996 Targa - lift supports for rear hatch glass

[baloo]

The lift supports to the rear glass hatch on my 02 996 Targa are failing.

The left and right sides have different numbers per Stabilus (0694SB and 0695SX) -- and they are incredibly expensive.

They have electrical contacts on the ends (Stabilus calls these "ElectroLift"), and they evidently provide inputs maybe for the courtesy light and probably the rear glass defroster.

Per a Rennlist posting in 2013, I checked LiftSupportsDepot.com and they do indeed list the Targa, but they say to contact them for info -- which I did (awaiting response).

MY QUESTIONS ARE:
1) Has anyone else had a different solution to this failing lift support problem -- les expensive than the original equipment?
2) If other solution, did you find any difference in rear defrost and courtesy lights after installing the new stuff?

Thanks.