USB DC COUPLERS: Never run out of battery power ever again!
One of the biggest gripes in using any electronic battery powered device is running out of juice just when you need it the most. Its even more frustrating for a photographer when the battery decides to give up on you just as you are about to nail that one in a million shot! Fear not, enter DC Couplers or as they are commonly known - dummy batteries. The dummy battery allows cameras to be charged on the go, something not many older cameras are capable of doing. The entire setup consists of a dummy battery connected to a DC drive cable/voltage regulator that is designed for specific camera batteries.
Not only can you power your actioncam, but also your mobilephone and helmet comms. This is my street helmet mounted solar powerbank setup using a GoPro dummy battery
This is a trick I picked up using GoPro's, which are notorious for sucking power fast especially on high resolution settings with fast frame rates. The solution was hooking up a dummy battery and charging it on the go via USB with the sun! No longer did I have to carry more than 1 battery and its FREE power. This is a great solution if you are working far from power outlets out in the field. Am currently working on an AR15 magazine pouch to hold my powerbank strapped to my shoulder stock. Or, in my NERF Recon MKII using the magazine and putting a lipo battery in there so I can change out battery magazines on the go! As for the negatives, you will have to leave your battery compartment door open to allow the cable to snake its way to your powerbank or battery pack. Now, its not about losing power but how big your memory card is!
This is an AC coupler solution best suited for stationary studio work
There is a dummy battery made for practically every kind of camera model on the market. God bless Chinese electronic innovation! Just google your battery model and you will find a coupler for your camera. Once you get a dummy battery, you just hook it up to a USB powerbank/solar powerbank or even a AC power outlet directly if you are working in a studio. The good news is these things are super cheap too!
