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Reviews For: www.batteriesamerica.com

Category: Batteries & Chargers for Amateur Radio

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Review Summary For : www.batteriesamerica.com
Reviews: 63MSRP:
Description:
Wide selection of HT batteries and accessories. Great service. I give them a 5/5
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.batteriesamerica.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00633.2
WA4DOU Rating: 2005-03-28
Problem free service! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased 2 FNB-41 NiMH, a couple of years apart, from Batteries America. The price was quite reasonable and the delivery was perfectly satisfactory. The quality of the batteries also seems quite satisfactory. What more could I ask for?
KL3NP Rating: 2005-03-18
Poor quality, poor service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have ordered several batteries from this company over the years, even referred them to fellow hams.

No longer.

Batteriesamerica has a problem with at least the V57x battery for the Vertex 150, as I have now had two, both of which fail after about a year. The first one they replaced. I wrote them today about this second one (same problem as the first, no capacity left) and got a runaround as to how I was probably not charging it properly, etc. I advised them that I several of these batteries, two of which are Yaesus, two theirs. Both the original Yaesus work fine, and have for 3 years. I bought the Batteriesamerica units for their increased capacity.

In a nutshell, no offer was made to replace them or refund me, or help me in any way. In their mind, its my fault the battery no longer functions. I explained to them all they need do is read this forum, and they would find it just isn't me with problems.

My advice: Stay away from Batteriesamerica. Their prices are tempting, the product will work, but only for a short time. If you have to deal with them for customer service, you best be prepared to be disappointed.

No more. I will buy my aftermarket batteries from WWassociates.

This is the classic case of you get what you pay for.
WB9MYA Rating: 2005-03-07
Bad Batteries Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've got a couple of old Icom ht's that use the bp-8 packs. I ordered 4. 2 worked great, ran for days and days. One wouldn't hold a charge, the other, only for 3 hours. I sent the 2 bad packs back and talked to you know who. She told me that they checked out fine in their shop, but would credit my card. I ordered a pack for my ft-50r, which works great. I'll wait to see if they credit my card, without too much trouble. I called W&W to order 2 bp-8's. If those work out o.k., I'll stick with W&W. Batts America definitely has some issues to resolve when it comes to customer servive. You can't fix the problem, if you fail to recognize that one exists. I too have tried to bring up quality control issues in a friendly way, only to get a
condesending reply, implying that the problems were my fault. I wonder if the president or owner of the company, knows or cares, about the lack of customer service or satisfaction????
KB9WQJ Rating: 2005-02-22
OK by me Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got a battery eliminator for an old Alinco...had an intermittent connection in the cable. I could have fixed it myself but it was brand new. I called and spoke with Russell. I sent it back and got a new one right away. Works for me.
WA7NDD Rating: 2004-12-16
Perfect Solution Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have a Radio Shack HTX-202, good radio, but Radio Shack wanted way to much for their replacement batteries.

Batteries America had the perfect solution. Instead of getting an incert pack for the old battery case, they had a new case IC-8 for $21.00 that would hold 8 instead of 6 batteries that fit the HTX-202. I bought the IC-8 and 8 2300ma batteries at $2.00 each. The IC-8 had a built in charging plug, no need to take the batteries out. The new batteries and IC-8 case work will and the old hand held has a much longer run time. It has not gone dead yet so I don't know how long that is, but much better than the original battery packs.
Saved the price of a new radio that would not give me any more than I all ready had, or would use in features.
Jim, WA7NDD
WA1VKO Rating: 2004-12-16
pleasant surprise Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought a used BP-79A several years ago for my IC T7H . Well after several years of in and out the insert in the charger broke.... contacted Batteries America via E-Mail and asked for the part number and proceedure to order a new insert.... return E-Mail asked for just my address and stated they would be happy to ship me one.... three days later in the busy Christmas season the box arrived.... seems they did something they really did not need to do as they certainly incured some cost in sending this to me... maybe not much in cost but the good will will remain for some time... By the way.. charger works great!!!!
N7FGF Rating: 2004-11-08
Good Experiences... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have placed at least 3 orders with Batteries America. One was for 3 battery packs for a Yaesu VX-150 radio. There was a problem with the batteries, but Batteries America made it good and took care of the problem to my satisfaction. I think here was the radio being so new, there was an error on how the battery pack was put together... Bottom line was Batteries America made it good. My 2nd purchase was for a battery pack on an old ICOM marine handheld radio.. Batteries America came thru and no problems with this battery pack at all.... I am awaiting aonther order which I should get sometime this week. A battery pack and a drop in charger for my ICOM W32A.... I think they try real hard when there is a problem.. At least they have with me. I find it really something when you can get double the MAH in the same physical shape that something less would go into... One time I was going on vacation and needed some battery packs in a hurry for a new radio... They busted their butt getting the batteries to me and a drop in charger too... Prices are more than fair.. If you are not in a burry.. Wait for the monthly or ham radio specials from them.. You could save a few $$$$'s there. So verall I am pleased with Batteries America... And I do read that some of the reviews here indicate some problems now and then.... I'd buy batteries from them again with no problem....
AI4FP Rating: 2004-11-06
FNB-26xs Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got this battery pack for my Yeasu FT-416 . It has never taken a charge since day one . Talked to the salesman at the Huntsville Al hamfest . He said I should have brought it to the hamfest and he would have gladly exchanged it for me . Took it to the Lawrenceville hamfest today . Talked to the same salesman . No refund , no exchange , tough cookies . It is sad that they will never under any circumstances get another nickel's worth of business from me . I also talked to the same " female " on the phone that a lot of others have had dealings with . Same story there too . I'm done with batteries america .
K8DXN Rating: 2004-06-11
BP-170L battery case Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just received my BP170-L battery case yesterday evening and it appears to be of good construction. As with anything made of plastic it should be handled with care. The fit and finish are very good. It works well. In case those who don't know this is a 6-cell battery case for the Icom TH7H&A, W31,W32, Z1A, and others.I placed my order over the phone and received the pack in aprox.1 week. The packing was very good and they included a product list of their merchandise with prices. The lady who took my order was probably the one others have commented on. She was not overly cheerful or friendly but she was very straight foward and did get my order correct. The only complaint I could possibly have is the $7.50 shipping charge for a $3.85 Priority mail package. I can see some extra for the materials but not quite that much, maybe $5.50. That is why it is not a "5" on my rating.
KB7YOU Rating: 2004-05-05
Good batteries and accessories Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I’ve been doing business with this company for over a year. I get all of my batteries and packs from them now.

The 2100mAh cells @ $2.25 each are great. I use them in my W32a, Q7 and my digital camera as well as for miscellaneous other items. Every cell has worked perfectly. I slow charge them and FAST charge them using a variety of NiMH chargers and have never had a single problem. I’ve also abused some of them by accidentally leaving my radio plugged in to trickle charge for days on end and I’ve even half-assed solar charged them. They just keep working. The capacity ratings are fair and accurate. I’ll never by a rip-off overpriced pack from a radio dealer again – as a matter of fact, I will not even by a radio anymore unless it can be used with standard cells. No planned obsolescence for me.

I also picked up a pair of the 6 cell AA cases for my Icom W32a. Both cases have great fit and finish and are heavily used. They were the same price as the Icom branded 4 cell cases and if anything, they are more solid and better made. Perfect fit and they match the radio VERY well. When I use the cases with the Batteries America 2100mAh cells I get 2 full days of use out of my radio. 16 hours or better with transmissions at low and high power (mind you, I’m not very chatty on the air)

I see some people giving bad ratings because they have killed a cell in a pack. Well over charging, over discharging and other abuses are common and if you don’t take care of your batteries these things happen. I’ve never had a single cell reverse on me unless I screwed it up.

Anyway, great company, quick to ship (always get my stuff in 2 weeks or less) and never a single problem. Have not tried their chargers so I can not comment on those. Also can not comment on tech support, never needed them.

Highly recommend these guys. Prices are good and they have batteries for everything. The AA NiMH cells are great!

73
Chris
KB7YOU