As power bank batteries become ever more important for photographers, V-mount versions are essential for those shooting video. Among their arsenal of accessories, Neewer has one that hits the mark: the PS099E.
What Is a V-Mount Battery?
If you are already making videos, or it is something you are considering for the future, then you’ll be thinking about your entire rig and not solely your camera. One consideration will be how you power the range of equipment needed for a successful shoot. The last thing you want is to repeatedly stop working because the batteries run out on one of your lights, then on your camera, shortly followed by the field monitor, and after that, the wireless microphone receiver. This is where a high-powered V-mount battery comes into play because it powers all of them together.
A V-mount battery—sometimes called a V-lock battery—is a battery pack with a V-shaped bayonet fitting that can slide-mount into a bracket. They are easy to fit and remove and can power a multitude of devices, including lights, mics, and cameras. The power can come directly from the battery or, for bigger setups, from the multiple ports on the mounting plate.
Considerations When Buying a V-Mount Battery
There are two things to think about when buying a V-mount battery. The first is the battery’s capacity in watt-hours (Wh). Higher capacity batteries save a lot of hassle by reducing the need to change individual batteries regularly on gear as they run out. Instead, you unmount the single V-mount battery and insert the next, and it runs everything.
V-mount batteries typically come with a much larger capacity than standard power banks, thus also making them a better option for those photographers away from their home base for extended periods. The Neewer PS099E is no exception, boasting a generous 6,800 mAh at 14.5 V, the equivalent of around 99 Wh.
The second consideration is the number and type of ports. Although it is usual to mount the battery to your rig using a plate, that's unnecessary. You can plug your gear directly into the battery.
Many better-quality cameras, though not all, can be powered or at least recharged via their USB-C port, and they can be connected directly to this battery. Also, external camera battery chargers may have a USB-C port, allowing charging from this device.
First Impressions and Specifications
Pleasingly, the Neewer PS990E arrived in a recyclable box with minimal plastic.
The battery is a neat-looking, solid-feeling black plastic unit measuring 3.37” x 2.87” x 2.23” (8.6 cm x 7.3 cm x 5.67 cm). It weighs 20.8 oz (590 g). The case is made from a fireproof material and contains lithium-ion cells. It has textured edges, giving it a non-slip grip.
The battery has an inbuilt management system (BMS) that provides temperature, overcharge, over-discharge, and over-voltage protection, thus greatly reducing the fire risk. It should be noted that Neewer is a reputable manufacturer. Some other products like this on the market don’t comply with the same high safety standards, so be careful if you decide to shop for other brands as cheap copies can catch fire.
It can discharge a maximum of 99 watts. Using it at that rate, it lasts around one hour.
On the top is the power button that activates the battery, although it also has an automatic switch that detects when a device is plugged into it. An OLED display on top shows the battery charge level and the power being delivered or drawn from the input and output ports. A short click of the power button switches between those displays.
It has six ports, including USB-A (output), USB-C (input and output), 2.1mm 8V (output), 2.5mm 12V (output), D-TAP (input and output), plus the BP Charging Port (input and output). The last of those is utilized when using a V-mount plate. All the ports, except for the BP Charging Port, have hinged rubber dust covers.
The USB-C output provides up to 65 W of charging and discharging. From flat, it takes around three hours to charge the battery using that port.
If you are unfamiliar with D-TAP connectors, they are found on batteries like this. It’s a large-capacity port designed to power a range of high-end gear, such as movie cameras, LED lighting rigs, microphones, monitors, etc.
In Use
The battery arrived with more than a 50% charge. After plugging it in, the charge was completed in around 1½ hours using my phone’s high-speed charger feeding into the USB-C port. It was not supplied with a charger.
I ran various instruments from it, not least the Neewer FS 230B video light through the D-TAP feed. I’ll be reviewing that light soon. I ran that for an hour, and there was no discernible drop in brightness nor flickering due to power fluctuations.
All the plugs fit firmly into the various sockets around the battery and are well distributed around the device, giving room to insert and remove plugs. The deeply grooved grips on the side helped me hold the battery securely when plugging and unplugging equipment.
Planning on Flying?
If you intend to fly with this battery, it is less than the 100 Wh maximum and can be carried in hand luggage but not in the hold. However, you must have airline approval before carrying any spare batteries. With all batteries, the terminals should be taped over, or batteries must be in their original packaging to prevent short-circuiting and causing a fire. Check with your airline for any specific requirements before flying with any batteries.
What I Liked and What Could Be Improved
What I Liked
- It’s a robust unit with a smart, professional-looking finish.
- It has built-in BMS safety circuitry.
- It is compact considering the amount of power it provides.
- High-capacity 99 W battery.
- BP/DTap 8 amps supply.
- V-mount fits well and makes it compatible with professional video rigs.
- Multiple input and output terminals, including D-TAP, make it versatile.
- The USB-C terminal means it is also a high-capacity power bank.
- It has a wide range of operating temperatures.
- Simple brown cardboard packaging suitable for storage that is also recyclable.
- Good value.
- Two-year warranty.
What Could Be Improved Next Time?
- This couldn’t be hinged like the other port covers because it would stop the battery from mounting on a plate, but a removable cover for the BP Charging Port would be useful when flying and when working in the field to keep the terminals clean and dry.
In Conclusion
This V-mount battery has far greater capacity than a power bank I bought recently. In time and with technological changes, battery capacity will increase even further.
At current technology levels, I can shoot stills all day with my OM-1 Mark II without changing the battery, and it wasn’t that long ago with older DSLRs that I needed to carry three or four spares with me. However, on an expedition in the wilds, having sufficient power to recharge the camera is a huge benefit and the Neewer PS099E will come into its own.
Also, for powering powerful video lights this battery is a must. This is a useful device and a welcome addition to any kit bag. Perfect? It's pretty close.
