Registered: Aug 2001
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 227

Prism Battery longevity? --Failures?

Have any of you long time Prism owners/users had the battery fail?
I was wondering how the Li-ion has held up over several years--- in the real world

Registered: Sep 2002
Location:
Posts: 4

hi, i have had my prism for right about two years and just in the last couple of weeks have I started having trouble with the battery. I use a keyboard alot with it and I am down to about 5 documents and low battery warning coming on. I am torn on replaceing the battery or purchasing a new pda. If I buy something else, what would it be? Also, I bought my prism new when it was 500.00!! hard to just throw it away!!
hope this helps, any info anybody has, please let me know

Registered: Apr 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 234

Battery life depends on the user.

Hey battery life really depends on the user. If you follow handspring's recommendation of topping off the prism's battery everynight you can get three years or more of life. The batteries in the prism do not have memory that inhibits some batteries from lasting long. For the user that is having trouble with their battery already, search on this site for battery replacements. There is a company that can make a battery out of any used battery. I hope this helps.

__________________
Cheers

Registered: Sep 2002
Location:
Posts: 4

hey, i can't find the site that you are talking about making me a new battery. can anyone help me out? i can only find info on get hightech.com i want to keep my prism, but i need something fast!!
thanks:

Registered: Oct 2002
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1

I've had some battery problems with my prism (< 1 yr. old).

When the original unit failed to hold a charge, I had it replaced under warranty. I recently had a related issue with the replacement unit, where the battery kept getting lower and lower, yet the recharge circuitry would never kick in (would never get the lightning bolt on the battery icon).

I did an "in cradle reset" and that has cleared the probem (at least, so far). You need to have the unit connected to a cradle or charger (i.e. it must be receiving current), then do a soft reset while still connected to the charger/cradle. The support web site has an article on how to do this.

I'm still sort of iffy on the batteries in these units. Mine is out of warranty now, so it doesn't matter if I open it up or not, but I certainly wasn't pleased to hear that these batteries are not considered user replaceable by Handspring, and that opening the case voids the warranty (like that would stop me!).

Bob

Last edited by hitech-bob on 10-04-2002 at 09:23 PM

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 227

Gethightech has the batteries--But they're 50bux(Marked down from 80)--

What do ya do?

Registered: Aug 2002
Location:
Posts: 67

re: hightech-bob

kind of funny, Handspring voides the warranty if you open the case.... what is the screwdriver they include with the stylus for then?????

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 227

Exactly--

Registered: Sep 2002
Location:
Posts: 4

hey, just an FYI but I emailed gethightech.com and the batteries are refurbished from old units they have bought from people like me that want to unload their pda's. I am not going to spend 50 bucks on a maybe battery!!! I will spend $50 towards a new pda, just now....which one????

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 227

No guarantee

I notice the Edge replacement specifically stated no returns and no warranty to the battery--

With Edges going for $100-$125 and Prisms at about $125-$150 it doesn't seem worth the risk---

Registered: Aug 2002
Location:
Posts: 67

will this work?

Not sure if this will even work...maybe someone with electronic or engineering experience can clarify or help? this is my question:

Can you take your battery out of the Prism and try to find a replacement at a Radio Shack or Fry's Electronics, or similar store?? "Li-ion" batteries are very common in cell phones and other electronic devices, also the connecter from the Prism battery looks like a standard sized connector. Wouldn't it just be a matter of getting another "li-ion" battery that has the same voltage/current,etc..??? -and of course slim size to fit in the Prism housing??
When my Prism dies I may try to do something like this. -Hopefully i'll get another year or 2 out of it before it goes to sleep? hopefully by that time this will be worked out and it will just be a short nap!
-e

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 227

Available but expensive--

Prism batteries are available at GETHIGHTECH.COM--
But they're take outs and expensive--
50-80 bux depending on if they're on "sale" or not---

Registered: Aug 2002
Location:
Posts: 67

$50-80 and refurbished???

I hear what your saying, they have them at "hightech".com.... but they are $50-$80 and not even new!!!!!! <---(they are from refurbished Prism's).
what I am suggesting is going out and getting a BRAND NEW Lithium ion battery for hopefully less $$ and most importantly brand**NEW**!
If anyone knows anything about this or has ideas I'd love to hear.

check out these URL's, seems like one of the cell phone batteries would work??

http://search.lycos.com/default.asp...ery+replacement

thanks -eric

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 227

Probably

The plugs are pretty standard--
And the Prism is relatively roomy--(unlike the smaller Edge and Battery)

As long as the battery was the save voltage/wattage and size same or smaller--New is always better--

Registered: Aug 2002
Location:
Posts: 67

sounds good!

Thanks EJSHUMAK,
I think that is what I'll do when my prism goes to sleep. I will physically take my battery in to a electronics store.. (there is a great one by my house... every kind of electronic switch, connector, and battery you could imagine).. and see if I could find a match. ...worth a try?
-e

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 227

Very few failures so far--

There have been so few battery failures so far that a market has not developed--

I think in the next several years - a kit may become available with a new battery--just as screen repair kits have proliferated--

We can hope--

Demand creates supply--

Registered: Aug 2002
Location:
Posts: 67

agreed!

I've only had my Prism for a year... so I am probably okay for at least another year..!

Registered: Sep 2002
Location:
Posts: 4

hi, I took my prism into a couple electronic stores and radio shack and they said they couldn't match it. They want you to buy another "machine" instead of a replacement battery. thats a shame, because I have loved my prism. When I took my prism apart and the date on the battery said 9/2000, I couldn't belive it since it was excatly 2 years old!!!!!!!!!!!oh well, any suggestions for a new pda?

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 227

Gethightech.com

Gethightech.com has battery replacements for Prism--
(they are take-outs) now for $50.00--
OR

E-bay has Prisms for between 125-175 bucks--

Registered: Aug 2002
Location:
Posts: 67

thanks prismgirl!

Thanks for the info. Prismgirl... guess there's not much you can do then. Make sure what ever you buy doesn't use a recharchable battery... or if it does, it's one that can be replaced easily!
(hey they have batteries at gethightech.com)...<---- JK.