I dropped it around 4 weeks ago, and it fell on the tip of one of the corners, leaving a dent. I don't have a voltmeter lying around anywhere, but the leak scenario seems like a logical explanation for an otherwise bizarre and rapid death.

I was otherwise very impressed by the prices/quality of the batteries from www.sabahoceanic.com

I will post a new thread asking others on this forum who bought from that site if they have experienced any battery life problems. This should determine the problem and whether or not I should risk a 2nd purchase from the same business.

Thanks for the well informed and quick replies (as usual) fellas.