Topic: Tascam DR-2D Battery Life - What's been your experience?

[StarkRavingCalm]

When I first bought my DR-2D last year, I was surprised by how quickly the battery went. I think I got 2.5 hours or so recording in dual mode. ( I do understand that dual recording is a huge drain)
Since then, I've updated the firmware a couple of times and have gotten into the habit of swapping batteries in between sets.

I recently taped a band and decided to see how long it would go before the batteries died.
I taped in dual-mode for 5 straight hours and still had battery life!

I was really surprised as well as pleased. I can now "set it and forget it" in these types of situations.


What has been your experience?

[Gutbucket]

Same.

Thanks for the firmware update Tascam!

[Todd R]

Yep, this weekend I recorded 4 sets of music, totaling about 5 hours, with the DR2d on for at least 6.5 hours.  I meant to change batteries in between but forgot.  No problem at all, still had two bars when I turned it on the next day to transfer, though it very quickly fell to one bar.

[tay666]

Good to know.
Just got a DR-2D and was wondering how well the firmware upgrades worked.

[techgui]

I'm getting around 6 hrs in dual mode.

[tay666]

I just did a quick test using the internal mics, and a set of rechargeables that I have been using for over a year in my camera.
Got about 5.5 hours out of them.
Going to do a second test using my mics and see how much of a difference it makes powering them.

[tay666]

Did another test with another pair of batteries that I have had for over a year now.
Using my mics (powered by the recorder) and in dual mode.
Ran for about 6 hours - 10 minutes.

In other words. Plenty of time for me.
I'll have to swap cards before the batteries die. So I can swap them out at the same time.
That is, when I am at shows that run that long.

[tree]

damn I wonder if I need to upgrade my firmware. I get nowhere near that length with my batteries. I try to change them out every 3 hours at most. I dont run in dual mode though most of the time.

[achtungpop]

Hello !
please are you talking about during life of AA batteries or about the external battery ?
Could someone explain me how to put the new firmware ? i've downloaded it, but how to apply it please ? thx in advance

[dallman]

Hello !
please are you talking about during life of AA batteries or about the external battery ?
Could someone explain me how to put the new firmware ? i've downloaded it, but how to apply it please ? thx in advance

This applies to the short life of internal AA batteries with the original firmware. The later firmware corrected this. Here is the link to the instructions on how to upgrade the firmware which is quite easy:
http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/42/E_DR-2d_RN_vA.pdf