Ollieboy

If they're shipping directly from China, there is a good chance they're counterfeit.

BebuLamar

either counterfeit or identical batteries made but not by Nikon order. The manufacturers decided to illegally made extra to sell them themselves.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

You might try calling B&H or Hunt’s. I’ve bought non-OEMs for my Nikon in the past.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I have yet to see a Lithium Ion battery leak...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've used generic batteries in everything with no adverse effects.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Great advice!!!
The ONLY way I would stray and use a generic (Wasabi) battery would be to purchase it from B&H or Adorama.

greigfla

I have owned a lot of cameras and probably three times as many batteries, all of which I bought on line from reputable companies such as Wasabi. All have charged and run just fine, but I would pass on the super-cheap ones out there. I've read countless warnings about non-OEM batteries swelling and ruining your camera. The only time I ever had that happen it WAS an OEM (Olympus). And it was 9 years old. And it didn't take much fiddling to get it out of the camera. I also buy non-OEM printers ink, some of my lenses come from independent companies and almost none of my clothing is Brand Name.

John Maher Loc: Northern Virginia

I believe that it is likely that OEM and non-OEM batteries come off the same production line, possibly in the same production run.

The difference is in the quality control. Those that pass go to OEM. Those that fail (however small the difference) go to another vendor.

I think some failures, like a contaminant in the paste, could void a whole run.

With the OEM, you are defraying the cost of all those rejects. By selling those rejects to another vendor, the manufacturer is recouping some of that loss. A quality production process will make most of those failures very minor. You will get a minimum level of performance in all OEM items. There will probably be some variance in the non-OEM, that is why they cost less.

On the other hand, I believe counterfeiting is deliberate -- and a risk.

In a similar vein, I do buy refurbished products. The second time through the Quality Control check is probably more stringent than the first. They don't want it back again!

ELNikkor

Last month I bought a fully functional D200 for $35, but no battery, CF card, or charger. I didn't want to pay $45 for just the battery, then more for a charger, so I sent off for 2 Powerextra batteries for $20, including the charger, plus $15 for a CF card. Now, for $70, I've got a great camera raring to go. The batteries so far, are working fine. (That camera, with a 10mp CCD, magnesium body, 1/8000 sec top speed, went for $1700 in 2006 dollars new!)

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

To me the battery question is a lot like the copied Speedlites. The OEM does the design, engineering and development and or pays for it all. They charge a high price to cover these costs and fund future development. The third party merely copies this all and charges a fraction of the price in my view. Batteries are probably similar and can be made to various specifications as well. Asia is able to make various quality of products based on the specifications and other requirements from junk to world class. Anyway I support the OEM products for the most part as that is what I choose to do. The fact is that we have more than a choice or two. So your wallet and feelings can guide your decisions.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

I have used Neewer and Watson batteries without a problem. A few years ago I did test the cheaper batteries most likely directly from a China outfit. Of the 8 batteries I bought two would not charge right out of the box, a couple of others seemed to run down to where the camera functions would stop working but it showed about 1/4 charge still on the battery. Since going to non-OEM but still reputable companies I have had no problems. I would rather buy a battery from Neewer or Watson than a 20.00 Nikon battery.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Spend thousands for a camera and save forty bucks on a battery, fine.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Part of the search for non-OEM batteries is due to savings, and yes, I could afford to buy OEM, but part of it is in protest to the manufacturers wanting to charge so much extra for their accessories. I mean if someone can make a perfectly good battery and sell it for 26.00 when the manufacturer wants 70.00 for it just rubs me the wrong way. I would be OK paying more, say 40.00 for an OEM battery given they have to have a few bucks to support their advertising budget etc., but come on, they would sell more of their batteries if they lowered the price and possibly close down some of the companies making non-OEM batteries. I think there just isn't good thought going into what they do with their pricing a lot of times. The inflated price of OEM equipment beyond the camera itself just invites competition from competing companies. Also the fact they have to make a new battery every time they introduce a new camera is just as telling -- they just see how to smack it to the consumer. Nikon did a good job in keeping the same battery for the D750, 800, 810, but that ended and they are back to producing all new batteries for their new models.

John Maher Loc: Northern Virginia

This is a good point.

While I can understand the steep curve in statistical process control and flattening as the requirements progressively become more lax, I do not understand why each camera needs its own battery.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Wow, I guess your thinking is the kind that has moved so much of the world’s manufacturing to China. China that steals intellectual property and uses slave labor so you can save a few dollars...