Third-party replacement or regenerated original Leica?
Axis Baterie · Updated:
A third-party Leica battery is cheaper than a new original, but it differs in housing, electronics and cell quality, which are hard to verify before purchase. Regeneration keeps the original Leica housing and BMS and replaces only the cells. As a result the battery fits the total station and the charger like a factory one, and its price stays close to that of a third-party pack.
What to look out for with a third-party pack
- Housing fit. Non-original housings can fit less well, which may cause play in the slot, difficulty removing the battery or a weaker latch.
- Electronics. A third-party pack has its own cell management circuit. It may communicate differently with the total station and the charger, which shows up, for example, as an inaccurate charge indicator.
- Cells. The manufacturer and specification of the cells are often not given, and the claimed capacity does not always match the real one.
- Responsibility. With a high-value instrument, the risk of a battery of unknown origin is hard to accept.
Comparison of the options
| Third-party pack | Regenerated original | |
|---|---|---|
| Housing and latches | non-original | original Leica |
| BMS electronics | non-original | original Leica, calibrated |
| Cells | often unspecified | branded high-current cells |
| Compatibility with GKL chargers | depends on the model | full |
| Charge indicator | can be inaccurate | matches reality |
| Test before shipping | depends on the seller | load test of every pack |
| Warranty | from the seller | 12 months |
Why the original electronics matter
The Leica BMS handles cell protection, communication with the charger and the charge level data shown by the total station. By keeping it, we keep the factory protections and full compatibility with GKL211, GKL221 and GKL311 chargers. For the GEB334 battery this matters even more: new GEB334 units require current firmware in, among others, the CS20 controller, and a regenerated battery is recognised by the controller exactly as before regeneration.
Cost
Leica battery regeneration costs from 30 € to 88 €, depending on the model and capacity. The full price list and a comparison with the price of a new original are in the article on the cost of regeneration.
Good to know
- Axis Baterie is an independent service, not affiliated with Leica Geosystems AG or Hexagon AB. Leica, GEB, FlexLine, Viva and Captivate are trademarks of their respective owners.
FAQ
- Is a regenerated battery more expensive than a third-party one?
- The prices are similar. Regeneration costs from 30 € to 88 € depending on the model and capacity, and it keeps the original Leica housing and electronics.
- Will the total station recognise a regenerated battery?
- Yes. We keep the original BMS, so the total station and the charger recognise the battery exactly as before regeneration.
- Does a regenerated battery come with a warranty?
- Yes, a 12-month warranty on the regeneration.