using non-canon batteries

[Jay Cowley]

I purchased a tiny 45min canon battery from Best Buy today for $110 and will be returning it soon, as these batteries are way to expensive. I'd like to check though to see if most people use 3rd party batteries with their canon camcorders? Does it make much a difference?

I've found all these ebay batteries for the camera, all for around $10 a buy-it-now price. They all seem to be from NY or Hong Kong.

What is this supposed to be? A scam? Or are these batteries really this cheap? Would these harm my camera in any way? Anyone else ordered these batteries, or what would be my best option? My original canon battery seems to be shot, i only got the camera 4 months ago, but canon insists batteries are only under warranty for 90 days, and I can't afford these expensive batteries made directly by canon.

[Jack Walker]

Check out our trusted sponsor B&H:

For the Canon HV20:

The larger battery, from Canon for $59.95:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ery_Pack_.html

The Impact brand replacement battery, same size, for $34.95:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...tery_Pack.html

I use the Impact batteries from B&H in my XH-A1 with no problem.

I wouldn't buy third party batteries on ebay for unrealistic low prices.

However, I figure it would be too much trouble for B&H to sell bad batteries, so I trust the Impact brand they sell is good.

On the other side, most of the sellers in your link have very good feedback with very high numbers of sales. The batteries probably won't hurt your camera, I don't think. The batteries might be fine. When you add in shipping charges, they aren't as cheap as they seem at first, but still cheaper than the B&H replacements.

If you buy one and it works, let us know. If it destroys your camera, let us know that, too.

[Austin Meyers]

i use a couple of impacts 2L14's with mine and they work great. i'm also using the battery charger that came with my rebel xt as a 2nd charger, it also works great.

[Joe Busch]

The ones I bought off Ebay performed exactly the same as the Impact battery I bought... Except one Ebay battery was a bit touchy, it wouldn't charge all of the time... alignment of the pins or something... I'd just put a different battery on, then try again... usually worked...

I'd never pay that much for a battery again, glad my Sony has a 6-8 hour battery... I was tired of changing tapes and batteries w/ my Hv10

[David Rice]

I have been buying discount generic batteries for years. For my HV10, Hv20, ZR65, GPS, and small radios. I have never had a problem with a generic battery.

Dave Rice

[Duane Steiner]

I have been using one made by Sakar (1500mAh) that I bought from Frys for $15 and one I got from Sterlingtek (1900mAh) for $33 with no problems.

[Tom Alexander]

Originally Posted by Duane Steiner

I have been using one made by Sakar (1500mAh) that I bought from Frys for $15 and one I got from Sterlingtek (1900mAh) for $33 with no problems.

I bought three 1800 mAH Sakar batteries (under the Digital Concepts name) for $11 each. I've been using them since April with no problems, and they run longer than the factory battery.