3rd party K-S2 Batteries

WondringLisa · 04-20-2021, 09:35 AM

I am looking at third party batteries for my K-S2 (official P/N D-LI109) as the last pair I bought have been substandard and really don't keep much charge. I was wondering if anyone can recommend a make that has a good price for the charge/performance?

**pepperberry farm** · 04-20-2021, 09:45 AM

the Watson brand at B&H have served me well...

**marcusBMG** · 04-20-2021, 09:55 AM - **1 Like**

cheap 3rd party brands - its pot luck pretty much all of them use cheap chinese cells, quality unknown. But - they are cheap!

FYI:

Batteries and Chargers - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

Wasabi battery pack rebuild - PentaxForums.com

**DonV** · 04-20-2021, 10:20 AM

I find it tough to tell the difference between OM and the "DSTE" or "Kastar" brands I have bought via eBay and Amazon.
Of course none of my OM batteries were NIB, neither were my cameras.

**jon.partsch** · 04-20-2021, 12:28 PM

Thanks to @marcusBMG for linking to my current battery rebuilding/testing thread!

I have recently done quite a bit of internet research into this. Wasabi packs test terribly and seem to be prone to damage, bulging, short lifespan, and they use no-name internal battery cells of questionable quality. Watson packs have tested better, and teardown videos of Watson packs show that they use name-brand internal cells. These trends are not specific to the replacement packs for the K-S2, but in general for these 3rd party brands of battery packs. At this point, I trust the Watson brand much more.

NoobOnTour · 04-20-2021, 01:36 PM

I got myself a couple of ansmann D-LI109 and iam quite happy with them.

edit: I did no comparison test or anything but I can tell no difference to my pentax ones

Marktax · 04-20-2021, 06:45 PM

I have found NO decent 3rd party batteries. They really are a scam trade.

**jon.partsch** · 04-20-2021, 10:49 PM

Originally posted by Marktax

I have found NO decent 3rd party batteries. They really are a scam trade.

Really? Which ones did you evaluate? What was your method? Can you honestly, confidently make such a general statement?

- Jon

bdery · 04-21-2021, 05:54 AM

Watson, Wasabi, Neewer have all served me well for many years. I have a Watson battery that's the same age as my K-3 (and my daughter) and I can't tell it apart from the OEM.

Marktax · 04-21-2021, 06:20 AM

Originally posted by jon.partsch

Really? Which ones did you evaluate? What was your method? Can you honestly, confidently make such a general statement?

- Jon

Watson and Wasabi. Maybe I'm just having bad luck.

**DonV** · 04-21-2021, 07:36 AM

Originally posted by Marktax

Watson and Wasabi. Maybe I'm just having bad luck.

For the price difference, you might be fair and give DSTE and Kastar a try/chance; they both work well for me.
I have at least 6-8 either Li90 or Li109 sizes, and cannot tell the difference compared with my used Pentax OEM batteries.

Bad Boy · 04-21-2021, 08:21 AM

In 2012 I purchased my K-5 with Pentax battery and an extra 3rd party Flashpoint battery from Adorama. The 3rd party battery worked very well for 3 years then capacity noticeably dropped. I then replaced it with a Pentax battery. Today I am still using the 8 and 5 year old Pentax batteries. One of these Pentax batteries still lasts me for a day of shooting.

For me I keep my equipment for a long time so having a battery that last more than 3 years is worth the extra price.

**jon.partsch** · 04-21-2021, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by Marktax

Watson and Wasabi. Maybe I'm just having bad luck.

There's a fair bit on empirical and anecdotal evidence (if you consider anecdotes to be evidence) that the Watson packs are superior to the Wasabi packs. The Wasabi packs, likely being the most common, have the most written about them. The Watson packs seem to be a house brand of B&H, and B&H has a very good reputation. I am rebuilding some old Wasabi packs and testing one new one in the D-LI90 equivalent size. I have some used Watson packs on the way for testing in the D-LI109 equivalent size. Ultimately though, true quality can only be determined with real scientific testing, including multiple samples, controlled conditions, etc

**DonV** · 04-21-2021, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by jon.partsch

There's a fair bit on empirical and anecdotal evidence (if you consider anecdotes to be evidence) that the Watson packs are superior to the Wasabi packs. The Wasabi packs, likely being the most common, have the most written about them. The Watson packs seem to be a house brand of B&H, and B&H has a very good reputation. I am rebuilding some old Wasabi packs and testing one new one in the D-LI90 equivalent size. I have some used Watson packs on the way for testing in the D-LI109 equivalent size. Ultimately though, true quality can only be determined with real scientific testing, including multiple samples, controlled conditions, etc

Not to mention that the testing is only valid for those samples at that time. Suppliers will change the brand/source of internal cells in their "batteries" without notice- whether due to supply of components or their cost to the assembler for 1000's.

And do "it" without notice to anyone.

**jon.partsch** · 04-21-2021, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by DonV

Not to mention that the testing is only valid for those samples at that time. Suppliers will change the brand/source of internal cells in their "batteries" without notice- whether due to supply of components or their cost to the assembler for 1000's.

And do "it" without notice to anyone.

Yes, very true! One of the knocks against Wasabi, and I am reluctant to say this before I test the new pack I received for testing, is that it seems the mAh capacity stated on their D-LI90 clone is obviously false. It has remained uncorrected for ages, despite numerous tests published here and elsewhere on the internet, and I think that says a lot about the concern that company has for the quality of their product and the level of respect they have for the consumer of their product.

04-20-2021, 09:35 AM	#1
WondringLisa Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 77	3rd party K-S2 Batteries I am looking at third party batteries for my K-S2 (official P/N D-LI109) as the last pair I bought have been substandard and really don't keep much charge. I was wondering if anyone can recommend a make that has a good price for the charge/performance?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
3rd party batteries & iBatteries.co.uk	Cerebum	Pentax DSLR Discussion	35	11-01-2019 09:08 AM
3rd party AC/Car charger for D-Li90 batteries, $6!	mikeSF	Pentax Price Watch	6	04-17-2015 12:41 PM
3rd Party Batteries	Buddha Jones	Pentax Compact Cameras	2	01-03-2009 05:48 AM
K10d 3rd party batteries	ronald_durst	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	9	05-20-2008 12:02 AM

04-20-2021, 09:45 AM	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,660	the Watson brand at B&H have served me well...

04-20-2021, 09:55 AM - 1 Like	#3
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,869	cheap 3rd party brands - its pot luck pretty much all of them use cheap chinese cells, quality unknown. But - they are cheap! FYI: Batteries and Chargers - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database Wasabi battery pack rebuild - PentaxForums.com

04-20-2021, 10:20 AM	#4
DonV Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Near Charlotte NC Photos: Albums Posts: 693	I find it tough to tell the difference between OM and the "DSTE" or "Kastar" brands I have bought via eBay and Amazon. Of course none of my OM batteries were NIB, neither were my cameras.

04-20-2021, 12:28 PM	#5
jon.partsch Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 442	Thanks to @marcusBMG for linking to my current battery rebuilding/testing thread! I have recently done quite a bit of internet research into this. Wasabi packs test terribly and seem to be prone to damage, bulging, short lifespan, and they use no-name internal battery cells of questionable quality. Watson packs have tested better, and teardown videos of Watson packs show that they use name-brand internal cells. These trends are not specific to the replacement packs for the K-S2, but in general for these 3rd party brands of battery packs. At this point, I trust the Watson brand much more.

04-20-2021, 01:36 PM	#6
NoobOnTour Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Troisdorf Posts: 298	I got myself a couple of ansmann D-LI109 and iam quite happy with them. edit: I did no comparison test or anything but I can tell no difference to my pentax ones

04-20-2021, 06:45 PM	#7
Marktax Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Washington DC Photos: Albums Posts: 610	I have found NO decent 3rd party batteries. They really are a scam trade.

04-20-2021, 10:49 PM	#8
jon.partsch Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 442	Originally posted by Marktax I have found NO decent 3rd party batteries. They really are a scam trade. Really? Which ones did you evaluate? What was your method? Can you honestly, confidently make such a general statement? - Jon

04-21-2021, 05:54 AM	#9
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Watson, Wasabi, Neewer have all served me well for many years. I have a Watson battery that's the same age as my K-3 (and my daughter) and I can't tell it apart from the OEM.

04-21-2021, 06:20 AM	#10
Marktax Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Washington DC Photos: Albums Posts: 610	Originally posted by jon.partsch Really? Which ones did you evaluate? What was your method? Can you honestly, confidently make such a general statement? - Jon Watson and Wasabi. Maybe I'm just having bad luck.

04-21-2021, 07:36 AM	#11
DonV Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Near Charlotte NC Photos: Albums Posts: 693	Originally posted by Marktax Watson and Wasabi. Maybe I'm just having bad luck. For the price difference, you might be fair and give DSTE and Kastar a try/chance; they both work well for me. I have at least 6-8 either Li90 or Li109 sizes, and cannot tell the difference compared with my used Pentax OEM batteries.

04-21-2021, 08:21 AM	#12
Bad Boy Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Western Washington State Posts: 41	In 2012 I purchased my K-5 with Pentax battery and an extra 3rd party Flashpoint battery from Adorama. The 3rd party battery worked very well for 3 years then capacity noticeably dropped. I then replaced it with a Pentax battery. Today I am still using the 8 and 5 year old Pentax batteries. One of these Pentax batteries still lasts me for a day of shooting. For me I keep my equipment for a long time so having a battery that last more than 3 years is worth the extra price.

04-21-2021, 08:37 AM	#13
jon.partsch Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 442	Originally posted by Marktax Watson and Wasabi. Maybe I'm just having bad luck. There's a fair bit on empirical and anecdotal evidence (if you consider anecdotes to be evidence) that the Watson packs are superior to the Wasabi packs. The Wasabi packs, likely being the most common, have the most written about them. The Watson packs seem to be a house brand of B&H, and B&H has a very good reputation. I am rebuilding some old Wasabi packs and testing one new one in the D-LI90 equivalent size. I have some used Watson packs on the way for testing in the D-LI109 equivalent size. Ultimately though, true quality can only be determined with real scientific testing, including multiple samples, controlled conditions, etc

04-21-2021, 08:41 AM	#14
DonV Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Near Charlotte NC Photos: Albums Posts: 693	Originally posted by jon.partsch There's a fair bit on empirical and anecdotal evidence (if you consider anecdotes to be evidence) that the Watson packs are superior to the Wasabi packs. The Wasabi packs, likely being the most common, have the most written about them. The Watson packs seem to be a house brand of B&H, and B&H has a very good reputation. I am rebuilding some old Wasabi packs and testing one new one in the D-LI90 equivalent size. I have some used Watson packs on the way for testing in the D-LI109 equivalent size. Ultimately though, true quality can only be determined with real scientific testing, including multiple samples, controlled conditions, etc Not to mention that the testing is only valid for those samples at that time. Suppliers will change the brand/source of internal cells in their "batteries" without notice- whether due to supply of components or their cost to the assembler for 1000's. And do "it" without notice to anyone.

04-21-2021, 08:46 AM	#15
jon.partsch Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 442	Originally posted by DonV Not to mention that the testing is only valid for those samples at that time. Suppliers will change the brand/source of internal cells in their "batteries" without notice- whether due to supply of components or their cost to the assembler for 1000's. And do "it" without notice to anyone. Yes, very true! One of the knocks against Wasabi, and I am reluctant to say this before I test the new pack I received for testing, is that it seems the mAh capacity stated on their D-LI90 clone is obviously false. It has remained uncorrected for ages, despite numerous tests published here and elsewhere on the internet, and I think that says a lot about the concern that company has for the quality of their product and the level of respect they have for the consumer of their product.