Customer Reviews

Satechi LCD Timer Vertical Battery Grip for Nikon D80 and D90 with Remote Control

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was leery about ordering this grip as to what the other person said that you needed Canon batteries for this grip to work. I went to the Satechi site and checked it out and Satechi stated it was made for the Nikon D80 and you can use one or two Nikon D80 batteries (En-EL3e) made for it. So I ordered it and I am extremely happy I did.

It is very light weight compared to other grips, giving you the feeling of being cheap. It is not. It is solidly made. It holds one/two Nikon EN-EL3e lithium batteries (approx. 5000 shots) as well on 6 AA batteries (alkaline, NiMH, lithium or nickel-manganese)(approx. 480shots). It is made to shoot in large quantities or in low temperatures. It is equipped with a vertical-grip shutter button that has the feel of my Nikon D80 and operates the same way. It also has an AE Lock/FE lock button, main and sub-command dials to enable shooting in the same fashion as a horizontal grip of the D80. It also has the functions of exposure control: long exposure, long intermiten exposure time setting, etc. As well as an infrared receipt function. That's right, it comes with a remote similar to the Nikon remote EN-L3 but works at a greater distance. Note: The battery grip is not waterproof. So do not take a bath with it.

The battery compartment has a twist knob/dial that is turned slightly to the right to pop open the cover to add/change batteries etc., and locks quickly without having to remove grip from camera. Just make sure to turn the turn power off to camera before adding/exchanging the batteries. Comes with a AA batteries adaptor that can remain stored in the grip when not being used with batteries.

The grip has an LCD screen/monitor for showing the professional functions of the grip. Shows the calendar, date and time continuously. Does not drain the batteries as it runs on separate battery. It has Setting (Set) button, High Adjust button, Low Adjust button, Start/Pause Button, LCD Background Light Button, Grip On/Off switch, etc. Has a switch to allow you to use remote, and also to take time-lapse photography, shutter released time and set shoot number(s). You can shoot under bulb mode(B). That's right, all this on this grip. Has also a stop watch capabilities function too and you set the grip to shoot up 99 hours later after being set.

Found that the following usages the of the grip reduces the number of images that can be recorded: 1. Frequent usage of LCD monitor. 2. Holding the shutter button halfway down for too long a time. 3. Shooting using only AF mode.

I have nothing but good things to say about this grip. This is a ten star unit and I highly recommend it for Nikon D80 users. It does not add an excess amount of weight and looks like the camera came with it. Others who have seen my unit have asked me how much my Nikon D3 cost me. I smile and tell them this is a Nikon D80 with a Satechi grip. Love to see there mouths drop. Git-it. The price is right and the functions are fantastic. You will have to read the instruction pamphlet as there are many things this unit does/functions. Satechi did a great job. I highly recommend it's site ( [...])to check other remotes etc available for the Nikon D80 that can be ordered through [...]. I will stop as I do not know what else to say, it is the best buy of accessory for the Nikon D80 I got. It is now a permanent attachment to my D80.

I have been searching for a battery powered grip for my Nikon D90, but I thought the one manufactured by Nikon was waaaay to expensive. I was just about to give up hope when I came across this grip from Satechi. Every site I went to for reviews only listed it's compatibility with the Nikon D80. Then I just used common since. If they Nikon branded grip says it works with both the D80 and the D90, I figured this grip from Satechi had to work for both as well. Sure enough it works as advertised! It fits the D90 body seamlessly and looks like a Nikon factory grip.

The manual is poorly written, but you should be able to figure out most of the functions with a little trial and error. For the features and cost this is a great value, and if you have D90 go ahead an pick it up. No worries!

There are already a lot of good reviews for this product here, and you can count me as another person who is definitely pleased with this product - but by all means read through them anyway as they contain more technical detail than I'm going to go into...

I have owned a D80 for several months now and was interested in buying a "battery grip" for it for two main reasons - the ability to run two battery packs side-by-side for double the shooting time, and the ability to substitute 6 AA batteries in a pinch. The one that Nikon makes for it does that, as well as providing a secondary shutter release, front and rear command dials, and AE/AF Lock button. It also stores the original battery door inside it and provides an additional tripod mounting thread to replace the one it occupies. But that's pretty much where Nikon's seems to stop...

The Satechi LCD Timer Grip does all of that, and a lot more. It also includes an infrared remote (which sells as an additional item from Nikon), but the feature that really wowed me was the fact that it has a built-in stopwatch/timer that will allow you to program it for time-lapse photography! It can be set to shoot anywhere from once-a-second to once every 99-hours, 59-minutes and 59-seconds - and it can repeat this cycle up to 99 times. (It can only take one shot per "cycle", but repeat the cycle up to 99 times.) This is a delightful, unexpected bonus to find built into a battery grip, and it really adds a lot of creative potential to the way you can shoot!

When you set the shutter speed to "Bulb", you can use the remote control to hold the shutter open as long as you hold down the remote's button (count "One-Mississippi, Two-Mississippi ... " if you want) - the shutter will close when you release the remote's button. This allows it to be used like a wireless "cable-release" type trigger (though you do have to point the remote at the IR receiver on the front of the grip).

As others have noted, the manual is one of those where things seemed to get a little lost in translation, but I would say that puzzling the functions out is not quite as hard as trying to figure out how to set an LCD watch when you don't have the manual for it. The buttons are more logically labeled and along with what you can glean from the manual, it's fairly intuitive.

It DOES NOT require Canon batteries to work! (I have no idea where someone got that idea.) In fact, I run both the original battery that came with the camera along with two "second party" (non-Nikon) replacement batteries that I purchased separately, and they all work great. (I also bought this package : 2 Replacement Nikon EN-EL3e Batteries and Mini Battery Charger for Nikon D700, D300, D200, D90, D80, D70, D70s, D50 Digital SLR Cameras

Of course the original idea behind these things was to provide an additional "grip" to help you hold the camera better in the vertical (portrait) position, and then someone decided to stick some more batteries in there and provide some duplicate controls for shooting in that position to get the most out of it. But really, this grip takes it to a new level by adding the remote control and time-lapse capabilities on top of the standard features.

It was delivered promptly in perfect shape, and Satechi even contacted me to make sure it had been delivered OK and that I was satisfied with it. It removes from the camera easy enough, but I won't be doing that ... as another reviewer said, it's now a permanent part of my D80. (And don't forget it works on the newer D90 too.)

Bravo - Five-Stars - and Highly Recommended - Get yourself one! ('cause you can't have mine!)

I am very, very pleased with the Satechi Battery grip. The form and color match my Nikon D80 perfectly, and the Digital display adds a real aggressive sport look and feel... With the additional battery power I have more than doubled my shooting ability on any photo outing. Now I worry more about memory space. Another plus to the Satechi Battery grip is the wireless remote that comes with, runs on AAA batteries and has continuous shooting ability.. {{{NICE}}}
There's nothing more I can say, except.... "You really need to pick one of these up".

Positives:
1. Matching fit and finish with Nikon D90
2. Light weight but well made
3. There is rubber grip which helps grip the camera better
4. The installation is easy
5. Intervelometer works nicely

Negatives:
1. The supplied remote works with distance no more than 12 ft
2. The manual is really poorly written. Especially for intervelometer part
3. The grip is on the larger side even for my large hands

I've had this grip for a few days now and am extremely pleased with it overall-aside from a couple of small caveats. First, the grip uses a CR2016 battery to power the on-board LCD. The battery is installed under a small door on the bottom of the grip, and that door is secured by a small screw. The problem is that the screw isn't captive to the door, so you have to be very, very careful when you unscrew the access door-otherwise the microscopic screw will propel itself at Mach 2 across your office. Good luck trying to find it if this happens to you. Fortunately, the four screws that hold together the included remote are the perfect size-so you can cannibalize the remote as needed :) The rear latch to the main battery door could be designed better. I've had to bend the latch tab slightly to prevent the loose door from rattling. Sure, I'm nitpicking-but that's what these reviews are supposed to be for, right?

Aside from the above, I'm very happy with this grip. It's light weight doesn't harm the balance of my D80, and the extra shooting capacity is most welcome. The intervalometer is a great feature, and was ultimately what swayed me to choose this grip over Nikon's MB-D80.

I cannot say enough good things about this grip. Other reviewers pointed out many positives, and they're all true. I'll just add that what I find very convenient about it is that in addition to housing nikon batteries this grip comes with AA 6-battery magazine, which is beyond good for emergencies. This is a fantastic back up option.

If you're into time lapse photography, this unit is simply invaluable. The only design problem it has is once mounted on the tripod, battery cover slot is blocked from opening, so camera will have to be removed to have the batteries replaced. What ever shoot you're doing, make sure it falls within 3-5K shot range with fully charged batteries (usually more than enough for me). Just as a word of advise, when using this unit for interval shots, make sure you're not in burst mode, otherwise shutter release setting on the grip will interfere with how many times shutter goes off.

Then last but not least, with those for camera envy it actually makes my d80 look like d3 HA! Bonus points right there (:

Based on other reviewers' recommendations, I decided this was the most comprehensive battery grip for my Nikon D90. I already knew about the poor translation from Chinese to English for the instructions which accompanied the battery grip, so I'll not take any points off for that. If you read carefully, you can figure out what they are trying to say. It is pretty much self-explanatory. As for the battery grip, it is excellent. You can have that additional battery (2 total), as well as the 6 AA batteries in the included adapter, which gives you all the power you'll need especially if you purchase a 16MB or 32MB SDHC memory card. ( I recommend the A-Data 16 MB SDHC Class 6 memory card with the included 3-1 USB card reader -- sold here at Amazon). Depending on which mode you shoot in, (e.g. jpg, RAW,, large medium or small format), you can store thousands of photos on a single memory card and rarely have to swap out rechargeable batteries). Another advantage is that, because this battery grip includes a wireless remote unit, you don't have to spend extra money on a separate unit. This battery grip is less expensive than the Nikon battery grip. So, in summary you spend much less money and have greater convenience with this particular battery grip. You program your shutter release time - which can be delayed up to nearly 100 hours, the number of shutter releases you prefer, up to 999, and the amount of time you want the shutter to remain open. Plus, a remote unit allows you to instantaneously remotely release the shutter, so you, yourself can be in the photo along with others if you prefer and you can discretely depress the remote's button to release the shutter -- and it will be exactly when YOU want the shutter to be depressed. This is an all encompassing unit. And, with a bonus backlight, you can work in the dark, too! It goes without saying that you can hold the camera in the vertical position for better control of vertical shots. It is comfortable to hold. It has the AE lock button, commander dial and sub-commander dial as well as an on/off switch. It has a place to hold the camera battery door - which you much remove in order to insert the "stalk" on the battery grip into the camera's battery compartment. So, if you ever want to remove the grip from the camera, you never have to worry about where your camera battery door may have been placed or misplaced. This is a very well thought out battery grip, with way more useful, easy features than any other grip out there, that I have found. I will relate one more useful point. Santechi markets this product through Amazon. My remote unit seemed to be defective. Santechi was made aware of this when they followed up via email as to whether or not I had receive their product. They asked me to verify my mailing address and the order number. Without any hassle or further emails, they informed me a replacement remote was on the way. It showed up via USPS in 3 days from the west coast. Now THAT is service!
Bottom line: Buy this product. It is awesome and well worth the reasonable price being asked for it.

I normaly don't waste my time writing reviews but felt obligated as the main reason I bought this unit was because of all the positive comments. As a mechanical engineer who has been in the cellphone business for 18 years developing products I have become pretty picky about quality especially with molding, plastic, rubber fits and textures. Long story short the product is not 100% perfect in form and feel as a Nikon product is expected to be but for 1/2 the price and twice the function of the OEM product it is 90% there and fits my D80 perfectly. Color and fits are near perfect match. Also there is a built in internal holder slot for the original Nikon battery door so you never have to be afraid you will lose it if you want to go back. Comes with a "AA" battery insert if you ever are in a pinch with dead batteries and also a wireless remote. The remote is a bit chincy in build quality but who cares. Also ships with the coin battery needed for the timer and also a spare! One last thing to add is that the 2 dial controls do need a bit of break in. They start out pretty tight with very strong detents that don't always coincide with changing a shutter speed or f-stop but if you spend a couple minutes spinning the dials they do break in and start working fine. As an engineer who is familiar with these types of switches I knew that this is not uncommon. Even the old Blackberry thumb wheels needed a good break-in before they worked like a charm! If you are interested in an excellent, professionally designed and built battery adapter, timer, AA battery backup, and wireless remote device that lets you take photos in portrait mode with ease then don't look any further as you will not be disappointed with this product.

I was intrigued by the many reviews I read about the Satechi LCD Timer Vertical Battery Grip for the Nikon D80/D90. Like many, I purchased this product as an alternative to the more-expensive Nikon MB-D80 grip, especially since this one offers a digital LCD, an intervalometer and other options. However, when I received the Satechi grip, I was very disappointed with the plastic feel and toy-like construction. While I was expecting slightly less quality than the Nikon alternative, I was surprised at how thin, flimsy and poorly constructed the Satechi was. There is NO rubberized grip on any surface and the whole thing feels like it will split open at the seams if ever mishandled. It rattled like a toy and I think it made my D90 look like one too. Plus, I didn't like the way the buttons are located where one's thumb rests when holding the camera vertically (which, of course, is the whole point).

I was REALLY disappointed, as I had been looking forward to putting it to use. And after stopping by a local camera store to actually feel the Nikon MB-D80 grip, I am returning the Satechi today. The Nikon is FAR superior in build and feel. In fact, surprisingly superior.

That being said, the Satechi does have many positives for those who don't mind the feel. For one, it was delivered faster than the original estimate. And the intervalometer would definitely be fun to use (though Satechi offers a TR-M Timer Remote Control for Nikon D90 with an intervalometer that I might try, since I have no problem with the Satechi company). The grip appeared to perform as advertised in every other way. But for me, the thicker (rubberized) feel of the Nikon outweighs all of the benefits of the Satechi. I wish I had just gone with the Nikon to begin with - I hate waiting! Hopefully the return process will go as smoothly as the purchase.