I bought this Progo 2 battery kit
<http://www.amazon.com/Progo-Battery-Charger-Olympus-1600mAh/product-reviews/B00AWVG0J2/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1>
which looks pretty much like the Wasabi 2 battery kit
<http://www.amazon.com/Wasabi-Power-Battery-Charger-Olympus/dp/B0084FM5JC/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t>
It costs a buck more but the Progo and Oly batteries and chargers are
fully interchangeable... you can charge either brand in the other's
charger and, AFAIK, the camera reports charge with either. I don't
understand Moose's comment about possibly confusing the Progo and Oly
since the Progo (as seen in the link above) has "Progo" written in bold
white text on the front.
There are only 3 reviews of the Progo 2 battery kit on Amazon. One
gives it 5 stars, same as my view. The others I don't understand
because they don't sound like the same product I have. One guy
complains about having to twiddle with the chargers contacts to position
them correctly for the battery. Eh? My Progo charger's contacts don't
move, are in the correct position for Oly batteries and I actually *much
prefer* the Progo charger to the Oly charger... it's smaller and
lighter, doesn't need a power cord (unless you want to charge it in the
car) and the battery clicks into place much more securely than the Oly.
So, this kit gives you the dual charging option but with no
requirement that you actually carry both chargers.
The battery to be avoided on Amazon is the "EZO Power". More expensive
and the two I bought both failed within 3 months. The company replaced
them but I haven't had them long enough to verify that the replacements
are actually good for the long term.
Batteries are now so expensive that I've given up on my warnings of
possible fire/explosion hazards especially if the battery is fully
compatible with the OEM charger. The fire/explosion hazard is there
from accidental short circuit or when charging if the charger doesn't
throttle back and quit when the battery is full. Since the Progos
apparently talk to the Oly charger I consider them safe.
Chuck Norcutt
Chuck Norcutt
On 9/16/2013 1:11 AM, Moose wrote:
> On 9/15/2013 9:03 PM, Paul Braun wrote:
>> Thanks. I just remember a bunch of emails back and forth.
>>
>> So, between the Progo and the Wasabi, which is your preferred?
>
> I would go for the Wasabis, only for the parallel charging option. Otherwise,
> it seems to me the two brands are the same
> in performance. That the Progo reports remaining life correctly in the
> viewfinder, if true, might be important to some.
> As I said, it's a non issue for me.
>
> That the Progo looks like the Oly, and might get confused with it in the heat
> of 'battle' also might mitigate in favor
> of the black Wasabis. The two pack with single charger is particularly cost
> efficient.
>
> Charged Up Moose
>
--
_________________________________________________________________
Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
|