I love my Reveni Meter, I hate my Reveni Meter

[madNbad]

I've owned a Reveni meter since shortly after their introduction. The first one was bought from someone who backed the Kickstarter but was less than impressed when the meter arrived. I was pleased with the accuracy when compared to more full featured meters. I liked it enough to purchase the updated version with some hopes for improvement. The meter is convenient, it weighs next to nothing, the OLED screen is easy to read and I'm even use to the finicky, tiny buttons. It matches the Sekonic's I've owned in every lighting situation and it's angle of acceptance is great when working with wide angle lenses. The frustration is battery life. I have tried any number of different LR44's and the variants and still end up with a meter that is everything I want but only works consistantly with a fresh battery. I've done the press and hold for the reading button to wake it up which works for a while. I've had it read for a while then refuse to do anything except flash a reading then the screen will go blank. I've been in contact with the developers about these concerns and keep hoping for an update. I can't help to think if they had based it on a CR3032 how much better the meter would have been. I keep a Sekonic 398 in my bag and always carry a couple of spare batteries before heading out. Like many things, it's so close but not quite.

 

[Donald Qualls]

the OLED screen is easy to read

Number one battery drain in a modern cell phone is the display. That OLED probably uses as much power (from a couple tiny button cells) in a half dozen readings as the meter cell and a d'Arsonval meter movement would consume in five years. If they'd sell the Reveni with a rechargeable lithium battery (and the required smart charger), it'd have three or four times the working life and wouldn't cost you a couple bucks every time you go out -- and if they use an off the shelf cell, it'll only cost ten or fifteen dollars in several years when it needs a new cell.

 

[madNbad]

I don't have a Reveni meter and have not been enthused about it. My main dislike is having to rely on two eyes to use it, at least that is what I saw in a demonstration video. The 'too many battery replacement issue' happens with a lot of photography equipment. I have listened to friends (and students) complaining about their pocket cameras eating batteries. I would say to them: "look at the size of the battery; a small camera needs a tiny battery, thus not a lot of stored energy," etc. From what I saw in the demo video, the Reveni meter is tiny; the battery has to be even tinier.

The smallest light meter I have is the Metered Light Pocket Spot which uses the 6V PX28 battery. I have had the meter for at least 10 years and have replaced the battery only once. It does not have a lot of electronic driven info lighting up. I use the meter a few times a month when out shooting in the landscape. My Pentax Digital Spotmeter does not use much battery juice either, nor my Minolta Spotmeter F. The meter I have that eats batteries the most is my Sekonic L-558R, but I use it about 3x a week in the studio so I can't complain as it is a workhorse. The L-558R has more electronics lighting up info than the other meters mentioned, and can fire the studio lights remotely, thus relying more on battery usage.

Hopefully Reveni reads people's user experiences and learns what is needed. My guess is it will be a slightly larger meter to accommodate a larger capacity battery.

Best to you,
Darr

Different meter, mine is the original reflective cube.

 

[madNbad]

Number one battery drain in a modern cell phone is the display. That OLED probably uses as much power (from a couple tiny button cells) in a half dozen readings as the meter cell and a d'Arsonval meter movement would consume in five years. If they'd sell the Reveni with a rechargeable lithium battery (and the required smart charger), it'd have three or four times the working life and wouldn't cost you a couple bucks every time you go out -- and if they use an off the shelf cell, it'll only cost ten or fifteen dollars in several years when it needs a new cell.

That why I thought if they had made it just a tad larger to accommodate a larger battery, that would have helped. I'm hoping they move to a rechargeable cell, I'll ask again about it.

 

[MattKing]

Have you tried an SR44 battery?

 

[Steven Lee]

I wonder if recent advances in solar panel tech enable a "new selenium" type of a meter which does not require a battery. 6-15EV range would be enough for me.

I am not a member of the mechanical-everything junta, I am just lazy. Not having the mental overhead of carrying spare batteries or charging would be great.

 

[madNbad]

Have you tried an SR44 battery?

Matt Bechberger recommends using alkaline battery over the silver oxides because the alkaline's provide more power. I've tried A76 from Duracell, Energizer and some off brand. LR44 from the local Interstate battery and Amazon. I have tried removing the battery tray every time I put the meter away. I just sent them a question about this and will be interested to see if the answer is any different this time. I love the meter and like supporting a small business that is providing a product that keeps the old cameras going. To answer your question, yes I have tried the SR44's and the result was about the same.

 

[madNbad]

As an addendum, just for reference, the Sekonic 308U has had the same AA battery in since I bought it two years ago. Lights right up and is and is alway ready.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have both battery powered and selenium meters, unless shooting at dawn, night where my Gossen with SBC cell excels, my old GE and Weston Master VI work just as well. The GE with hood off actually does pretty well in dim light. I also like the dial as I get all the information in glance. Although much larger and heavier that a Reveni much cheaper to operate.

 

[gone]

I wonder if recent advances in solar panel tech enable a "new selenium" type of a meter which does not require a battery. 6-15EV range would be enough for me.

I had a Gossen Pilot selenium meter that was very accurate even in low light. The old selenium meters are a product of how they were stored. If you can find one that's spent most of it's life living on the top shelf of a closet, chances are you'll have a good one.

 

[madNbad]

I had a Gossen Pilot selenium meter that was very accurate even in low light. The old selenium meters are a product of how they were stored. If you can find one that's spent most of it's life living on the top shelf of a closet, chances are you'll have a good one.

I have a Gossen Pilot my oldest brother bought new in 1964. It's alway been in the gray clamshell case, the only thing ever changed was when the original cord strap finally frayed to the point of needing replacement and it still matches the Sekonic 308 for readings.

 

[madNbad]

Just heard back from Reveni, they have tried everything, too, with the same results I've been getting. Matt Bechberger is finding the problem stems from the small battery and any changes would have made the meter larger. The other problem with the small battery, it dosn't provide enough power to run a "sleep state" and, unbeknownst to me, leakage is also another thing they are dealing with. He also stated they looked at rechargeable lithium ion cells but felt the lifespan was too short. I will continue to be a supporter of Reveni labs, these are bright people and I'm looking forward to the next generation of reflective meters. For the present, the Sekonic 308 is back in the bag.

 

[Sirius Glass]

As an addendum, just for reference, the Sekonic 308U has had the same AA battery in since I bought it two years ago. Lights right up and is and is alway ready.

It has been so long that your posting pushed me to find the manual for my Sekonic L-308S to check on how to change the battery whenever it gets to the point that I need to.

 

[logan2z]

It has been so long that your posting pushed me to find the manual for my Sekonic L-308S to check on how to change the battery whenever it gets to the point that I need to.

Same here, I think I've only changed the batteries once in mine in nearly 5 years.

I've thought about trying the Reveni spot meter but the battery life thing has put me off (and it kind of looks really cheap)

 

[Sirius Glass]

It has been so long that your posting pushed me to find the manual for my Sekonic L-308S to check on how to change the battery whenever it gets to the point that I need to.

Eight years without a change so far.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I took one out and put it through its paces a couple months ago. Video is on YouTube. It belongs to a friend of mine. The batteries died after about ten minutes, farting around with it at the kitchen table. I brought it back to him, and he put on an external battery pack. It holds two AA batteries. Had no battery issues after that.

 

[madNbad]

I took one out and put it through its paces a couple months ago. Video is on YouTube. It belongs to a friend of mine. The batteries died after about ten minutes, farting around with it at the kitchen table. I brought it back to him, and he put on an external battery pack. It holds two AA batteries. Had no battery issues after that.

That's the spot meter not the original sugar cube sized reflective meter. One of the ideas mentioned in the response from Reveni was the idea of increasing the height to accommodate a single AAA battery. I hope they try it and I would be willing to be a beta tester!

 

[Donald Qualls]

they looked at rechargeable lithium ion cells but felt the lifespan was too short.

An option I see (which is sometimes replaced by 2LR44 packs for economy) is a CR1/3N -- this is a lithium primary (non-rechargeable) 3V cell, and at the least ought to last several times as long as alkaline LR44 cells. Price similar to SR44 -- I see them on Amazon for $9 per 5-pack. Not rechargeable, but ought to go longer between replacements at not much greater cost. I also see rechargeable versions, one shows as $19 for four cells and a USB powered charger. Note these cells are a drop-in dimensionally if the Reveni stacks the cells, but depending on the circuitry in the Reveni meter, may or may not read accurately (I suspect they'll be find, since alkalines have a pretty steep discharge curve).

 

[madNbad]

An option I see (which is sometimes replaced by 2LR44 packs for economy) is a CR1/3N -- this is a lithium primary (non-rechargeable) 3V cell, and at the least ought to last several times as long as alkaline LR44 cells. Price similar to SR44 -- I see them on Amazon for $9 per 5-pack. Not rechargeable, but ought to go longer between replacements at not much greater cost. I also see rechargeable versions, one shows as $19 for four cells and a USB powered charger. Note these cells are a drop-in dimensionally if the Reveni stacks the cells, but depending on the circuitry in the Reveni meter, may or may not read accurately (I suspect they'll be find, since alkalines have a pretty steep discharge curve).

The little reflective meter uses a single LR44, which is the root of the problem. It provides enough power to run the meter but not quite enough to power a change in circuitry that would allow for a better sleep cycle. In essence, the meter is on all the time. The developers in their email stated they had looked into using rechargeable lithium ion batteries like the ones found in ear buds but found they are only affordable if bought in very large quantities. The CR1/3N is a great choice if they restructure the meter body to hold a larger battery. They were my first choice of battery for the M6 TTL.

 

[Donald Qualls]

single LR44

I see this as a significant design error. Power-hungry OLED display, not enough power for a power saver circuit, and a battery that will just about run an electronic watch for a year... Three strikes. All governed by putting size ahead of function.

I'm no electronics/microcircuit wizard, but E-ink or even conventional monochrome LCD would have seemed a better choice for display -- though E-ink might require enough processor circuitry to overtax the battery, too. Accepting a device the size of common 1950s shoe mount meters would have been fine, IMO -- and would have allowed 2LR44 or even a single AAA.

 

[Alan9940]

I have what I guess could be called the v1 "sugar cube" Reveni meter and I've never experienced any issues with battery life. I don't use that meter all that often but, when I do, I pop in the battery, use it for a day of shooting, then remove the battery for storage. I think I'm still on the original battery that came with the meter!

Now, the spot meter on the other hand eats batteries for lunch. I'd bet that's one of the reasons Matt came out with an external battery holder that I believe holds two AAA batteries. Per Matt's recommendation, I buy cards of the off-brand cells and carry spares. Don't like the environmental impact of tossing these in the trash so I collect 'em and recycle.

 

[DWThomas]

Been observing this thread with some amusement. As to "sleep mode," many, many years ago a friend had an early TI calculator that bragged about sleep mode to conserve power. It ate batteries at an alarming rate. Yers Trooly instrumented the battery compartment and found the beast drew about 22 ma when operating. When "sleep" kicked in, the current jumped to 48 ma! My Gossen Digisix uses a CR2032 cell, but I've settled on taking the battery out when not using it, as when there's a month or two between uses, one can just assume a new battery will be needed.

Latest toy here is a smartphone tripod adapter with a little BlueTooth fob, about 1/3 the size of a domino, that can work as a remote. When I got it, it worked well. Last attempt, a month or so later, the little LED indicator flashed, but connection-wise, no joy. New battery fixed it, an aspirin-sized CR1220 3v cell that goes for a mere $4.99 at my local Ace Hardware! 'Spensive these here tech toys.

 

[bags27]

I have what I guess could be called the v1 "sugar cube" Reveni meter and I've never experienced any issues with battery life. I don't use that meter all that often but, when I do, I pop in the battery, use it for a day of shooting, then remove the battery for storage. I think I'm still on the original battery that came with the meter!

Now, the spot meter on the other hand eats batteries for lunch. I'd bet that's one of the reasons Matt came out with an external battery holder that I believe holds two AAA batteries. Per Matt's recommendation, I buy cards of the off-brand cells and carry spares. Don't like the environmental impact of tossing these in the trash so I collect 'em and recycle.

I got the external battery holder for the spot meter, and now it's terrific. Very, very highly recommended! But there is a yellow spotting issue on some meters (including mine) that Matt is addressing.

From my various encounters with him, he seems like a great and clever guy, willing & eager to be helpful and address problems. He's not a big company: he's just someone trying to build a better mousetrap with available technology. So, I'm happy to support him.

 

[madNbad]

I got the external battery holder for the spot meter, and now it's terrific. Very, very highly recommended! But there is a yellow spotting issue on some meters (including mine) that Matt is addressing.

From my various encounters with him, he seems like a great and clever guy, willing & eager to be helpful and address problems. He's not a big company: he's just someone trying to build a better mousetrap with available technology. So, I'm happy to support him.

I couldn’t agree more! Very responsive to inquires and working to resolve the problem. I can’t quite bring myself to stashing the Reveni away so I moved it to a lanyard. Makes it easy to drop in a pocket when heading out with the Retina.

 

[Steven Lee]

My Gossen Digisix uses a CR2032 cell, but I've settled on taking the battery out when not using it, as when there's a month or two between uses, one can just assume a new battery will be needed.

Same thing happened to me. Bought the Gossen Digisix and the battery died within 2-3 months. However, once I replaced it's been over a year and it's still going strong. Maybe the factory batteries aren't good, or maybe they were manufactured years ago and still selling the old stock.