Called Sterling Tek and they said .....

I just got off the phone with Sterling Tek concerning their ST52 TWO Canon BP-511 Equivalent and the Canon 50D. They said it won't work in the 50D.

TWO Canon BP-511 2000mAh Battery Pack Equivalent


2 PACK CANON BP511</B> EQUIVALENT BATTERY

REPLACES BP-511, BP-511A, BP-512 WITH35% MORE POWER
2000 mAh
3 Hour Runtime Battery!!!
FOR LESS MONEY!!!!!!!

I don't know if it's the exact model number above, but I've been using sterlingtek 511 equiv in my 50D since day 1. ( i had it from my 300D)

I thought there was a whole discussion once on how the advertised mAH ratings on these aftermarket batteries wasn't really as advertised, and was simply done to keep up with all the other vendors selling similar batteries and making similar claims.
I do have a pair of sterlingtek batteries, as well as 2 original Canons, and I can't really say which pair lasts longer in my grip...

I think someone at the other end of the phone got the 50D mixed up with the 5D II and the 500D, neither of which will take the BP511. The 50D certainly will.

I use the sterlingtek in my 50D exclusively it lasts longer than the factory battery.

Sasquatch41 wrote in post #7886309
I use the sterlingtek in my 50D exclusively it lasts longer than the factory battery.

I agreeereeee!!! I love my Sterlings!! I use BP 511 replacement for my 50D....kept from my 30D!

SMP_Homer wrote in post #7883741
I thought there was a whole discussion once on how the advertised mAH ratings on these aftermarket batteries wasn't really as advertised, and was simply done to keep up with all the other vendors selling similar batteries and making similar claims.
I do have a pair of sterlingtek batteries, as well as 2 original Canons, and I can't really say which pair lasts longer in my grip...

I can. My Sterlingtek batteries last much more longer than my Canon ones. I'm about to make a whole switch and ditch the Canon ones. Some people love the original batteries.

I've been using Sterlingtek for several years. They do have higher capacity than the Canon ones and seem to have a longer life before they die.

J.

I was going to post a new thread to ask this, but I'll throw it in here....

What kind of average lifespan is everyone getting with either Canon or Sterlingtek BP-511 batteries? I'm guessing I get about 3 years from my Sterlingtek batteries before they start to peter out. That sound about right?

I see no difference in the Sterlingtek vs Canon life. Both do about 3 years before they get flaky. That's largely a function of battery technology more than anything.

J.

Shouldn't it be number of recharge cycles not number of years?

Eagle wrote in post #7966251
Shouldn't it be number of recharge cycles not number of years?

Probably so.... but I keep better track of the years than I do of recharge cycles. I've been dating my batteries with a Sharpie pen, but I suppose I could mark it with a dot each time I charge it.

Mark_48 wrote in post #7968673
Probably so.... but I keep better track of the years than I do of recharge cycles. I've been dating my batteries with a Sharpie pen, but I suppose I could mark it with a dot each time I charge it.

mine are numbered (1 through 4)... and try to cycle them in order
I do have a spreadsheet with everything, when purchased, when warranty expires, etc... and have notes on those 4 batteries (when bought, where, etc..)
I remember thinking that I was going to record # of shots between charges, etc... gave up on that very soon after...

Eagle wrote in post #7966251
Shouldn't it be number of recharge cycles not number of years?

It's both. A Li-ion battery will die over time even if you don't recharge it once. They dry out essentially. They have a finite number of recharge cycles and a finite lifetime. That said, not keeping them charged can also damage them. They like to be fully charged.

J.

I'm a Sterlingtek fan, using their batteries in my 40D. Never had an issue and would be buying them for my 5DII if they made them.