Volta 2.0 Battery Handle Launched – Make a Great Product Better

Battery News

by Jeff LochApril 9^th, 2021

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Volta Cinema has just launched the Volta 2.0 battery handle via a crowdfunding campaign. This handle now features two 7.2V D-Tap and one 5V/3A USB-C output port, which can be used simultaneously to power your camera and accessories. Also, you now have the option to mount the Volta 2.0 to a NATO rail or cold shoe mount, there’s a new 15mm rod mount accessory, and the battery charger has been redesigned from the ground up. Let’s take a closer look at it!

Material Possession ltd, the British company created by Tudor Chirila, which is behind Volta Cinema, launched the “original” Volta Top Handle in August 2020 (which we reviewed here). The idea and concept behind this product are to allow filmmakers/content creators to power their cameras or camera accessories through a top handle.

Indeed, when you start rigging your camera, one of the first components you add is a top handle to carry/operate your rig more easily. But, instead of having just a piece of metal on top of your camera, what if you could use it to power an on-camera monitor or wireless follow focus, for example? And that’s the idea behind the Volta Cinema top handle.

A couple of months ago, I did an in-depth review of the original Volta Top Handle that you can read here. To this day, I still enjoy using that tool, even if it has some downsides and things that Volta Cinema could improve. That’s exactly what Tudor did, listen to its customers’ feedback, work harder, and launch the Volta 2.0 battery handle that solves many of the problems I had with the original one.

Volta 2.0 Battery Handle – What’s new?

First of all, let’s start by what’s identical between the Volta original and this new Volta 2.0 battery handle:

• Both products use the same Volta 36 36Wh/5A batteries.
• Machined from aircraft-grade 7075 Aluminium.
• You can adjust the handle back and forth.

And that’s pretty much it. Tudor and his team went back to the drawing hard to improve nearly everything else.

The Volta 2.0 battery handle now includes three power outputs: two 7.2V D-Tap outputs and one USB-C 5V/3A port. Also, the battery mount where the power output ports are located is now angled.

Also, you can now change how you mount the handle to your rig: NATO rail or cold shoe. This is nice to have options here. I’d still love to see another option with the NATO mount angled the other way around; it’ll maybe come one day.

The Volta 2.0 battery handle now has a removable soft grip that could be handy if you’re shooting with gloves or having sweaty hands. I hope that accessories will still be able to slide through it.

Accessories

The Volta 2.0 comes standard with the new and improved monitor mount and a 15 mm mount. Both of them can be used simultaneously. It’ll be useful if you want to attach an EVF to the handle.

Next are dummy batteries. At the moment, 6 models are available: Sony NP-F/FW50/FZ100, Canon LP-E6, Panasonic DMW-BLF19, and SIGMA BP-51. All models feature “premium materials and short circuit / over and under-voltage protection, ensuring safe operation no matter how extreme the environment is.” What’s nice is that in each Dummy Emergency Pack, you have all six batteries and three different length cables: 15/30/45cm.

Snapcharger

One of the main complaints I had with the original Volta battery handle was the battery charger. It felt a bit low-quality and not convenient to use. I’m glad that the team came out with a new and much more mature solution: the Snapcharger.

The first thing to notice is that this dual battery charger now features a USB-C port compared to the previous version’s micro-USB port. The charger can charge both batteries in less than two hours, according to the company.

One handy feature is the OLED status indicator on the side of the Snapcharger.

Another nice thing if you have multiple Volta 36 batteries and Snapcharger is to stack them and charge up to 8 batteries simultaneously from one power source. That’s genius. And if you’re on the road, you can even use the Snapcharger as a wireless charging station for your smartphone.

As you probably noticed, there are two D-Tap output ports on the Snapcharger. Indeed, the charger’s back has a built-in V-Mount wedge, and it comes in the box with a 15mm rod adapter. It means that you can use it as a 72Wh V-Mount battery (with two Volta 36 batteries) to expand your rig powering options if needed. That’s smart, and you’ll always have your charger with you on set.

Price and availability

The Volta 2.0 crowdfunding campaign is now live on Indiegogo, and shipment is expected to begin in mid-July. Backing starts at $135/€115 to get the full starter kit that includes:

• 1x Volta 2.0 Handle (Black).
• 1x Cold shoe module.
• 1x Nato module.
• 1x Monitor mount.
• 1x 15mm Rod mount.
• 1x Volta SnapCharger®.
• 1x SnapCharger® V-mount plate.
• 1x SnapCharger® 15mm rod plate.
• 2x Volta 36® batteries.
• 1x Dummy battery of choice.
• 1x 30 cm low profile D-tap cable.
• 3x Soft grip tape.

At this price point, that’s close to unbeatable and clearly the most versatile powering option on the market. We can’t wait to get our hands on a unit of what could be the future of powering options for small/medium camera rigs.

For more information, please visit the Volta 2.0 crowdfunding campaign here.

As always, please be aware that this is a crowdfunding project and not a retail shop so do your research accordingly. CineD does its best to only share projects that look legitimate but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

What do you think about the Volta 2.0 battery handle? Do you think this more mature design could make its way into your camera bag? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!