Using aftermarket camcorder batteries

[mugs]

I can get a battery for $40 from Dell or $16-17 from these sites:

http://www.fatgadgets.com/ShowProd.asp?ProdId=151&ref=Google
http://www.digicamaccessories.com/ShowP...asp?ProdId=36&Search=Search&ref=Google

Neither is on resellerratings. Is it a bad idea to use a battery made by a third party in a video camera?

Usually I'd just figure you get what you pay for, but batteries seem like they could be like ink tanks for printers - not terribly expensive to make, and a way to make huge profits after the sale.

Edit:
This one claims to have 14.7% more capacity than the original (strange that they're so precise), but the specs show it actually has more than double the capacity:
http://www.ebatts.com/canon_optura_camcorder_batteries_part_b-972.aspx

 

[tami]

i've never had a problem with such batteries in digital cameras and my spare batteries are not from the original manufacturer. i'd suppose the same holds true for camcorders. has anyone actually experienced a problem?

the only problems i've heard of are aftermarket batteries in cell phones -- they apparently can explode.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: tami
the only problems i've heard of are aftermarket batteries in cell phones -- they apparently can explode.

That's why I was asking. I found a forum for DV cameras and apparantly they're generally fine, but if you go REAL cheap (i.e. 2 batteries for $5 on eBay) they'll suck.

 

[radioouman]

Get a quality battery from a known reseller. That is the only way to be safe.

 

[The_Dude8]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: tami
the only problems i've heard of are aftermarket batteries in cell phones -- they apparently can explode.

That's why I was asking. I found a forum for DV cameras and apparantly they're generally fine, but if you go REAL cheap (i.e. 2 batteries for $5 on eBay) they'll suck.

any good prices on battery for the optura 400, beside ebay? thanks

 

[Kanalua]

I bought a generic for my camcorder, didn't fit, waste of $20...actually, good when I need battery power and I'm not going to be moving the camcorder, like doing a long capture

 

[Viperoni]

Got a 1500mah battery pack to reaplce the stock 1200mah one in my Canon G1 off eBay a few months ago, works fine.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have an extended life battery for my Sony mini-DV camcorder. Works fine. I've had it for a few years now and it lasts 4 times longer than the smaller Sony battery the camcorder came with.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: The_Dude8

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: tami
the only problems i've heard of are aftermarket batteries in cell phones -- they apparently can explode.

That's why I was asking. I found a forum for DV cameras and apparantly they're generally fine, but if you go REAL cheap (i.e. 2 batteries for $5 on eBay) they'll suck.

any good prices on battery for the optura 400, beside ebay? thanks

I'm pretty sure yours uses the same as mine. I got this: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=BP-...=GGLD,GGLD:2004-40,GGLD:en&sa=N&tab=wf
I ordered it from Buy.com. It's double the capacity of the standard 720 mAh battery.