Well if you can fit in a rucksack you're welcome to come.

Oh Brilliant!!!

Smashing stuff - Now look out for that Yellow Royal Mail Card non-delivery card. My chumps in London didn't leave me one!! Check to make sure if it getting delvered make sure:

1 - You get a Recorded Delvery Number from Fotosense

2 - Do you know your local Royal Mail delivery point? And phone number?

3 - Did you get the HL 945 [ see my thread here abouts] ?

Brill - Grazie

Nah - I'm a wee bit bigger than a rucksack - only travel 1st Class inside suitcases ;-)

Grazie

I'll get it delivered to the office that way someone should be in. We've also got a Post Office next door so hopefully if someone does miss it, it will end up there.
Thanks for the warning though.


Peter

Cut some holes in the rucksack and make out you're one of those novelty bags from the Disney store that you see the kids wearing.

"A HandBAg!!" - "Yes, in the left luggage office of Worthing Railway Station!"

yuck yuck yuck . . . . .

Being fussy will get you know where

. . aint that "no where" not "know where" - ;-)

I've been currently looking through ebay to get a the Canon BP-945 battery, and all I can find is imported brands. Has anyone ever used these and if so, is the quality worse? Would it be safer to get the authentic canon battery or would it be safe to go with the import? Any help would be greatly appreciated. (Use on a GL2, which I'll hopefully get in a few days.)

I'm using two import batteries that I got off eBay for just over $40, shipped. They run long and well. If I only get half the useful life of Canon's batteries, I'm still coming out ahead.

Edit: That is $40 a piece.

These guys batteries seem to work fine too -
http://www.sabahoceanic.com/

I am using two of the 3700Mah batteries from Sabah and I have a 5500 on order from another ebay store. I think I paid less than 40 for this new 5500 and the retail is something like 140 for a big canon brand so I can replace this almost 4 times before I've "lost" money. they may not be as high a quality and may not last as long, but I'm guessing they'll last almost as long and I think they are a great deal so I don't even think about ordering canon batteries. Currently my two 3rd party Sabah batteries are doing great.

Well, I just won a bid for a BP-945 battery from eagle imports off ebay for $30 with 6 dollars shipping (the battery that lasts 3 hours). Thanks for all the help and replies, hopefully my battery will come out just as good.

Hmmm. I'm just using the bp-915 that came with my gl2 and 2 energizer batteries that are about 2-3 hours each. So I have more than enough battery power for filming rollerblading each day.

I ordered 3 of those batts. from eBay. Gotta say that I love them. Used 1 for 2 days of shooting and then to review 45 min of the tape on a tv.

I had the LCD open most of the time, the Vi3 light on for 1 hour one night and a Senni mic.

Sill at 1/2. Im impressed. Don't even need to use another one yet.

The batteries from eagle imports are great! I've ordered 2 bp945's from them. They run long and I have had no problems. Plus they're local. It's a lot better than paying 100$+ for the same battery.

V

https://secure.xl1s.com/cgi-bin/shop/commerce.cgi?product=canbat&cart_id=9070334.18928

Anyone think the bottom battery is any good?

Thanks

I've equiv. BP945 - HL945 - check out this site:

www.fotosense.co.uk/hahnel_batteries_canon.html

I've got 2 of these. I've used only one on a full wedding shoot. PLUS the use of the VL3. I left its chum in the bag all day.

Check out the HL945 discount on 2 of these "puppies". Also make sure the price is inc taxes and p+p!!!

Grazie

I have purchased two of the 5500 batteries from Eagle Imports ( I bought them a few months apart) for about $35 including shipping (each) and they seem just fine. I found them on ebay but they have a web site too. I can't say much other than the price is as good as Sabah and they batteries appear to be fine for now.

I also bough 2 batteries from eagle imports. I bought them about a month ago. They're still going strong. For the price I would go with them.

V

Just wanted to see if anyone uses the BP-945 battery pack with the GL2, and if so, is it too big for the viewfinder to be used comfortably? The BP-945 appears to be fairly long, so I'm wondering if it's difficult or uncomfortable to position your eye/face behind the viewfinder with a BP-945 connected to the camera. Thanks!

I use the generic equivalent of the BP 945. It's the same size and weight.

Yes, it is bigger and did take some getting used to, but I don't even realize now it's in the way.

I actually like the added weight of that bigger battery to help hand hold the camera a little steadier.

You can run the GL2 all day on one of those things too.

Mike Avery

Not at all, as Mike said, you'll become used to it and not even notice it after a short amount of time. I've been using it for about 5 months and I've never had a problem with it getting in the way.

I actually prefer using the big batteries. It gives me another point for stabilization. I rest my cheek right on the battery and that positions it perfectly away from the viewfinder. It is great from someone with glasses, because it keeps the pressure off of the eyeglasses.

In a earlier post someone mentioned (Aaron Koolen) some alternatives to the Canon batteries that are good, cheaper, and won't ruin your camera. Can you give me some links of which batteries they are and where to buy them??

Thanks

I myself use the batteries offered from http://www.studio1productions.com. I use the equivalent of the BP-945, their LIC-941. This battery is 5500mAh, as opposed to the Canon BP-945, which is 4500mAh. Which is supposed to indicate longer battery life. I have not done conclusive tests on this, however.

But rest assured this is a good battery that lasts very long even with steady LCD usage, and will not blow up your camcorder!

I purchased a Lenmar LIC941 battery
from Zotz Digital (One of this sites sponsors). It is a 5500mah battery. I have used it at 2 weddings and it works great. Costs much less than the Canon version

www.zotzdigital.com

Phil

anyone know about energizer batteries. I purchased a few of those way back. Like the 2 hour ones and they seem to be working quite well. Although sometimes after I charge it fully it says I only have 1/4th battery left. Weird, anyway, later.

I got the Power200 version of the BP945

Site sponsor, B&H have it here

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh6/controller/home?BI=155&O=&A=ShowProduct&Q=&sku=227259

It's been a fine battery for the 11 months I've had it so far. It lasts forever - couldn't give you an exact time, several hours.

The only thing I don't like and I'm not sure this is a battery issues as it might be an XM2 issue, is that the life indicator isn't the most accurate, in that after a short while the first "notch" will disappear and the thing might look like it's sitting on half for an eternity. Have no other experience to see whether this is normal or not.

Cheers
Aaron

I second Aaron's recommendation. I have quite a few of the Power 2000's and they've had excellent longevity.

The Lenmars are also an excellent brand with a good reputation.

I bought 2 BP941-like (5500mAh) from Sabah Oceanic more than a year ago.
They sell them now for $38 each.
I always run out of tape or light before camera battery ;)

http://www.sabahoceanic.com/vcanon.html

Dany

Hello everyone, well this is my first post....

I recently purchased some batteries from http://www.batteryvalues.com. They were a lot cheaper than the ones from canon, and after a weeks use, they seem to work ok. Will need to see overall life.

Here is the complete link if anyones interested !
http://www.batteryvalues.com/modelselect.asp?Model=1466302

good luck....

I just got a Lenmar 941 5500mah for my GL2 from here http://www.aaxes.net/products.mpl?act=pd&id=2002-07-15_3738&ref=pgrab for $56.95, quick service, no problems. I haven't tried the Power 2000's (945) from B&H , I figure I'll get another lenmar as this one run's almost forever (but still can't match a Sony :~( .)

Thank's guys, now I have lots of options, all cheaper than the ones direct from Canon.

AtBatt.com has the best I've seen, and you can get the 7-8 hour batt for $74.99. They also have a car/home rapid charger for $34.99 and FREE SHIPPING!

I bought two about a year ago and I've never had a problem.

Just looking through E-bay and I was wondering if anyone here has used these batteries for the GL2 and has any positive or negative comments about them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2963876630&category=48516

Thanks.

I'm have used that that type, but I've seen them at walmart before. If they are 8 hour batteries, they are usually large bricks. That one doesn't appear to be "brick like". Hope that helps.

i have similar third party 5500 mAh batteries for my gl2 that work just great. I don't know this vendor or this particular battery but Canon asked an incredible price for their larger capacity batteries so buying such third party batteries is generally a very good deal.

If you want really good batteries, check ebay for Batt_inc , they are really cheap and really effective. I bought 2 of them already and they work perfectly and long. I'm not sure about 8 hours, but Canon claims 3 hours max on their 945 I think. Maybe 8 hours of simply watching tapes...who knows. I've never timed the battery anyhow, but I've never had to change the big boys out while filming unless it was a different day without the full charge.

Thanks guys, I'm still kind of wary to buy them. I was hoping for someone who has purchased them and used them for a while and said they were OK. It took me a long time to save up for my GL2 and I don't want to ruin it by getting a cheap battery and having it cause some damage to the camera (not sure if that is even possible or not)

I live in Toronto Canada , at FutureShop they sell OPTEX L125 / 2 hour Lithium Ion battery for Canon GL2. Works great and the price is right, $49.00 .. Check it out..

I actually just bought one on a tip from someone else in these forums.

"I just got a Lenmar 941 5500mah for my GL2 from here
http://www.aaxes.net/products.mpl?act=pd&id=2002-07-15_3738&ref=pgrab for $56.95, quick service, no problems."

I bought two of off ebay and ive only been using them for about a month and they work great

Hello!

I've lurked these very informative boards for what seems forever....and recently bought a GL2. Mods, if I have posted this in the wrong forum or there is another thread going that answers my question...please point me in that direction.

I decided to buy an extended use battery on ebay. I bought what was advertised as the equivalent to the Canon BP-945. I received the battery a few days ago and noticed that the battery says it is a "7.4 volt 5700mAH". The BP-945 is advertised as "7.2" volt". I am worried that if I use the slighly higher powered aftermarkert battery on my GL2...it may damage my camera.

Any advice is greatly appreciated......

Hello and Welcome, Dennis.

No problem with the 7.4v rating on that battery. The nominal voltage of the GL2 is, indeed, 7.2v. But onboard voltage regulators take care of such minor variances.

Lenmar is one of the leading 3rd party battery manufacturers for camcorders. Take a browse through some of their Canon camcorder products (http://www.lenmar.com/product_list.asp?product=camcorder&type=batteries&manufacturer=Canon&category=3) and you'll see a variety of voltages. (Note that not all of these batteries are compatible with the GL2.)

The Li-ion batteries are nominally 7.2 volts, but with a full, fresh charge it is more likely to measure about 8.2 volts, and when near discharged it is probably around 6.2 volts.

The 7.4 is probably marketing speak.

As Ken notes, the 7.4 should not be a problem.

Thanks for the info Don & Ken. That takes care of the concerns that I had about charging it up and using it. Now let me get back to lurking!

Hey all,

Just bought a Power 2000 BP-945 equivalent for my GL2 and was wondering if and where I could get a cover for the battery terminals, for when it's not in use?

Thanks.

I'm debating whether I should leave it (BP930s & BP945s) on the GL2 when I turn it off and have it idling or not. How do you guys approach this? I've also heard some crazy instances when changing the tape that accounted in battery/tape errors...

What is your routine for packing and getting the GL2 ready to shoot? I usually do: put batteries in first, turn on GL2, put the DV cassette in, then ready to roll!

I leave the battery on so I'am ready to shoot. All I need to do is load the tape and shoot. I have not had a problem yet doing this.