I'd like a new battery, but £100!!!

[downhillbiker]

Hello all.

After buying my nice wee panasonic LV50 portable player, and getting modded to MR, I have realised that the battery can go for the length of an average film. Now, that's ok for a long car journey, but I'd like to be able to watch more than one movie between plug points.
Although the Panasonic website dosn't have any batteries for their most recent dvd players, all the other players listed are paired with batteries that cost around the £100 mark!
I'm sorry, but that's plain ridiculous, it's a rechargable battery in an odd shaped plastic case!!!

What I'm asking is:
What are my options? Do I have to buy a hundred quid lump of lith-ion from Panasonic? Does anyone know anywhere where I could get it cheaper (2nd hand is a no-go, the damn things are only good for around 100 charges apparently!!!), or would it be possible for someone to craft a custom battery pack for me, that would either be cheaper, not die after 100 charges, or would give the player a longer running time?

I though this is a bit obscure, but I think it's a pretty major problem for anyone who has one of these players.

Cheers

[Bapapapa]

Just seen the rrp on these on a yank site - $236!! (http://www.shopsunshine.com/Item.asp?Pid=833&Item_Id=CGP-H502) :eek: :nuts: :lol:

I picked up some cheap Panny camcorder batts from www.sabahoceanic.com , might be worth dropping them a line and seeing if they can help..

EDIT - High capacity version - £86inc. from here (http://www.batterybarn.com/cgph502.htm)..

[downhillbiker]

Yeah,

Amazon US are selling an energizer one for 100 dollars. It looks like a good deal, so I think I'll buy it (if I can).
I'd need to ask some panasonic dealer if the battery you mentioned would fit my flayer, because it isn't listed on that site.

Thanks anyways

[downhillbiker]

Hmmm

The battery I require seems to be a US only affair, and US companies all seem remarkably reluctant to ship outside the US. Has anyone had experience of using UPS or Fed Ex to get an item from the US?

[Bapapapa]

The link I posted above for £86 inc. ship outside US..

[downhillbiker]

Yeah, I noticed that. I'll e-mail panasonic and find out if it would work with my player.
I presume I'll have to pay duty on it, and also have to find a voltage reducer so I can charge the thing.

[Bapapapa]

Doubt you'd need a stepdown as you'll be using your UK charger...

Ask them to make the package 'customs friendly' - ie mark the value down as $20... :nuts: