Silverrails

I want advice, opinions, Point of View, on this advertised DSLR camera Battery brand. Regarding, is this Battery Non-OEM brand safe to use in my Nikon D3300 DSLR Camera? I have ways used strickly the Nikon brand EN-EL 14a battery as suggested by Nikon.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Good timing! I just ordered the Nikon version of that battery this morning as my old one went belly up after 5 years. That works out to about12 bucks per year. I figure considering the price of the camera that is a small price to pay to feel comfortable with the purchase.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Never heard of it, there are a lot of aftermarket brands out there - I buy Wasabi, others swear by Watson. They are much less cost and some complain they only last about 1/2 as long as OEM - well they cost about 1/3 or less so in the long run they are still cheaper.
Main drawback, if you get a bad one (even happens with OEM) and it leaks and damages the camera the warranty is shot.

Silverrails

Yes I too have only used the "Nikon" brand of the EN-EL14A battery, have you used the "KASTAR" brand of this battery?

repleo Loc: Boston

I recently bought one of this brand for a Leica D-Lux compact. It seems to work fine. A replacement Leica OEM battery costs around $120 - the Kastar was $5. The decision was a no brainer for me.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I have used Kastar batteries with no issues. I have used them on myDSLT's and other cameras.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Like robertjerl I've never heard of them.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

What is the cost for an off brand battery if you have to figure in the cost of a replacement camera if it leaks, swells, or detonates?

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Having used 3rd party for over 20 years only had one leak... an original Sony brand battery! Have used Kastar, no problems, they do not last as long however as Wasabi that I prefer.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

OEM batteries are more expensive BUT will generally outlast off brand batteries in the long run. SO, my advice, stick with the brand, batteries and memory cards are the cheapest accessories you can buy for your camera, buy good ones.

sv3noKin51E

Silverrails, We use Niko, since the camera usually comes with a Nikon battery, Wasabi and Kastar are among the 3rd party lion batteries we use, they're economical, long lasting, and ours have always worked fine. There are several others and all those we've tried, most of them will do the job save you a lot of change, and they won't explode or hurt your camera. Just don't tell the Nikon dealer, it'll hurt their feelings, but it won't void your warranty. Nikon doesn't make Nikon brand batteries. Nikon likes to sell their stuff, and they want you to buy the batteries sure, because they make buggy full of money when you by the Nikon 'name' brand actor. We've never seen nor experienced having a third-party battery explode, leak or otherwise harm one of out camera bodies or battery grip/pack over many years.

When the battery gets down to about 2/3rds discharged, (similar rule of thumb for most lithium-ion devices, like cellphones), remove battery, recharge, check the voltage and keep at room temperature until you need it. If at any time the battery gets too warm, like 'really' too warm to the touch, remove it from the charger or camera body at once, and check the voltage and charge level. Doing lots of bursts cab can heat the battery up. Chargers and batteries can fail, it happens but is rare enough, so someday, you'll need to replace one or the other at some point. This is true for any third party lion battery and charger, whether for Nikon, Canon etc.

In two years we've gone through one complete battery set, and had one charger that worked every day for three years, bite the dust, all of these are units we've used for hours every day. Now, If you're really really of a frugal bend (cheap), and decide to invest in a truckload of el-cheapo 'no-name' at $3 per unit lion batteries from the imaginary yingo-yango-wonkyo ding-ding battert CO, Ltd (never heard of em). Now, that's called, 'pushing your luck.' Always keep an eye on your new batteries regardless of the cost or name brand, and the chargers too. We've had brand name Nikon chargers fail, it's rare but all of them expire sooner or later The cheapest charger is something to be wary of; such no frills units that come with the cheaper deals. There aren't that many lithium battery manufacturers, so if something comes from nowhere, such as 'funky-you' Battaree CO, with 6 battahreees and a charger for only $16.36, consider passing on it. You won't void your warranty, and no one should just leave a lithium battery in your camera body if you aren't going to use it for a month. I test each new battery to see how long they will stay full in a static test once a year. If a fully charged battery isn't used in a week but has gone flat, it's failing, recycle it.

We buy the same tried and true good third party brands; an example, the model type EN-EL4a battery from two different vendors, sold and backed up by Amazon, and use them for three bodies and battery grips, and never have had problems with them. Our cost is about $21 to $25 each, far less than the Nikon at $119. If you like the higher-priced spread, no problem, buy what you like. Over the years, you develop a feeling for what's faux, and what will do the same job at lower cost. Just try to be careful; of the price and deal seems it's too good to be true, it usually is, and probably a situation you might want to pass on. Always test your new batteries with a good multi meter, before and after charging, and when they begin to fail, you won't be caught without a spare. Good luck, and happy shooting.

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

I use the KASTAR EP-6 batteries for Canon. Been using them for over a year with no problems. I have 12 of them(3 camera bodies). I was using Wasabi and had 3 failures in a year, so I switched. I would expect the Nikon-purposed battery to be a good as my Canon versions.

KLambar Loc: New Jersey

I use that brand on my two Nikon cameras without any problems.

Tommy II Loc: Northern Illinois

I wouldn’t. If those off brands leak and ruin your camera, your warranty is gone. Stick with OEM batteries. They last longer and will give you peace of mind.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

Been using KASTAR batteries for years. Big presence on eBay. But I only buy them if KASTAR is the (direct) seller...not from other third parties.
Even good aftermarket brands can be counterfeited.