Topic: Flip Ultra HD battery life

[stantheman1976]

Is anyone using a Flip Ultra HD for any applications, home movies or concerts?  What kind of battery life are you getting?  I have the 4GB 1 hour version and with regular AA batteries it will die by the hours end.  Would lithium or rechargeable batteries work better?

[TNJazz]

I have the Ultra and the batteries are internal rechargeable I think?  It lasts about 95 minutes (although it says 2 hours, lol)

[Matt Quinn]

Alkalines will die within 60-70 minutes guaranteed. The rechargeable pack that comes with it will last 90-100 when it is new, but will quickly fade to about an hour. I'd recommend just using alkalines & planning on changing every hour. I do this & have got it down to about 10-15 seconds per battery change. You have to start a new video file at ~ 1 hour anyway, so I usually pair these tasks together.

Always been amazed at the quality these things get. Sample from 9/11/10 here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm-vZlH50XE

[stantheman1976]

I have the 4GB model so the file split doesn't matter for mine. 

I tested with a new set a couple days ago.  Put them in, turned it on and let it go until they died.  I got right at 58 minutes before they gave out.  So at least I know with regular alkalines I can fill it up.  I can get a 30 pack of Rayovacs at Wal Mart for $10 so it's not bad.  I've been recording bands lately that share bills and play for 30-40 minutes each so if I'm recording more than one band I can dump the files onto a laptop between sets.

[TNJazz]

How do you power this thing with alkalines??  Is there a battery compartment?  I feel silly asking this, but I guess I just assumed it was an internal rechargeable battery...

[stantheman1976]

The Ultra HD can be powered by 2 1.5v cells whether it's the battery pack Flip sells or regular alkalines or rechargables.  There's a little lock switch on the bottom and the front piece comes off.