The 98Wh battery is a popular size for smaller devices such as monitors and box cameras. It keeps the kit compact. My SmallHD ULTRA 5, for example, doesn’t have a Sony L-type option. It uses the V-mount or gold mount plate from Wooden Camera. Putting a fat battery on it looks weird and adds bulk and weight. Having a small, powerful battery option is excellent. The 98Wh varieties are a nice balance of power and size.
The Core SWX new NANO X Micro Batteries feature a first-of-its-kind NexCore casing compound crafted from robust polycarbonate. This new design is stronger and lighter than previous models. For this review, I’ll be focusing on the 98Wh version. They also offer a 150Wh version.
Built To Be Tough
The NANO X Micro offers solid protection against impacts and vibrations. It also features enhanced weather-resistant features. The NexCore casing compound has made the NANO X Micro batteries light and strong at only 1.23 lbs or 560 grams.
Size
It is a bit heavier than the Core SWX NANO Micro, which comes in at 1.19 lb / 544 g. The NANO X is slightly larger as well. It’s the same height, just a little fatter.
Improved Port Covers
One upgrade that I appreciate is the port covers are now rubber and have a more prominent lip, making opening the protective cover a lot easier than the original NANO and many other brands I have used.
New Battery Status Monitoring
Monitoring the battery life is a good feature of any battery. Core has done an excellent job with some of its higher-end products with an informative power gauge that shows the percentage left.
The new design on the NANO X micro has an embedded battery status within the NexCore battery shell. The patent-pending EmLEd display looks to be tougher as it’s under the shell and doesn’t have a transparent plastic cover that can crack.
The new design is easy to see in all environments, from inside and out, in the sun.
Charging Status
I love the USB-C PD charging option. It’s one of the best new add-ons with ENG batteries since the D-Tap. The display is bright and clear. You have two status viewing options. One tap of the button shows the charge percentage and a second tap shows how much time is left until fully charged. I like that the display stays on while charging so you can see the status from across the room.
When the device is turned on, the display also stays on. The four green status bars also stayed illuminated. It would be great if you could turn it off or dim it to avoid being distracting in darker environments.
Ports
100w USB-C Power Delivery
The NANO X Micro batteries feature a 100w USB-C Power Delivery system that can be charged and deliver up to 100Wh of power. Perfect for recharging a laptop, mobile phone, and other compatible USB-C devices. It also has a USB-A output.
Like many batteries the NANO X also has a good ol’ D-Tap port for powering your camera add-ons like monitors and wireless video receivers. It’s great to have USB-C PD charging as it gives you a more travel-friendly recharging option than a bulky V-Mount charger. Today you can get 200Eh USB-PD chargers that can output two ports with 100w charging. That’s pretty nice.
NANO X Micro 98Wh Key features
- Micro-sized 98Wh SMART battery pack with a capacity of 14.8v 6.6Ah.
- Features a 10A draw with EmLEDTM Fuel Gauge, Integrated Ptap Port, USBCPD, and SMBUS Camera Communication.
- NANOX introduces a groundbreaking leap in portable power, redefining industry benchmarks.
- Crafted with precision, the compact design ensures formidable performance in a petite package.
- Embedded within the NexCoreTM battery shell is the patent-pending EmLEDTM display for resilient battery monitoring.
- The innovative NexCore casing compound offers unparalleled protection against impacts and vibrations.
- Boasts a wrap-around LED gauge for effortless battery status monitoring from any angle on set.
- Integrated with Voltbridge iD, NANOX revolutionizes battery monitoring with smartphone compatibility.
- Up to 100w USB-C Power Delivery integration ensures streamlined workflows and compatibility with production gear.
- Premium cells guarantee seamless operation in extreme temperatures, ensuring reliability in any environment.
NANO X Micro 98Wh Specifications
Capacity: 98Wh(14.8v, 6.6Ah)
Output to Camera/Ptap: DC 11-16.8v
USB-C PD Charge Input: Up to 100w
USB-C PD Output: DC 5v/9v/15v/20v, 45w
USB-A Output: DC 5v,3A
Size: 2.82” x 3.9” x 2.2”
Weight: 1.23 lb / 560 g
Normal Runtime: (25w) 3.6hrs.
Load: 10A
Voltbridge iD
Integrated with Voltbridge iD, you can monitor the NANO X Micro batteries remotely using Core’s forthcoming app coming towards the middle of the year.
V-Mount Tolerance
I have used many V-Mounts over the years, and some do not have the proper tolerance in the design, making them less compatible. The Core SWX batteries have always worked well with all my lights, cameras, and devices.
NANO X Micro 150
The NANO X Micro 150 is very similar in size but a touch bigger in depth.
NANO X Micro 150 Key features
- Micro-sized 150Wh SMART battery pack with a capacity of 14.8v 10.2Ah.
- Features a 12A draw with EmLEDTM Fuel Gauge, Integrated Ptap Port, USBCPD, and SMBUS Camera Communication.
- NANOX introduces a groundbreaking leap in portable power, redefining industry benchmarks.
- Crafted with precision, the compact design ensures formidable performance in a petite package.
- Embedded within the NexCoreTM battery shell is the patent-pending EmLEDTM display for resilient battery monitoring.
- The innovative NexCore casing compound offers unparalleled protection against impacts and vibrations.
- Boasts a wrap-around LED gauge for effortless battery status monitoring from any angle on set.
- Integrated with Voltbridge iD, NANOX revolutionizes battery monitoring with smartphone compatibility.
- Up to 100w USB-C Power Delivery integration ensures streamlined workflows and compatibility with production gear.
- Premium cells guarantee seamless operation in extreme temperatures, ensuring reliability in any environment.
NANO X MICRO 150 Specifications
Capacity: 150Wh(14.8v, 10.2Ah)
Output to Camera/Ptap: DC 11-16.8v
USB-C PD Charge Input: Up to 100w
USB-C PD Output: DC 5v/9v/15v/20v, 45w
USB-A Output: DC 5v,3A
Size: 2.83” x 3.93” x 2.63”
Weight: 1.6 lbs.
Normal Runtime: (25w) 3.6hrs.
Load: 12A
Price & Availability
The NANO X Micro 98 Series retails for $285 USD, and the NANO X Micro 150 Series retails for $395 USD Both will be available in mid-March.
Final Thoughts
There is a lot to like about the new Core SWX NANO X Micro. I like my OG NANO Micro a lot as they are compact. Now, the NANO X Micro adds USB-C recharging and 100W device charging that is compatible with fast charging an Apple MacBook Pro M series laptop. The slightly larger size isn’t an issue. I wouldn’t have noticed if I didn’t put them side by side.
