Topic: Tascam DR-2d Extensive Battery Test

[mangis]

Hello,

I just received my new Tascam DR-2d recorder in the mail.  I'm very happy to get it, and wanted to immediately take it out and make recordings.  I hate to bring untested gear into the field, and prefer to spend some time with new equipment before really using it on a project. 

To this end, I ran a series of six tests to find the real battery life while recording various types of files.  As I was doing the test, I kept extensive notes so that I could remember the steps and with the thought that others may be interested in the results.  I used this forum quite a bit before making an informed buying decision, and really learned a lot.  Sharing the results of these tests is one way I feel I can give back.

The link below should work to let you download the pdf or at least view it should you be interested.  It's the first time for me to use google docs and the font was a bit different from the original word document.  At any rate, I have tested the link and it seems to work, so here it is:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0Bz4yuVPcz6CqYzRlMzE3YjAtZjI3OC00Yjk0LTg1MmYtMDE1NjFiMTFiYWFi&hl=en

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0Bz4yuVPcz6CqYzRlMzE3YjAtZjI3OC00Yjk0LTg1MmYtMDE1NjFiMTFiYWFi&hl=en

[flintstone]

Nice to know that the  factory spec for record time is accurate.  thanks!

Interesting that the dual 24/48 recording time (test 3) was longer than the dual 16/44.1 (test 1).  Recording at 24/48 produces 60% more data than recording at 16/44.1, and usually writing more data = using more battery power.  This is why battery life declined to just 3 hours when recording dual 24/96.

Flintstone

[Teen Age Riot]

Very informative first post!
Welcome!

[Gutbucket]

Welcome aboard Mr mangis and thanks for the test and the very nice write up.

If you need much longer, worry-free run times, I've been quite happy using an external 5Vdc battery source.  The one I use is the Energizer xp8000 which is about the same size as the recorder: http://www.energizerpowerpacks.com/vn/products/xp8000/. I've run it for an entire 4 day festival without depleting more than about half the full indicated capacity.  The included power plugs will fit the DR2d, but I built a DIY right angle plug cable from Radio Shack parts and run the power cable along with the two stereo input cables through some tech-flex sheathing for a clean single-cable connection that I gaff tape to the recorder body.  Works very well and fresh batteries in the recorder work as a back-up in case of a power blip from a jostled power cable.

[mangis]

Hi,

Thanks for the comments.

I was happy to learn about that energizer pack for long battery runs.

Just a note to Flintstone  - - battery life is longer than 3 hours with 24 bit 96k recording.  It only recorded for 3 hours 50 min in test 5 because the memory card filled up before the battery juice expired and stopped the recording.  Test 5b shows the battery life of over 5.5 hours at 24 bit 96k with dual recording off so that the memory card could continue for the duration of the test. 

I think it best to get a 32gb card in the future.

I get your point though, and the data shows it to be true.  When recording at a higher resolution battery life is less. 

[eric66]

The manual also speaks about 6 hours with alkaline AA's.
Is this also with a dual recording? Can someone confirm this?

[daspyknows]

The manual also speaks about 6 hours with alkaline AA's.
Is this also with a dual recording? Can someone confirm this?

note what I experienced.  I use Lithiums now and have no concerns for the type of shows I do.  I was getting 3 hrs or less and that didn't work for me. 

[mangis]

I bought a package of lithium energizers and threw them in the bottom of my bag for emergencies.  When such a situation did arise, I loaded them and I still haven't changed them and that is after nearly 5 hours of recording.  Battery meter is still full.  Unit was on a lower setting:  16bit @ 44.1  Did have dual recording ON.

It's unchartered waters for me with these lithiums, so I doubt I'd record any more serious work without swapping them.

Without measuring, I did try several sets of fresh and powerful alkaline batteries, and they did not last long.  I would not use regular alkaline batteries for long recordings.  In fact, I would not use them at all.  It's eneloops or lithium for me, and now I'm looking at 5v battery packs.

The eneloops are working very well for me.

[Will_S]

I consistently get 4.5 hrs out of new alkalines since upgrading to the newest firmware.  Not 6.  Dual 24/44.1.

I get 11 hrs out of Ultimate Lithiums.

[eric66]

Thanks for the answers
So with fresh alkalines it's possible to record most full shows but
it can be tricky :-) Lithium is the safest way to go
There are also a new kind of eneloops, AA Sanyo XX 2500 mAh (Powered by Eneloop).
Anyone tried these or AA Imedion, 2400 mAh (also batteries with same technique)?

[Gutbucket]

AA Imedion, 2400 mAh?

I have them in the recorder as a backup to the external Eveready mentioned earlier.  Have not done a run time test with them alone yet.  Bought them to replace some 3 yr old Imedion 2100mAh which were near the end of their reliable service life and still worked in my R-09s but not in the Dr2d.  Very good low self discharge NiMH batteries IMO.

[eric66]

The Sanyo 2500mAh XX eneloop batteries promise to give 25 percent more than its predecessors,
so maybe 7 or 7,5 hours is possible...
The AA Imedion will probably do the same!

@Gutbucket: it would be great if you can do a test with the AA Imedions one day

[Gutbucket]

I'll try and do that once I get back from Springfest next week.

[eric66]

Thanks in advance and good luck with recording