amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I don't shoot with Sony, so can't be specific....

I wouldn't be too concerned about buying a third party, dual battery charger from a reputable dealer like B&H Photo, Adorama or Sterlingtek. They likely have vetted anything they sell and wouldn't offer something that has caused problems.

I'd be more concerned buying one from eBay or other unknown sellers. Amazon might be dicey, too. Even Amazon Direct, not sure they check things out very closely or even track any issues and problems.

I took a look on B&H and see a number of Sony dual battery chargers, as well as third party. But it also depends upon what type battery you need to charge and you didn't specify the camera or battery it uses.

Some of the third party chargers also can be used with 12V car batteries, which might be handy for foreign travel. I think I've seen some solar powered ones, too (though not at B&H, for Sony).

You might also need a power converter from the local household current at your destination, to whatever charger you buy.

I suspect all manufacturers warn about using non-OEM batteries and chargers.... which may or may not be valid. It also might just be a convenient excuse to void a warranty claim! There's some cheap junk out there that might be risky and cause problems. But there also is stuff that's every bit as good as the OEM.... Heck, it might even be made in the same factory. Most camera makers actually out-source their batteries and some of them might be made in the same place, by the same people, the same way and with the same materials!

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I agree, in general, with your comments Allen, especially concerning the better vendors such as B&H. Since there is no way of knowing who makes what, I just don't think it's worth it. Yes, I know I am "wasting" money on Nikon OEM, but I consider it money well wasted. Not only am I risking a camera issue being not covered by warranty, but I am risking not getting what I need if a camera is out-of-commission. For my money, batteries and chargers are a very small expense and something I don't want to spend any time worrying about.

bettis1 Loc: Texas

Redundancy = self confidence and high comfort level. When you have a great deal invested in the big things (trip, cameras, & lenses), why choke on relatively small, but critical items like batteries, chargers, and cards?

Bob

JFleming Loc: Belchertown, Ma

I agree, good advice! With a trip like this don't gamble on a third party charger just to save a couple of bucks, you might be sorry......

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Take an extra battery charged before leaving on a trip always, along with extra memory cards and possibly two chargers. You won't be sorry.

bettis1 Loc: Texas

And just one last piece of advice from me: ALWAYS take the extra battery, charger and card in your carry on luggage. Don't take a chance on your checked luggage being misdirected and you end up with a dead battery in your camera.

Bob

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

Sony just wants you to by there chargers ,I have 3 after market chargers and they just work fine.

Bill_de Loc: US

If you buy a charger that holds two batteries make sure you know what you are getting. My D4s came with a Nikon dual battery charger. It just doesn't charge two at the same time. When one is fully charged it switches to the other.

This setup works great when charging the batteries overnight. It wouldn't help much if you were trying to get them charged during lunch before heading back into the field. In the latter case, two chargers would surely be preferable.

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GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Agree! The Watson charger and batteries work fine plus has a supplied car charger cord for the cigarette lighter. The Watson charger charges Sony batteries as well. I now have 5 batteries for my Sony, so one charger is enough for me (2 came with the camera and 2 came with the Watson charger). However, I could take both if I wanted to charge two at once.

dfrost01 Loc: Princeton, NJ

Thanks for the advice everyone. I spoke to a couple of Sony Artisans as well as the person at the Sony kiosk at B&H. All said the Watson charger is fine. I also like the idea of the car charger. I bought the dual charger for the Watson, but I'm going to bring the Sony charger with me just in case. I appreciate all your comments.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Does that add up????

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

Certainly!!! 2+2=5. Ha ha. I actually BOUGHT an extra Sony battery before I got the Wasabi ones.😝🙃

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Wrong again! 2 and 2 = 22. At least that's what bill collectors tell me. LoL

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

That would be a little bill...none of mine are that small