. Further, and this is not as uncommon as some would think, they are encapsulated on the same plastic molding machine, but with a different name plate side, by the same molding company. Thus they look almost 100% the same, save for the name impressions, but are leaky..... so they do not last as long as Leica batteries in the field. Look, these Leica batteries are pretty low volume. To make a plastic injection mold cost around $50-150K a few years ago.... probably more today. For t he return of the sale of a few thousand units, over life, it is not worth a manufacturers' time to be bothered to spend the $$$ to do the mold. If that bothers you, buy the Leica OEM battery, especially if all you need is one spare. If, like Tina and some of the others on this list, several batteries are necessary for whatever reason, including pure fear of inability to charge a battery, then buy HK/Adorama. Like Tina said, for 10-15 batteries from Leica you would spend $2200-2500. >From HK, about $225. It is a personal choice........ BTW, incredible as it seems to me, Leica recently RAISED the list price by $25 each..... Frank Filippone red735i at earthlink.net For my M9, I got two from Adorama, Flashpoint brand. I went to use on that had been charged on arrival but not yet used. It has sat on a shelf for about three weeks, and was flat as a fritter.