Evaluation:  
Conclusion: Canon CPE3 Compact Battery Pack for Canon Speedlite Flash Units
Review: I really enjoy the recharging speed and long battery life that the Canon CPE3 Compact Battery Pack gives my Speedlite 580EX. I like the differnt options on how to carry the battery pack. I prefer wearing it in the horizontal position on my pants belt. Wearing it in the horizontal position doesn't interfere with sitting or kneeling. I would have given it a 5 star rating if the internal battery pack magazine was built with a more sturdy plastic.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Great Product, Poor Construction
Review: I love having this item to boost the life and speed up the recycle times of my 580ex Speedlite. I use it strapped to my belt with the included holster, and it hasn't gotten in my way nor made my hip bulky. For the service this product does, it is fantastic. Sadly, the build quality is light years behind...
The included tripod screw is a joke! I don't think it is even that practical, especially on a smaller camera like the Rebels. I think I threw my tripod screw away, as I had no intention of even trying out that ridiculous attachment to the bottom of my camera. The included belt holster works perfectly, and looks much better.
But, that's not the only gripe. My largest complaint with this item is the shoddy plastic construction. I know that if I ever dropped it, it would be history, the plastic is so weak. I know its weak because I've already broken a tab on the inside, meant to hold batteries into place. How did I break it? By changing a set of batteries. This thing is so weak, that changing batteries is enough pressure to cause the tabs to snap apart! In addition to the one that's broke, two are about to break, and they haven't broken fully because I've learned to be super cautious when changing batteries after the first one broke. This, after maybe 20 battery changes. Because of having to be careful, it is simply not possible to change batteries in a hasty situation.
For the quality, I'd think it was a low-quality third party knock off of a Canon item, but sadly, it is an actual Canon item. A huge thumbs down in having the nerve to charge so much for it!
However, despite the price, I do like those faster recycle times. It's been an expensive compromise. Sigh.
UPDATE: After about 50 battery changes, all but one of the interior tabs have broken. The batteries are free to jiggle a little bit, which fortunately hasn't led to problems in that regard, thanks to the shell holding them relatively in place. The holster that comes with the battery pack has also started to fail, and I've looked down to my belt to see that one of the straps has popped open and the battery pack is about to fall and hit the ground, which as I mentioned before, would outright kill the pack. I have to downgrade my rating to 2/5.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: battery tabs break too easy.
Review: This product does indeed give you fast recycle times, and lots of them, but in my opinion a product is only as good as it's weakest part. For the CPE3, the weak link is the little tabs that keep the double AAs in place. They are about as sturdy as one of those plastic sword toothpicks. Honestly, I had heard these things break off and so was extremely careful in loading and unloading the batteries. But after maybe six battery change overs, I now have 3 broken tabs.
CANON FOLKS!!! ARE YOU LISTENING? Spank your engineers for allowing such a weak plastic tab in an otherwise good product.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Great addition to shooting with a flash!!
Review: Great addition!! My recycle time for my on board 580 flash is excellent!! At full power I can shoot on shot after another without having to wait for the flash to recycle!
Would recommend if using flash alot.
Todd
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Evaluation:
Conclusion: cheap plastic
Review: The battery magazine is made from brittle plastic that will self distruct during the first few loadings.
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