Registered: Aug 2002
Location:
Posts: 3

Battery Drain

I bought my Visor Deluxe in January 2000. Lately I've noticed that the batteries are draining very fast, even though I'm using it much less than before. I have the "beam receive," "alarm sound" and "game sound" off and the "system sound" on low. Is anyone else experiencing this problem?

Registered: Jul 2002
Location:
Posts: 120

Had the same problem with a refurb Deluxe I bought. Compared to a new Deluxe I also had at the same time, it blew through batteries way too fast.

Bought a refurb Platinum and same battery problem??

I've been using a Neo (bought new) for about six months and battery life is very good, in fact, delightfully good!

It's all quite a puzzle.

Registered: Aug 2002
Location:
Posts: 3

Thank you very much for responding. It is a mystery. First I thought that the batteries I bought were no good but the package says that they are good until 2008! LF

Registered: Jul 2002
Location:
Posts: 120

Set me to thinking (uh-oh)

After my first reply re: "puzzle" I had some additional reflections on the topic.

It really boils down to this:
Due to countless and diverse negative experiences with battery operated things (perhaps starting with something like a flashlight that took four D cells when I was a wee lass) I've generally tried to steer away when possible.

In more recent years I've discovered that things that require AA and, even better, AAA are more acceptable. (And, of course things like watches, little clocks and calculators that take button batteries are often good). I realize this all has to do with the amount of power required, etc.

Within the AAA category, I have however, had varying experiences including the Visors I mentioned above and, in the computer line, a cordless mouse. I really liked the cordless mouse/keyboard and used it for, at least, a year. Then the mouse began to eat batteries ... even after scrupulously cleaning it, terminals and all. It really just wore out.

I would have replaced it but, since I needed to move to a laptop around the same time, I decided to just use the "good enough" corded optical mouse I had for a backup. The move to working on a laptop took enough of an adjustment for my "keep it simple" approach. (Laptop batteries are another topic altogether so I'll just say they are what they are and at least they are replaceable).

Sorry for being long-winded. What it comes down to is this:

I've had good and bad experiences with handheld AAA devices.
I've had good and bad experiences with rechargeable items (though I've stayed away from the rechargeable handhelds because they cost more at the go in and the batteries aren't replaceable).

I'd rather buy a more affordable AAA handheld that I "might" have to replace than a more expensive rechargeable that I'll, at some time, "have to replace" because I can't replace the battery (as in a laptop).

Does this make sense? I really am trying to stay open on this issue because of my special interest in handhelds (PalmOS only) as ebook reading devices.

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 118

Blast from the Past

Kind of late, but there may be a solution for the battery drain problem. The backup capacitor may have failed in a shorted condition. The easiest solution would be to get a new button board, which would have a new capacitor. You can get these at www.GetHighTech.com

There is a thread on this at:
http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/sho...p?threadid=3756

Hope this helps.
JK

Registered: Aug 2002
Location:
Posts: 3

Battery Drain

Thank you for your courtesy in replying. I am aware that many people are having the same problem with the older Visors. I guess this is the price we "pioneers" have to pay. I've swithched to rechargeables which, for some reason, don't drain nearly as fast as alkalines.

I looked at the www.gethightech.com site but I couldn't figure out if the button board replacemenet is a "do it yourself" type project or if I'd have to send my Visor to them.

Thanks again for your help.

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 118

It is a do-it-yourself thing. At least they have instructions:
http://www.gethightech.com/generic.html?pid=74