A Few of My Favorite Things For 2024

Last year I shared a few of my favorite things that I added to my kit in 2023.
For 2024 I felt I had a few more things worth sharing. These might be new to you or something you've added to your kit as well.

SmallRig NP-F970

Before these were around I defaulted to the reasonably priced PowerExtra NP-F 970s but after buying them a few times I've noticed their lifespan isn't what it used to be. I've bought a 2-pack 3 times now and the latest purchase is barely out preforming the original set that had many many cycles on them. So I went looking for greener pastures. Which landed me on the SmallRig version. I have been super happy with these. They have a stated capacity of 10500mAh/ 76.65Wh. Can be charged over USB-C, have 36W PD output and a LCD readout. While they are a bit bulkier and heavier than what they are replacing in my kit. Their added capacity means I can go a full day without swapping on out on my iPads or Hollyland transmitter. So it's worth it for me.

SmallRig Camera Batteries

Continuing with batteries. I've replaced all my Canon LP-E6 variants with the SmallRig version. Not only are they a higher capacity (2400mah) for a longer life they offer USB-C charging as well. It's worth noting, if you aren't a Canon user or work with people shooting Nikon, Fuji or Sony SmallRig offers a version for those as well.

Anker 2-in-1 Cable

This cable does what no other cable has been able to do as far as I know. It can charge 2 devices from a single PD source and to top it off if you connect/disconnect of of the devices it doesn't disconnect the other. As with my multi-port USB-C charger if you disconnect one device it disconnects the others for a second to renegotiate PD.
This cable supports PD 3.1 up to 140W so you can have one device charging at 100W and another at 40W from a single 140W port on a charger. This lives in my backpack along with a UGreen GaN charger.


Turbine Jet Blower

I've seen these blowers online for awhile now. I've also seen instructions on how to DIY your own with a list of the parts and STLs to print your own. While I like to make my own stuff when possible I opted to just buy one. For the size these things pack a punch! I'd say they rival a Makita blower.
Inside is a charge controller, switch, battery pack, motor and turbine. The motor is essential a brushless motor you'd find drone or Dyson vacuum. The turbine is CNC machined from aluminum so it can handle the +100,000RPMs! There's a few varieties of these out there and I went for one with variable speed since full blast wouldn't be great for all scenarios. It also charges over USB-C You can get these on Amazon, ebay or Aliexpress, there's no particular brand to go with. The version I have has two sizes of nozzles that attach magnetically.


LVNA M.A.P. System

You might have seen this one on set or on the Field Guide in the past. (check it out here) I covered it a few months back. It's new to the kit this year and has helped speed up setup/break down on set and replaced a bunch of my random organizer pouches and bags. It's also consolidated a lot of things.