Recommendation for 5D mark 3 battery grip

What's a good 3rd party battery grip that won't drain the batteries and feel durables and not cheaply made?

I currently have a Meike MK 53Ds battery grip attached to my Mark 3 and i have absolutely no problems with it whatsoever.

The grip itself is pretty well made considering how affordable it is and has a rubbery coating on the hand grip area which makes it easier to hold.

The only thing missing is the control stick that you would find on the actual Canon battery grip, but Meike have addressed this issue and included one on the newer model.

I know there is talk about how secure your Camera would be using an after market grip, but this thing is rock solid when attached.

Is not having a joystick a deal breaker?

I haven't really noticed it being missing, if that makes any sense, but then again i've only had my 5D since Christmas, and i'm pretty sure iv'e not even scraped the surface yet of some of the features.

This is the newer version here -

http://www.amazon.co.u​k …=5d+mark+iii+ba​ttery+grip

I have the Vello and it's perfect. Joystick and even a shutter release with a bit more of a detent than the actual camera switch. Never a problem with battery life.

I read reviews that they have a battery syncing problem.

to which, the Meike or the Vello.

I've never used a 3rd party grip but the ones I've seen used by friends are not something I would want to deal with on a shoot. Batteries being drained way too fast or just working when it feels like working it wants are a couple issues I've noticed. I usually find a good deal on the used genuine grips that doesn't cost much more than the 3rd party ones.

The vello. With meike, I hear the quality, sucks.

I always say go Canon. Many will disagree in the name of saving money, but I've never owned a third party grip (and I've owned a lot) and I've never had a failure of any kind. Also, the joystick thing. Believe me when I say, you're going to want a joystick. It makes life so much easier.

I'm considering, but I'm just trying to see what's great alternative to the canon.

I recently bought a Neewer BG-E11 grip but before I got a chance to really use it, I picked up a Canon BG-E11 for a good price, so I can't really comment on it's long term usability. (I haven't used the Canon much either)

I actually ordered a Meike based on good reviews but they sent me a Neewer by mistake. When I contacted the seller about the "mistake" they told me that the Neewer is actually made by Meike and that it is the same unit. I was quite impressed with the overall quality. It looks like a direct copy and has all the same buttons, including the joystick. It matches the Canon unit in every way except for the plastic body instead of the magnesium construction in the Canon. You can tell right away because the metal feels cold to the touch.

The Neewer/Meike has a metal plate at the top where it connects to the camera, and also a metal plate at the bottom for the tripod mount. The only noticeable difference is the battery information is not as complete as the Canon version.

This is what the Neewer battery display looks like with two batteries installed: (note it says BGM-E6)
(it also looks the same with one battery installed)

Which model of the neewer did you get?

The Neewer says "BG-1J for 5D3" on the box and also on the bottom of the grip.

I just returned a Promaster grip for my 5d3. I've had and used them successfully in the past, but this one would simply turn the camera off citing "no power" - with 2 fully charged batteries. I picked up a used Canon version for slightly more money. Overall, I think 3rd party grips are a safe bet, but they have to work all the time, not when they want to.