BP-2L18 battery ?

[Vicne]

Hi,
I noticed that many sites sell replacements for the BP-2L18 battery and claim it is compatible with the HV20. They rate it between 1800 and 2000mAh which is a serious improvement vs BP-2L14.
The problem is that I can't find that battery in the compatibility list and I can't even find traces of any genuine Canon BP-2L18. This reference just doesn't seem to exist (anymore?)...

Does anybody have more information about this reference and can someone confirm it actually works on the HV20 ?

Thanks.

Vicne

[bluegrass]

Hi,
I noticed that many sites sell replacements for the BP-2L18 battery and claim it is compatible with the HV20. They rate it between 1800 and 2000mAh which is a serious improvement vs BP-2L14.
The problem is that I can't find that battery in the compatibility list and I can't even find traces of any genuine Canon BP-2L18. This reference just doesn't seem to exist (anymore?)...

Does anybody have more information about this reference and can someone confirm it actually works on the HV20 ?

Thanks.

Vicne

I'm a computer tech and not a camera whiz but my experience with the Canon Elura 65 I had which uses identical batteries as the HV20 allows me to conjecture that as long as the phyical contacts and voltage of the battery matches the others for the HV20, you can be sure it will be OK to use. One caveat that I read about is that as the battery gets thicker, it can cause a problem with the use of the viewfinder above the battery. I never use the viewfinder, so it doesn't matter to me. Why don't you post a link to where this battery is available. I might just try one myself, if the price is reasonable. I bought several 1400s for my Elura along with several chargers. I think I paid about $20 for the batteries and chargers. I had no problems with after market Chinese batteries. I'm sure the quality doesn't match Canon but hey, they're a huge savings over an official Canon. I took Mal's advice though on a filter and wide angle lens and spent top dollar to get a known good quality. Whew, the Canon wide angle lens was like holding a chunk of lead in my hands. It came with front and back lens covers as well as a nice pouch to store it in.

[Vicne]

Hi and thanks for your reply,

I'm a computer tech and not a camera whiz but my experience with the Canon Elura 65 I had which uses identical batteries as the HV20 allows me to conjecture that as long as the phyical contacts and voltage of the battery matches the others for the HV20, you can be sure it will be OK to use.

Yes, that's my feeling too, but I'm wondering if that battery has ever existed as a genuine Canon one, and why no genuine equivalent can be found (anymore?). It's funny that they are selling copies of a non-existing item :-)

One caveat that I read about is that as the battery gets thicker, it can cause a problem with the use of the viewfinder above the battery.

Good point, indeed

Why don't you post a link to where this battery is available. I might just try one myself, if the price is reasonable.

My original post contained a link to a Google search for BP-2L18 which gives about 2000 results right now. eBay links get quickly out of date of course but here is one, but conventional on-line stores also have it : here or here, for example...

I bought several 1400s for my Elura along with several chargers. I think I paid about $20 for the batteries and chargers. I had no problems with after market Chinese batteries. I'm sure the quality doesn't match Canon but hey, they're a huge savings over an official Canon.

Yes, I think I'll go for one of them too...

I took Mal's advice though on a filter and wide angle lens and spent top dollar to get a known good quality. Whew, the Canon wide angle lens was like holding a chunk of lead in my hands. It came with front and back lens covers as well as a nice pouch to store it in.

Yes, a colleague has tested it at the NAB and told me it was really heavy and huge indeed, compared to the hv20 itself, and lead to uncomfortable shooting. Although, for indoor shooting or landscapes, a wide angle seems to be a must as the minimal (35mm equivalent) focal length is only about 43mm IIRC :-(

Kind regards,

Vicne

[24Peter]

The Canon wide angle WD-H43 takes some getting used to b/c it is so heavy relative to the camera, but after a few times shooting with it, you probably won't notice the difference. I don't at least and I'm leaving mine on all the time now.

[David Susilo]

to get 2000 mAh batteries, just go to sterlingtek.com and get their BP-2L14 replacement. I've personally tested the battery and it's 2000 mAh although it's listed as 1,900 mAh. The battery only cost $32 + applicable shipping.

I've been using Sterlingtek batteries for pro still-photo uses for the past 4 years and STILL using the same batteries I bought 4 years ago!

[ardo]

to get 2000 mAh batteries, just go to sterlingtek.com and get their BP-2L14 replacement. I've personally tested the battery and it's 2000 mAh although it's listed as 1,900 mAh. The battery only cost $32 + applicable shipping.

I've been using Sterlingtek batteries for pro still-photo uses for the past 4 years and STILL using the same batteries I bought 4 years ago!

You've almost convinced me, even though I think buying two no-name batteries for the price of one SterlingTek may still make sense. However, for those that are into SterlingTek, I suggest you check out their e-bay store. You'll find the same 1,900mAh BP-2L14 for $20 plus shipping...

[bluegrass]

I suggest you check out their e-bay store. You'll find the same 1,900mAh BP-2L14 for $20 plus shipping...

Did & just purchased two of them for $48.95 including shipping. It's funny how manufacturers keep changing the batteries required. Sometimes things go in a circle though. These same batteries work on my first Canon, the Elura 65. Thanks for the heads up. That's part of why I'm here. To hear the good news & learn.

By the way, I'm startin' to use the old equipment to document what I'm doin' with the new equipment. "have 3 camcorders, will travel". i call it shooting the shooter. i set up 1 camcorder to capture the stage and me shooting with my new camcorder. just turn it on once in awhile to help document what i'm doin' and provide another view I can edit in at postop. kind of a poor mans multi camera shoot i came up with. or i might get a friend or 2 to help with the other camera or cameras. i wouldn't waste a lot of film on the 2nd angle. just enough to add a little interest.

[ardo]

Did & just purchased two of them for $48.95 including shipping.

Good stuff. Too bad they don't combine shipping charges on e-bay (they do so on Sterlingtek.com), I also wanted to buy a charger & batteries for my old camera.

[moira]

I can't find any equivalent 2000 mAh batteries in NZ and was about to order a couple through sterlingtek ebay........but I'm nervous about their negative feedback, 9 in a month seems quite high.I see they have a gold award at /www.resellerratings.com/
I guess I take the risk, everyone here speaks highly of them.......but no response to emails is the main complaint as well as wrong item sent,I think I could be very annoyed

[David Susilo]

I can't find any equivalent 2000 mAh batteries in NZ and was about to order a couple through sterlingtek ebay........but I'm nervous about their negative feedback, 9 in a month seems quite high.I see they have a gold award at /www.resellerratings.com/
I guess I take the risk, everyone here speaks highly of them.......but no response to emails is the main complaint as well as wrong item sent,I think I could be very annoyed

9 in month compared to the number of business they have is not bad at all. But if you're trying to e-mail them... good luck. It's like pulling teeth. The phone support, however, is impeccable. I've never had to wait more than 30 seconds on hold.

Most of the times, however, there is no need to contact them at all. You order your stuff, you get your stuff, you test your stuff, you do the happy dance.

[moira]

Youre right of course David and I should be reading the positives
The batteries certainly sound better than the $112 canon ones.....I'll sleep on that and decide whether I need one or two.
Cheers

[David Susilo]

Youre right of course David and I should be reading the positives
The batteries certainly sound better than the $112 canon ones.....I'll sleep on that and decide whether I need one or two.
Cheers

just don't forget to do the happy dance later. Supposedly it prolongs the battery life

[moira]

just don't forget to do the happy dance later. Supposedly it prolongs the battery life

sure I will