Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

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MotoFAN
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

wiksters wrote:Honeywell have great lithion ion batteries for saber and the cheap 15.00 nock off tri chem charger on e bay works great.
How much? I do not see any prices on Honeywell web site.
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
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MRFLASHPORT
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MRFLASHPORT »

Try Batteryzone, They make a 3000 mAh battery that lasts for hours! Best batteries on the market today.

Batteryzone.com
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MotoFAN
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

MRFLASHPORT wrote:Try Batteryzone, They make a 3000 mAh battery that lasts for hours! Best batteries on the market today.

Batteryzone.com
It's NiMH and huge. It's not small.
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
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MotoFAN
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

Guys,

How much weights CUTERATE M344L1-D?
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
resqguy911
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by resqguy911 »

MotoFAN wrote:
wiksters wrote:Honeywell have great lithion ion batteries for saber and the cheap 15.00 nock off tri chem charger on e bay works great.
How much? I do not see any prices on Honeywell web site.
http://www.honeywellbatteries.com/H8818-Li.html and they are not cheap, almost $100. They really do shrink the radio though.
"TDMA = digital and same great taste, half the bits"
N4KVE
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by N4KVE »

I use one of these Honeywell batteries, & it works well. However, since it doesn't have the bulge on the bottom left, you must make sure the tri-chem charger [NTN8831A] has the adapter to compensate for this, or the battery will slip out of the charging slot. I realize if the adapter isn't used but the battery is carefully inserted in place, it would work, but the slightest bump will dislodge the battery. However, I have had excellent results with this battery. GARY N4KVE
JRUTA
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by JRUTA »

N4KVE wrote:I use one of these Honeywell batteries, & it works well. However, since it doesn't have the bulge on the bottom left, you must make sure the tri-chem charger [NTN8831A] has the adapter to compensate for this, or the battery will slip out of the charging slot. I realize if the adapter isn't used but the battery is carefully inserted in place, it would work, but the slightest bump will dislodge the battery. However, I have had excellent results with this battery. GARY N4KVE
Not to be a pain, but do you know the exact height of the honeywell batteries without the bump-out? Are they the same height as the cutrate/powerproducts lithiums? ( Which i THINK is 2")

John
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by N4KVE »

I have a Honeywell battery in front of me next to a genuine "M" NTN8818A battery, & both are identical in every way. GARY N4KVE
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by JRUTA »

Thanks Gary,
I'm not sure of the OEM dimensions though. I'm looking for the shortest/lightest/lithium battery possible (preferably without the "bump out") before i begin my band change project. Lots of questions to follow...

Thanks,
John
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by N4KVE »

OK, I found a ruler. 2 3/8 inches tall. GARY N4KVE
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by JRUTA »

Gary,
Thanks for goimg through the trouble!

John
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MotoFAN
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

Hi all!

CUTERATE M344L1-D batteries holds on Astro Saber with some play (backlash) :(

But how about alternatives from PowerProducts and Honeywell? They are the same or no? I don't like this play, it's annoy me.
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
gopher
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by gopher »

funny this pops up today - I bought the li ion saber battery on amazon for 70$
http://www.amazon.com/BATTERY-PACK-Li-I ... B001DERWTE
heres some pics
https://plus.google.com/photos/11773045 ... 9001653921
Its still charging... hope its good
JRUTA
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by JRUTA »

How do you find the fit? (tightness). I want to get one for my soon-to-be radio, I but keep hearing the fit isn't all that great. Still wondering if "Powerproducts" brand fits any better.

John
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by gopher »

checking now, its on the looser side, there is a small bit of play in all 3 axis after its locked in. It is however locked it well, not worried about it falling out. My oem moto battery also has play, but its tighter.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

JRUTA wrote:How do you find the fit? (tightness). I want to get one for my soon-to-be radio, I but keep hearing the fit isn't all that great. Still wondering if "Powerproducts" brand fits any better.
It will play, because it's CUTERATE M344L1-D. Look at pics at G+.
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by JRUTA »

gopher wrote:checking now, its on the looser side, there is a small bit of play in all 3 axis after its locked in. It is however locked it well, not worried about it falling out. My oem moto battery also has play, but its tighter.
Thanks gopher, and Motofan.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Jonathan KC8RYW »

73 DE KC8RYW
Random Motorola Part Number:
SYN1894B - V3m Sprint-branded Battery Cover
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by N4KVE »

My Honeywell fits as tight as a "M" battery. GARY N4KVE
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Tom in D.C. »

I've ordered one of the "new" Cut-Rate lithium batteries and will report on it
shortly after it arrives. I'm wondering how they can go from $72 for a 1900 mAh
unit to $46 for a 2500 mAh. We shall see.
Tom in D.C.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Tom in D.C. »

Here is the report on the "new" Cut Rate lithium ion battery

Rating: 2500 mAh.
Model: M343L3-D

Here's the catch:

Height: 3.25 inches...

...as compared to their other lithium ion unit, which is only two inches in height.

So, for 600 more mAh capacity you have to take a battery that is 1.25 inches taller.
And it also has the standard "bump out" so it fits correctly in the charger.
And it's a lot less expensive than the two-inch battery.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by JRUTA »

Tom, how is the fit? Snug? or does it have "play" as others have reported of Cutrate batteries. I want to order a few.
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Tom in D.C.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Tom in D.C. »

Astro Saber, rocks back and forth a bit, but otherwise okay.
Old Saber 3, not real tight but does not rock back and forth.

All in all, a much better fit than most aftermarket batteries. Can't
tell you anything about performance yet as it's still in the charger
If there's anything remarkable I'll post it.

Regards,
Tom in D.C.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by JRUTA »

Thanks

John
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by JRUTA »

Wow, just got my Cutrate M344L1-D Lithium Ion for my Astro Saber today. Cannot believe how short, and light weight this thing is! And the fit is better than the old NTN8818's I had for it. Very nice!
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

JRUTA wrote:Wow, just got my Cutrate M344L1-D Lithium Ion for my Astro Saber today. Cannot believe how short, and light weight this thing is! And the fit is better than the old NTN8818's I had for it. Very nice!
Strange. All my genuine Saber batts are tight, no any play (I have about 10 from different years). But Cuterate Li-Ion are plays - I've checked 4 of them.
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by JRUTA »

I dunno, maybe I just got lucky. The other batteries I had were used when I got them. Have to see how performance is now.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by sjxts3000 »

MotoFAN wrote:Anybody use CUTERATE M344L1-D longer than year or 1,5 years?
I just bought one and it was defective. Took a full charge, but when I keyed up the radio a few times, the battery would completely go "dead". It's odd...it had a charge, but just went dead and after cycling the power on the radio, it still wouldn't come on. Even after removing/reattaching the battery. The only way I could get the battery work again was if I stuck it in the charger...even if it was for one SECOND. Then I powered the radio on and would come on. Only to have the same thing happen again after a few times of keying up the PTT button. Display would wipe out dead and battery would no longer send power to the radio.

Defective.
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515
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by 515 »

So did you send it back and get a replacement M344L1-D, or go with something else? I'd like that really short one, but if they're likely to have that early shut down issue, maybe this one would be better:
http://www.tac1comms.com/honeywell-h881 ... UMParent=0

Anyone else have any good or bad experiences with the CutRate or PowerProducts short Li-Ion saber batteries?
sjxts3000
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by sjxts3000 »

I sent it back... got a full refund... sold the radio. I'm done with Sabers and their annoyingly large batteries.
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515
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by 515 »

Good to know. Thanks for the update.

Anyone else buy one of those short Power Products or CutRate Li-Ion batteries recently? Do they ever "shut down" prematurely, or did sjxts3000 just happen to get a bad one?
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by sjxts3000 »

515 wrote:Good to know. Thanks for the update.

Anyone else buy one of those short Power Products or CutRate Li-Ion batteries recently? Do they ever "shut down" prematurely, or did sjxts3000 just happen to get a bad one?
FWIW, this happened to me with two different CutRate "shorty" Li-Ion batteries. One on a Systems Saber and the other on an Astro Saber.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Gtaman »

I'm pretty sure I have a cut rate shorty Li-Ion. It shut off early too. It's some over voltage issue with the Saber series that causes it.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by mfdeng5 »

Im on my second set of shortys from CutRate, first 2 lasted 4yrs on my Astro Sabers!! Lotta desk time but still a great battery for good price. Just got 2 more in Oct and seem to be great also?
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515
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by 515 »

So you've never had them shut down prematurely like a few others on here have reported? What charger do you use with them?
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Radio Intelligence Agency »

FYI: Just purchased 2 BP4593LI from CutRate. One was DOA and refused to take a charge. I contacted CutRate via mail and informed them about the problem on hand. They asked a few questions (seemed like a standard response) and after that they went silence. I messured the current on the dead battery which turned out to be 5,3V which is way too low!! Then tried to pulse charge with an adjustable DC PSU from 400milliamps down to 100milliamps. First the current dropped very fast but finally after a while with charging from 400 down to 100 the battery would stay on 6,5V. It then took a full charge in the Impres charger for the very first time and now seems to work just fine.
I gotta say that I´m not satisfied with CutRate and their serious lack of costumer service and professionalism. The batteries also were on backorder after I ordered them and payed for them. They didn´t inform about this on their Website in the first place and I had some combined shipping going down why this really was an irritating delay. For what it´s worth I wouldn´t recommend doing business with them!
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

Not good. Looks like they sold you batteries from 1 year+ storage.
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
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