zenagain Loc: Pueblo CO

About 3 years ago I spoke to an employee of a local camera store about 3rd party batteries, afterwards I purchased a double battery charger and 2 Enegon batteries, total cost with tax under $30.00.
I have 2 Nikon DSLR'S & 2 battery grips. both take the same battery. This gave me, 4 Nikon batteries and 2 3rd party.
I don't really need 6 batteries, just wanted to be prepared just in case.
So about 6-8 months later 1 of the 3rd party batteries swelled up and got stuck in my D810, had to have it removed by Mike's Camera, (great people btw).
I contacted the seller and after some very unneeded conversations, they sent me a new one under warranty.
Since then I have only used those a couple times and have never stored a camera with one in it.
Yesterday I decided to check all my batteries and charge a couple, in less than 20 minutes the charger (which is a double 3rd party) started smoking, so that charger and both 3rd party batteries will be deposed off. (Properly).
Now I have 3 non-Nikon lenses, and 5 Nikkors, I love them, they work as they should, and I will continue to use and probably purchase non oem lenses, but, I will be buying a couple Nikon batteries this month at $70.00 each. 7x the cost of the 3rd party ones. But why would a battery cost 7x as much? Just for the Nikon name? I would definitely have to agree they are better. But 7x, makes it hard for people like me (living on disability) to afford a photography addiction.
No real point here, just passing on my experience with Enegon batteries and charger.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Sorry to hear that experience. I have several 3rd party batteries and never had an issue. They are by Vivitar and C S Power.

RoswellAlien

Never used any but camera brand batteries. Piece of mind is worth the cost.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

How does one know that there won't be a freak occurrence of one of theirs swelling?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Two other brands for me.

DavidThompson Loc: Asheville, NC

I was drawn to inexpensive (cheap) batteries (power tools & cameras) various times and invariably one of a pair fails. I’ve decided the hassle is not worth the savings. By the way, I have never had a name brand battery fail within 2 years of purchase.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Don't know nothing about Enegon batteries, but I've been using two 3rd party batteries (Photive) in my Nikon since 2013.
These outlived the original Nikon battery by years. I still use the original Nikon battery charger and that works fine. The original Nikon battery was rated at 1030 mAh's the replacements 1500 mAh's. The replacements hold charge a good bit longer than the originals. Batteries lasting power is determined by the mAh rating.

Not sure why you are using a "double third party" charger instead of the charger that should have come with your original Nikon camera and batteries, but it sounds like the "double third party" (whatever that is) charger may be the culprit. I know that a company that makes batteries will go out of business if their batteries don't work properly. Amazon has them at a 4 1/2 star rating, whatever that's worth. Also, my experience with all battery types is you will occasionally get a bad apple. Your experience is valuable however, and worth noting for reference.

zenagain Loc: Pueblo CO

Double 3rd party charger = a 3rd party charger that charges 2 batteries at one time.
Sorry that is a bit confusing, the way I worded that.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I figure that with all the money I spent on the camera, why go cheap buying 3rd party.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

The manufacturer really appreciates that.

BebuLamar

Actually I would buy the original battery although it's more expensive. If they don't make it any more I would buy the third party battery. In theory a third party battery can be better than OEM battery because the camera manufacturers don't make their batteries any way. But still I would go for the OEM battery. The price isn't all that high any way and I don't have to buy many of them. I have my cameras for more than 8 years and I haven't bought a battery for it yet.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I have five aftermarket batteries plus the original OEM. One aftermarket died after about eight, maybe ten years(?) and I replaced it with another aftermarket one. I do date them when I receive them, but I really don't keep track.
Dating them just lets me know how close they may be to end of life, this one sooner than that one.
So far so good... (But I didn't say that, Murphy might hear me... )

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Sorry about that. I use Wasabi Power and have some several years old-no problems.
There are only a few companies in the world outside China that make battery cells and Wasabi used to advertise that they only used "Japanese made cells".

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I have three power tool batteries dead in a box all OEM from Home Depot.

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

As much as I dislike feeling captive by the corporations, I stick with brand name for camera batteries and ink cartridges. It's born of sad experience and I like the peace of mind.