Gold Mount VS V-Mount Batteries: Which Is Better And Why?

By | Published March 23rd, 2020 | in FILMMAKING

Gold Mount VS V-Mount Batteries: Which Is Better And Why?

When Anton Bauer created their signature gold mount battery in the early seventies, they created a favorite among Americans that hasn’t weaned since. Many claim it has a superior locking system utilizing 3 gold pins; however, Europeans and others around the world are all about their V mount batteries and claim that there is no advantage to Gold mount batteries when it comes to securely locking the battery to the camera. 

Could it be an America VS the rest of the world thing?

Maybe.

But still the debate continues and there are those that stand strongly on one side or the other. So let’s break it down and see if we can get to the bottom of this debate and give one these locking mechanisms the crown of superiority.

Gold Mount

Two roommates Anton Wilson and George Bauer joined forces in 1970 to create a ‘better’ battery solution for ENG and cinema camera operators everywhere. Before then operators were strapping batteries over their shoulder or around their belt which proved to be very cumbersome and restricting. Their engineering achievement paved the way for more flexibility while shooting and helped to offset the weight, creating more balance. Manufacturers adopted their patented system and off they went into the sunset of success. Their horizontal locking mount is revered because operators claim that it’s far less likely to unlatch from the camera accidentally.

Self proclaimed to be the standard for reliable battery solutions in the ENG, Documentary, and Cinema industry, it seems that most rental houses and operators in America prefer Gold Mount.

Gold Mount VS V-Mount Batteries: Which Is Better And Why?

V Mount

V-mount or V-Lock batteries were created by the Chinese engineers over at Sony who I’m assuming did not want to pay for Anton Bauer’s patent and desired to offer another battery locking mechanism that directly competes with the American-made mount. The V mount locks into the back of a camera vertically utilizing a ‘V’ shape to do so instead of 3 round pins. Although some claim that they have experienced random unlatching while shooting with V mount batteries in scenarios where a lot of movement is needed (Shoulder rig, gimbal, car mount), there’s a plethora of operators that use V mount and have never run into this issue. Whether it’s a faulty female mount or the eject button is placed in a bad spot, the mount itself is sound and just as hard to unlatch as a gold mount when intentionally trying to do so without pressing the release button.

It’s no secret that most in Asia and Europe prefer V mount over gold mount. Why might you ask? Who knows. — Over recent years, they both seem to keep up with one another when it comes to innovative technology for the needs of operators like Blueshape’s Granite Link and Anton Bauer’s DIONIC and Titon ranges.

So which is better?

That’s up to you to decide. When it comes to proof, all there is, is hearsay and myths about one being better than the other. At the end of the day, they are both viable options for powering camera units that are untethered. Before you go out and purchase one or the other, visit a rental house that has both options available and ask them to let you test out both batteries. Pick other operator’s brains and come to your own conclusion.

About The Author:

Trenton Massey

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