I want a couple of hi-cap batteries but dont want to pay a ton of cash. any ideas?

oh, ebay has a few 2400ah for $50-$60

For equivalent batteries (cells made in Japan, battery assembled elsewhere), check out http://www.sabahoceanic.com

If a remember right, the bigger on-cam batts for the 953 are rated 2700 or 2800mAh.

I know nothing about these batteries or the online store, but I was looking at these for my 953:

http://www.batteryvalues.com/modelselect.asp?Model=1820491

If you decide to get one, let me know if you are happy with it. It'll be a month or so before I'm able to order.

Hope this helps,

Brian

well, Ive been using this one for a couple months. Works flawlessly. Thanks for the tip Brian!

http://www.batteryvalues.com/product.asp?part=B-9524&Model=2405342&Manufacturer=194&use=7.2%20Volt%20Li-Ion%20Camcorder%20Battery