Canon TC-80N3 Remote

rogerg (Roger) · #1 24-06-2010, 09:38 AM

Several months ago I purchased a cheap eBay substitute for the Canon TC-80N3 Remote. It has always had battery issues - I put a new CR2032 in and the next day it's flashing empty battery. It seems to keep running, but always tells me empty battery. Also the adjustments with the buttons and dial are not ideal (but are functionl).

Does anyone have the true Canon TC-80N3 Remote to comment on how they compare to the eBay cheap ones?

I'm considering buying a true Canon TC-80N3 Remote from eBay for $180ish. It's an important piece of my equipment so I need it to be reliable.

Thanks,
Roger.

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #2 24-06-2010, 09:59 AM

I have been using the cheapie, when i first bought it the battery was low as well, but with a replacement battery it hasn't failed as yet. I have been removing the battery when not in use (or opening it up a little).

I now use a battery pack which timer on-board although i still have the remote, I don't use it much now.

Dennis · #3 24-06-2010, 10:04 AM

Hi Roger

I purchased a genuine Canon TC-80N3 remote some 1½ to 2 years ago and have just checked it, with the original Canon supplied battery, and it appears to be working okay in terms of scrolling through the various screens and options.

I’ve used it mainly as a “dumb” release and even then, only maybe 10-20 times during that period.

Even though Canon accessories can be expensive, for accessories that I judge to be vital and complex (mainly electronic & electro-mechanical) I tend to buy the original Canon product where there is a risk of a single point of failure or potential harm to my camera and lenses.

Cheers

Dennis

EDIT:
I should add that my reasoning is based upon the simple belief that Canon design engineers would specify reliable electronic and electro-mechanical components and that Canon are likely to maintain a better control over the materials and manufacturing processes for their products.

This is just an educated guess, so I could be wrong!

Octane (Humayun) · #4 24-06-2010, 10:36 AM

Dennis,

I agree with you 100%. My philosophy with hardware and software accessories goes along the lines that I've spent good money on equipment, why should I skimp on accessories.

Also, you get what you pay for.

H

allan gould · #5 24-06-2010, 11:08 AM

I have had the legit version of this release and checked it out last night. Still running on the original battery after 3 + years. You do get what you pay for, I'm afraid.

rogerg (Roger) · #6 24-06-2010, 11:13 AM

Ok...

So I bought the cheap one thinking "well, can't hurt to give it a try for only $25" .. seems I've tried and failed now so will just go with the Canon one.

Thanks for the replies.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #7 24-06-2010, 11:31 AM

I paid $45 for my knock off a year or so ago. (mid shelf quality?)
I've only just changed the original battery the other week.
It's served me faultlessly during that time.
When I consider how many hours of service it's given me, often spending the night steeped in dew, I'd recommend them.

adman (Adam) · #8 24-06-2010, 12:48 PM

I had been having battery issues with mine - until I started to remove the battery between imaging sessions. It is a little bit of a pain, but nothing compared to the battery running out halfway through the night. The cheapie ones don't have an on/off switch, nor do they turn off automatically after a period of time.

I have been thinking of strapping one or two AA's on the back and wiring them in with an on/off switch. Cheaper, longer lasting batteries, easy to change in the dark....cant go wrong!

troypiggo (Troy) · #9 24-06-2010, 02:57 PM

Not sure which eBay one you bought, but I haven't had any trouble with the Aputure one and I hear others here have similar good experience. I've had mine for, I dunno, couple of years. Only just replaced the original battery a week or 2 ago. I had left it in all that time, the LCD screen always on. Obviously doesn't chew much power. I've decided to take the battery out when not in use this time, see how long it lasts.

I wonder if the "new" battery you bought has been on the shelf a while?

rogerg (Roger) · #10 24-06-2010, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troypiggo

Not sure which eBay one you bought, but I haven't had any trouble with the Aputure one and I hear others here have similar good experience. I've had mine for, I dunno, couple of years. Only just replaced the original battery a week or 2 ago. I had left it in all that time, the LCD screen always on. Obviously doesn't chew much power. I've decided to take the battery out when not in use this time, see how long it lasts.

I wonder if the "new" battery you bought has been on the shelf a while?

Interesting. Mine is an Aputure one too (at least that's the name on it...). I have heard from other who haven't had battery issues. So there must be good ones and dud ones out there.

Who knows re the batter. I know it had several years left on it's expiry.

tempestwizz (Brian) · #11 24-06-2010, 04:05 PM

As another who has bought the genuine article, I have had faultless service for somehwere near 4 years now. I have changed the battery once in that time. I'm expecting to change it again soon. It has operated in the sub-zero temperatures of Canberra winters, and withstood idleness duringthe scorching summers.
Note that there is no 'OFF' switch. It stays ON whilever a battery is inserted.

bojan · #12 24-06-2010, 04:21 PM

Mine is Aputure, and battery needed replacement after a year and half.
I seriously doubt that "cloned" timers are really much different from "original" ones.. Being in electronics industry for whole my professional life, I simply KNOW that almost every big brand is using other no-name manufactures and just sticking their own labels for many non-critical products..
And, even if this is not the case here (with Canon original timer), everyone today is using the same parts and components for their gadgets (microcontrollers and other logic circuits, resistors, caps and so on). so everyone ends up with very similar performance of their products.

So the proverb "you get what you pay for" is simply not true any more.... (probably it was true in the last century.. but not always :-) )

bloodhound31 · #13 24-06-2010, 05:30 PM

My Aputure one is running perfectly as it always has.

bojan · #14 24-06-2010, 05:37 PM

BTW, if you really want to spend that money.. why not buy 4 or 5 cheap ones from ebay instead for the same amount?
One in a car, one permanently on the mount, one in the jacket pocket..

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerg

Ok...

So I bought the cheap one thinking "well, can't hurt to give it a try for only $25" .. seems I've tried and failed now so will just go with the Canon one.

Thanks for the replies.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #15 24-06-2010, 05:44 PM

I have Aputure and I've still got the same batteries in it after two and some years. Mine uses 2xAAA though, not CR2032 and the screens on all the time.

rogerg (Roger) · #16 24-06-2010, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bojan

BTW, if you really want to spend that money.. why not buy 4 or 5 cheap ones from ebay instead for the same amount?
One in a car, one permanently on the mount, one in the jacket pocket..

I'd prefer just one, that works, rather than several cluttering various places. I only need it for one camera which is always in my camera backpack with accessories like the cable release.

rogerg (Roger) · #17 24-06-2010, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

I have Aputure and I've still got the same batteries in it after two and some years. Mine uses 2xAAA though, not CR2032 and the screens on all the time.

That's interesting there are different designed of the Aputure that use AAA vs CR2032.

bojan · #18 24-06-2010, 05:59 PM

Well, if one goes faulty, you will have a plenty of backup

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerg

I'd prefer just one, that works, rather than several cluttering various places. I only need it for one camera which is always in my camera backpack with accessories like the cable release.

rogerg (Roger) · #19 24-06-2010, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bojan

Well, if one goes faulty, you will have a plenty of backup

If the backups are in the same place I am

Dennis · #20 24-06-2010, 07:07 PM

Just a few observations and thoughts.

Recently I was looking at key boards and the two most popular big name brands were Logitech and Microsoft, along with several no-name brands that were much cheaper.

One thing that I noticed is that the Logitech and Microsoft models had keys that felt nice to the touch and would be a pleasure to use on a daily basis.

The no name brand models had lousy tactile feedback of the keys and their plastic chassis just felt cheaper = thinner and less substantial. They flexed when twisted. The battery compartments on the keyboards and mice were more difficult to access and it was clear to see that thinner materials were being used. On those still tethered with cables, the cables were thin and short. Generally, they looked like they were built to a price.

So, although a few factories might manufacture several re-badged products on their flexible production lines, there is always the possibility that the big name brands may specify certain (approved) components and materials as well as certain assembly, testing and packaging requirements, which differentiate their re-badged products from the non name brands?

So, there may well be a case, for critical items, that you do indeed get what you pay for?

Cheers

Dennis