Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

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Nexrad16
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Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Nexrad16 »

Can anyone recommend a good hi-capacity battery for an Astro Saber. Looking for the small type.

pr
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Tom in D.C. »

"High capacity" and "small" are mutually exclusive terms when applied to
Saber batteries. Battery quality these days is all over the place, with the
odds against your finding a good one unless you're ready to pay the money
for a Lithium Ion unit, which of course requires a special charger. With the
LI you can get fairly small and still have pretty good capacity.

I got two small ones from W&W earlier this year at a hamfest and one of
them has quit already, and that's with almost no use and very few charges,
so maybe the best thing to concentrate on is the warranty.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by tvsjr »

Ah W&W... Wiggly and Wobbly, especially Saber batteries.
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515
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by 515 »

It may not be as high capacity as you're looking for, but I'm sold on the NTN8818 lithium ion batteries for Astro Sabers. I've owned two of them at least 5 years, and they're still working good. They are pretty expensive (over $100, if I remember), but they make the radio light and reasonably sized. You'll also need a tri-chem charger, as the standard saber charger won't work on them.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Tom in D.C. »

As I recall it was thirty two bucks for two short batteries.
How can one go wrong?
I found out soon enough.
But, for a change, these two DID fit fine.

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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by DC615 »

Wiggly and Wobbly is right (LMAO)! I bought one of these for my ASTRO Saber and I wish I never did. My radio rebooted so many times it drove me insane. I finally dropped it (the radio stayed on my belt), and that was it for the W&W. The bottom came off, exposing the poorly built internal components. I've always used Multiplier batteries with success. I've had a 4000mah for my XTS for several years and had no problems. I have kept it conditioned with my BMS+ though. I now have a 2700mah Multiplier for my ASTRO Saber and it works great, although it’s not small, but it fits tight.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by motorola_otaku »

+1 for Multiplier. M4593 is the part # for their short battery, and Tessco stocks them. I bought a couple to use with Astro Sabers in an AVA, and even after a year of the worst charging cycles imaginable I can still get a full day's use out of them (note: I don't talk much, but the receive stays pretty busy.)

W&W might as well be Worthless & Worst than Worthless. I bought two of their XTS NiMH batteries once; one almost caught fire in the charger and the other did okay for a few months but lost a cell or shorted internally or did something else stupid and now won't hold a useful charge for more than a couple of hours.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by firemedic »

We use these:

http://www.powerproducts.com/070011B649 ... %2F+MX3000

They are about 1.5" high and require the tri-chem charger or the impress charger. We've been using them for about a year. They are made overseas but so far they have lasted and haven't had any issues with them. The one nice thing is I can leave a spare in the radio bag with my main radio and it will still be pretty close to the main charge even after a month or two. Makes the radio nice and compact and very usable. A little pricey but we buy in quanity and the price comes down some.

Don't know if that would help or not.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Grog »

motorola_otaku wrote:+1 for Multiplier. M4593 is the part # for their short battery, and Tessco stocks them. I bought a couple to use with Astro Sabers in an AVA, and even after a year of the worst charging cycles imaginable I can still get a full day's use out of them (note: I don't talk much, but the receive stays pretty busy.)

For the OP, the 4593 is a 3.25" battery so while it's not the super-short 2" (OEM Li-Ion or NimH that are both over $100) they are shorter and lighter. I have two that I got in Feb 06 and they still work fine, good to toss on a non-secure saber when I want the shortest radio available for a long day of walking.


The Multipler 4593 still fits better on all my sabers than my OEM Impres batteries :lol:
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Nexrad16 »

I purchased one of the Power Products batteries. I'll give that one a try, 119.00. Thanks everyone, thanks Firemedic.

pr
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by N9LLO »

Is that Battery Products really only 1.5" tall like the poster stated? Does it "bump out" or is it straight sided like the Motorola 2 5/8" short saber battery?

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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by SnakeDoc »

I just found this thread, but thought I would add that a link:

http://www.cutratebatteries.com/product ... tery-packs

They have the short Lithium Ion battery for the Astro Saber - BATTERY PACK - 7.2V - 1950 mAH - Li-Ion
for only $76.00.

Bought 2 of them and they work great!!

Joe B
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Nexrad16 »

That's a great price! WOW...
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by resqguy911 »

Should I assume that an AVA is off limits for all the mentioned batteries?
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Tom in D.C. »

Right. The AVA and the SVA will only charge nicad and nickel metal hydride batteries.
You need what's generically called a tri-chem charger to do all three kinds of batteries.

I just got in one of very short LiIon Saber batteries from Cut Rate in Tennessee and it
seems to be everything we all hoped it would be. Can't help but wonder if it's actually
the Motorola version of the 1900 mAh LiIon unit without the Motorola label. Cost was
$82.00 shipped but I now have one of the smallest, truly-almost-pocket-sized Sabers in the
world. I knew the battery would be short but this one actually measures only 2.0 inches in
height. It also has the side "bump out" that makes it fit the drop-in chargers properly,
unlike similar short batteries that don't have the bump out.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by 515 »

What charger are you using with the new Cut Rate LiIon saber battery?

I use the NTN1667 (or NTN8831) with my NTN8818 battery, and while it's a cheap and cheesy charger, it gets the job done. It has a little plastic insert to accept the saber battery without the "bump out".
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by RadioSouth »

Is 'Cut Rate' the manufacturer as well ? That 2" battery is interesting. I've been using the OEM NTN7014 (2 1/2") and that's pretty compact, but only 950 MAh. Over twice the capacity and 1/2" shorter is looking real good. These new chemistries are really nice in downsizing battery size, makes the radio a whole different animal than when used with those beasty 4595's. I've developed a new appreciation for the Saber due to these small batteries (and recently bought a couple more).
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by jban »

Can you use an Impress charger on these?
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Tom in D.C. »

Yes, you can use an Impres charger on any of the three common types of batteries we're all using these days. The charger will not condition the battery; it will just charge it, and if you're using a digital readout on the charger it will just say "Non Impres Battery."
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by jban »

thanks. Found a owners manual and it shows I need adapter # 5887135S01 to charge li-ion AS batteries. Are the contacts different or something
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by akardam »

You probably mean the 5889254E01 insert (the other one you listed appears to be a EU part number and is probably not orderable in the US). The insert is necessary for the "stubby" Saber batteries as they do not have the buldge on the left side of the battery. Note that the above inserts only work in an Impres single unit charger - they do not fit the MUCs.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by jban »

thanks
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

What's exact height of PowerProducts BP4593LI?

Image

1.5 and 2" - it's not the same.
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by jban »

My PowerProducts BP4593LI is 2 inches high to the mark and has worked flawlessly.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

jban wrote:My PowerProducts BP4593LI is 2 inches high to the mark and has worked flawlessly.
Thank you!
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Tom in D.C. »

Cut Rate's price is $76.00
Power Products' is $110.00.
Specs, size, etc. are identical.
Both are Lithium Ion.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Macguyver »

Ditto! $110, Power Products BP4593Li 1900mAh outstanding & fits well; gives meaning to: renewed interest in the Sabers
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

Tom in D.C. wrote:Cut Rate's price is $76.00
Where is it?
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Tom in D.C. »

If you Google the name it's the first one that comes up.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

Tom in D.C. wrote:If you Google the name it's the first one that comes up.
3 first links from Google:

http://www.answers.com/topic/cut-rate
www.fishingtackleunlimited.com
www.cutrateautoparts.com

Could you please post here right link?
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Tom in D.C. »

http://www.cutratebatteries.com/product ... -batteries

This is the site for their Lithium-Ion Saber battery.
For whatever reason my web search is running extremely slow
today on all processing, so you may have a wait for this one to
come up.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

Thank you!
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

Anybody have negative expirience with PowerProducts BP4593LI or Cut-Rate M344L1-D? E.g. short life, etc.?
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Tom in D.C. »

The Cut-Rate 344 Lithium Ion unit is excellent. I now have and use four of them, and it's great that whenever I pick up an old Saber or Astro Saber it's ready to go because the battery does not run down on its own when sitting for a while.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

Tom in D.C. wrote:The Cut-Rate 344 Lithium Ion unit is excellent. I now have and use four of them, and it's great that whenever I pick up an old Saber or Astro Saber it's ready to go because the battery does not run down on its own when sitting for a while.
How longer you use it?
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by mr.syntrx »

Do they charge OK in a single unit IMPRES charger?

I think I'll have to grab one or two. My ASTRO Saber 3 remains my favourite radio, but carrying it with the monster of a HNN9033 IMPRES battery, which is the same size as the radio but twice the weight gets old fast.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by Tom in D.C. »

AFAIK all Impres chargers are tri-chem and thus will charge a lithium-ion battery. If you don't do much transmitting then the short lithium battery is a good item to have and use. My chargers are marked as WPLN4114AR which handles all Saber batteries, plus the APX units with the adapter set into the unit. Astro Sabers are much more manageable when fitted with the short battery, but the best small radio I've found to date is a non-secure standard Saber with the short battery and a short antenna. That's a true pocket radio!
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by motorola_otaku »

Update: I FINALLY got my NTN4593s today after ordering them back in mid-May. Anyone who wants a short OEM Saber battery might want to go ahead and order now because I have a feeling this will be the last production run.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by JRUTA »

Can you post a pic? Curious to see what it looks like with OEM short battery. Thanks.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by motorola_otaku »

JRUTA wrote:Can you post a pic?
Just the battery by itself or attached to a radio?
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

motorola_otaku wrote:Update: I FINALLY got my NTN4593s today after ordering them back in mid-May. Anyone who wants a short OEM Saber battery might want to go ahead and order now because I have a feeling this will be the last production run.
It's the same height as low-profile OEM NiCD battery?
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 »

motorola_otaku wrote:
JRUTA wrote:Can you post a pic?
Just the battery by itself or attached to a radio?
With radio, if you would. Thanks
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by JRUTA »

Hey all, Anyone have a pic of the AS with the ABSOLUTE SHORTEST battery possible? (lithium?) Think I'm about to get one, and wondering just how short i can get the radio to be.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by JRUTA »

Bump
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by chrismoll12 »

My Astro Saber with CutRate lithium battery
Image
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by N9LLO »

Wish they would have made it straight sided without the bump out just like the OEM short Saber battery. It is about an inch shorter than the OEM shorty though.

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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MTS2000des »

I have one on my VHF Saber II non-secure. It's short and stubby, wish it was straight but then I'm glad they are available. FWIW I bought mine in January and it shows 2122mah of capacity. Worth the $76 price.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by JRUTA »

Wow thats a nice size. Thank you for posting the pic.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by MotoFAN »

Anybody use CUTERATE M344L1-D longer than year or 1,5 years?
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
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Re: Astro Saber Small Hi-Capacity Battery Recommend

Post by wiksters »

Honeywell have great lithion ion batteries for saber and the cheap 15.00 nock off tri chem charger on e bay works great.
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