Totally agree with everything you say here. Fortunately I bought a secondhand manufacturer’s version so it cost me ‘only’ £70. But as you say it’s totally hit or miss if you hit the charging spot.
One od the commenter in anoher Q3 video make a good point, you can see it as the lens align at the center with the pad instead of the whole camera body
I purchased the Choetech 5 Coil charging pad based upon your comment, but unfortunately it doesn't appear to provide the manufacturer's quoted output. The Q3's LED is supposed to flash green whilst charging and steady green when charging is complete. Using the Choetech all I get is flashing red, which indicates its not receiving a fast charge (maybe it is charging, but not quickly)? Leica's official charging pad will show the Q3's LED flashing green / steady green when the camera is correctly positioned and flashing red when slightly out of position and no light at all when too far out of position. The two chargers I have found work well, providing the camera is correctly positioned, are the Native Union Drop XL (who also make the 'Leica' version) and the Zens Liberty 16 Coil charger (I use the glass version so that I can see where the charging coils are located). I have tried other cheaper charging pads and have had the same results as the Choetek 5 coil, no matter what exotic PSU I've used i.e. a red rather than green flashing light on the Q3. Demo of Choetech:- ua-cam.com/video/tBRq57vpUM4/v-deo.html Demo of the Zens Liberty (Glass):- ua-cam.com/video/-Ah--TI4bP8/v-deo.html
Alex or anyone else--I'm using a Samsung charging pad, and I have no issues getting the Q3 charging LED to blink red, presumably indicating it is charging. I'll come back after a while, and see the LED flashing red rapidly. I thought this must mean the battery is fully charged, but I see that it isn't...I can't find any documentation indicating what a rapidly blinking red LED on the camera means when wirelessly charging. Come to think of it, I've seen it while charging with a USB cable too.
I would give Leica a call and ask for advice, but what you are seeing doesn't sound right. I have the Native Union charging pad and if the grip is in the 'correct' position, the LED on the back of the camera slowly flashes 'Green'. Once the battery is completely charged, the LED on the back of the camera stays 'Green' constantly, without flashing. If I have the camera slightly out of the correct position on the charge pad, I see a 'Red' flashing light, which from my POV suggests that it is receiving insufficient charge. I have also seen the same with a cheap charging pad, which could not deliver sufficient Amps.
Indeed a total piece of shit. I tried to make it work for half an hour and it just doesn’t charge. Will return it to shop as well. Shame on Leica to sell this
Which options do you recommend ?
Well done, and thank you for this review.
Well done for calling this out
Totally agree with everything you say here. Fortunately I bought a secondhand manufacturer’s version so it cost me ‘only’ £70. But as you say it’s totally hit or miss if you hit the charging spot.
It would be nice to see a follow up video to this with a more suitable charging pad tested
It would be awesome if they made a half case with the charging capabilities for ppl who prefer to use a case over a grip
Do you know of a charging pad that will work? I bought the grip before doing my homework.
Need German precision to get it to charge.....I Got the thumb grip and tbh the quality doesn't feel worth it too
One od the commenter in anoher Q3 video make a good point, you can see it as the lens align at the center with the pad instead of the whole camera body
Hi. Would you recommend getting the HG-DC1 or the thumb grip first?
Thumb Grip! It’s the most important accessory for me, helps so much with the grip.
Try to get the 5 coil Choeteck It works perfect with the Leica Grip and the camera fits perfect in the middle … and works instantly …
I purchased the Choetech 5 Coil charging pad based upon your comment, but unfortunately it doesn't appear to provide the manufacturer's quoted output. The Q3's LED is supposed to flash green whilst charging and steady green when charging is complete. Using the Choetech all I get is flashing red, which indicates its not receiving a fast charge (maybe it is charging, but not quickly)?
Leica's official charging pad will show the Q3's LED flashing green / steady green when the camera is correctly positioned and flashing red when slightly out of position and no light at all when too far out of position.
The two chargers I have found work well, providing the camera is correctly positioned, are the Native Union Drop XL (who also make the 'Leica' version) and the Zens Liberty 16 Coil charger (I use the glass version so that I can see where the charging coils are located).
I have tried other cheaper charging pads and have had the same results as the Choetek 5 coil, no matter what exotic PSU I've used i.e. a red rather than green flashing light on the Q3.
Demo of Choetech:- ua-cam.com/video/tBRq57vpUM4/v-deo.html
Demo of the Zens Liberty (Glass):- ua-cam.com/video/-Ah--TI4bP8/v-deo.html
Anyone know what it means when the Leica Q3 pulses red when charging on a Qi charger? I tried the Tesla 30 coils charger and got that …
Excellent, thanks.
Alex or anyone else--I'm using a Samsung charging pad, and I have no issues getting the Q3 charging LED to blink red, presumably indicating it is charging. I'll come back after a while, and see the LED flashing red rapidly. I thought this must mean the battery is fully charged, but I see that it isn't...I can't find any documentation indicating what a rapidly blinking red LED on the camera means when wirelessly charging. Come to think of it, I've seen it while charging with a USB cable too.
I would give Leica a call and ask for advice, but what you are seeing doesn't sound right. I have the Native Union charging pad and if the grip is in the 'correct' position, the LED on the back of the camera slowly flashes 'Green'. Once the battery is completely charged, the LED on the back of the camera stays 'Green' constantly, without flashing.
If I have the camera slightly out of the correct position on the charge pad, I see a 'Red' flashing light, which from my POV suggests that it is receiving insufficient charge. I have also seen the same with a cheap charging pad, which could not deliver sufficient Amps.
My experience to. Red is not correct position- flashing green is.
Can I send my Q3 grip for your review?
How about just using the USB-C to charge the Q3?
This has been my preferred method since owning the camera.
Thanks for the review. Just removed it from my shopping cart.
This is screaming for a custom fit 3d printed pad.
If only they could make a device to hold an additional battery that would charge while you're out shooting.......Hmmmmmm!
thanks for the review, luckily I didn't buy it
😣 *Promosm*
Could you at least pronounce Wetzlar properly. The W in German sounds like a V. Vetzlar.
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Sloppy crap for a premium brand
Indeed a total piece of shit. I tried to make it work for half an hour and it just doesn’t charge. Will return it to shop as well. Shame on Leica to sell this