Hey doughboy,
I am with Double. I have the cudde back and it is a great camera. In the real cold I have had the batteries go out in just 2 weeks but in the fall I had them last 5 to 6 and take many good pictures. Take yours back to Cabelas and get the Cudde back. It is $399 but well worth it.
Oh and I use energizer batteries. They do cost more in the long run but I have never had good luck with rechargables in digital cameras.

Good luck