Kastar 2 Pack Battery and LCD Dual Fast Charger for Sony NP-F980 Pro NP-F970 HDR-AX2000 HDR-FX1 HDR-FX1000 HDR-FX1000E HDR-FX7 HDR-FX7E HVL-20DW HVL-20DW2 HVL-LBPA HVL-ML20

PROS:1) I able to power my Atomos Ninja V monitor/recorder AND send a USB cable to charge my Sony a9 at the same time. Typically what I do is Run my Sony a9 on its Z100 battery, but keep it charging from a USB cable that is coming out of this NP-F980 battery at the same time I am powering my Ninja V. This allows me to continue shooting on my camera when the Ninja's battery dies (as the camera just runs on its battery). Then once I swap out and put a fresh battery in the Ninja V and connect it back to the USB camera, I'm back using the Ninja and charging the camera. I have tested this on several other Sony Alpha camera's and they work. As long as the camera allows charging through it's USB port (USB type A, 5V DC at upto 2.1amps) then it works and you can run/use your Atomos Ninja V at the same time.2) I really like the battery indicators, very simple 0, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% indicator.3) I also charge these batteries up via my portable solar panels, when out on solo wilderness trips for a week or two at a time. VERY handy to be able to charge these batteries directly without the need to carry a separate charger.4) The dual battery charger they give you (for when I am home with AC electricity, is very nicely made. It shows you the percentage from 0-100 in increments of 10% and you can do them individually. There is a 12V DC input on the side for running from DC like a car power port (aka cigarette lighter port), but I have not tested this yet.5) These are very nice quality batteries6) They are a tad lighter than my other NP-F970 batteries (even though they have the extra charging and USB ports with indicator), by 6 grams (these are 10.5oz/296g and my other NP-F970 are 10.7oz/302g).. go figure.7) I have yet to experience an issue with these batteries or charger, but I did have a wierd behavior from one of my LP-E6 batteries from this company and they took care of the issue promptly. So not these batteries perse, but I felt that was an important thing to note, that if I did have issues with these batteries, that Kastar on Amazon would resolve promptly.8) Ultimately these have a very high value to cost, and that is just if you look at the normal uses for an NP-F970/F980 battery. But then the value goes higher due to all of the above and things that go above and beyond what you normally get these batteries for like the level indicator, being able to charge the battery from any 5V DC charger/usb and being able to run things off the USB 5V DC/2.1 amp output, AND at the same time you are drawing power from NP-F connection.CONS1) They are marginally taller than a standard NP-F970 battery by less than 1/2 inch (about the thickness of an average cell phone)2) I didn't find these batteries sooner, or the 10 NP-F970 batteries I have are all the other kind and I only have 2 of these Kastar NP-F980 batteries. I will slowly be giving away my other ones and replacing all with these over time.3) The charging via the micro usb input could be faster, but I understand... at least these have that option to begin with. Maybe they will figure out how to have these batteries do USB-C and PD charge rates.

Small

1. The charger can be used with other types of batteries by swapping battery trays.2. The 7800 mA batteries are a good size, but I was expecting them to run a bit longer than they do before needing recharging.3. The extra input and output ports on the ends of the battery makes them taller than normal.

I love the indicator lights that. tell you how much charge you have left.

I have had these batteries for almost a year. I bout the set because I thought the "fuel" gauge would be a nice feature. Also, the usb port for charging was intriguing. I originally purchased these batteries in order to have a second set to back up my on camera RGB lights. A few months later, I purchased a set of Dracast lights. I though these batteries would have been a great addition to extend the "Run" time of these lights. The problem comes when I install these batteries and try to turn the unit on. These light fixtures require 2 batteries to run. When I hit the "on" button, nothing. I would press the test light on the battery to see the level of charge. Nothing. What seemed to happen is that they are not compatible with the Dracast lights. They would seem to short out once I try to use them. But, luckily, after putting them back into the charger, they would come back to life. I suspect the short comes from the "fuel" gauge or usb port. Something to do with the extra circuitry. I when through all my other batteries and swapped them between each light fixture. This is how I narrowed it down to problem. At least I am able to use them with my first set of lights. When used with the first set of lights, no issues with battery life or performance. Unfortunately I had to purchase additional batteries from a different company. I went with a company that my friend uses. These a plain batteries with no additional circuitry that can cause issues. Such high hopes for the extra features.

All ok

[Original review]: I specifically bought two sets of this product because the advertising claimed that each of the batteries had both input and output ports, allowing each battery to be used as a mobile power bank. However, they sent me four batteries that only had input ports, no output port. Very frustrating and they are going to be returned today.[UPDATED]: After I received the new batteries that had both input and output ports as advertised. My family and I regularly used the batteries for about a month a and we all loved the batteries because they were simple to carry around and recharge in the stand. But then, the battery enclosures started falling apart because they can't survive a very simple drop or fall. One after another, the bottom of the enclosures separated from the top of the enclosures. I started duck taping them together and that worked for a while but eventually, it became unworkable and the batteries could no longer be used. So, 3 stars from me because they are useful but they are not nearly robust enough to survive repeated use by the family.

The battery life is pretty good, but the charger doesn't fit the batteries. Good thing the batteries can charge via USB. Contacted the seller with no response. Waste of money, do not recommend.