Have you tried the genuine Makita batts from Screwfix?
They transformed my Makita, AIUI the batts are the difference between the
budget and pro cordless tools.



I searched their site,and I can't find makita 24v batteries.
Every other kind, mind:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...7954&id=102045

New 24v Makitas come up on ebay all the time, and go for around £90:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

which is only a fiver more then the non-originals which have a buy-me-now
price of £85.

I think I'll bid on a genuine item, and give the 3-rd party items a miss.

I have a gut feeling that you are right about the quality of the battery
being a distinguising feature of the makita products, although I have no
hard data to back that up. After all, what is a fiver against the total
cost of the machine, battery and charger.

That was my feeling in the first instance.
I just wanted a sanity check first, in case the widely accepted opinion was
the there was nothing in it.

Thanks to all who answered.
--
Ron