Hi Neal and list:
Sarah and others, I have not had any problems changing batteries either. And, for what it's worth, I like the fact that I am not stuck with some proprietary batter pack that I either have to buy at some point, or worse yet, send the unit back to have the battery pack replaced. I can understand Larry's point if they have really had problems with this, but perhaps a little podcast on how to correctly change batteries would be in order before scrapping the idea of replaceable batteries.
Neal
-----Original Message----- From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Sarah Cranston Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 11:03 AM To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [bookport] Re: power
Eric,
May I respectfully ask what any of this has to do with blindness? Changing batteries has nothing to do with vision and everything to do with being careful and paying attention to what one is doing. I, like Walt, have changed batteries in many, many devices. In particular, I have changed the batteries in my BookPort at least 60 or 70 times, and have had absolutely no ill effects. I do understand that there are those who have ended up with damaged contacts, but I have never been able to figure out exactly how this could happen if one is careful. If I've misunderstood your comment about making things "blind proof", (you're not a partial, are you?), then please clarify and set me straight.
Sarah
-----Original Message----- From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Eric StevenS Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 10:48 AM To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [bookport] Re: power
Well, Walt, again they have to dumb down to the lowest common denominator. Make everything stupid/blind proof.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Walt Smith" <walt@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 11:39 AM
Subject: [bookport] Re: power
oppositeThe last time we had a discussion on battery connections, I think it was Larry who pointed out that in actual use, the spring type of connectors really don't stand up much better than the present spring clips. The problem seems to be more related to how the batteries are inserted and removed--they should always be inserted negative end (the bottom of the batterytoto the end with the little button on it) first. I've made dozens and dozens (probably over a hundred) battery changes without any apparent damagecommentsthe contacts and have used all types of batteries. I agree with theregarding the 15-minute charger, as well.
Larry's message slightly alarmed me in that it almost seems to imply that future devices that emanate from his shop may not have user-replaceable batteries and I think this would be a mistake, as it would seriously limit the BP's portability in situations where AC power might not be easily available (camping, for example).
----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Hill" <chill000@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 11:29 AM Subject: [bookport] Re: power
I agree that the way the charger does it is a batter solution. I think the coil spring type of contacts also are a better bet than what
the bookport currently uses.
On Wed, 01 Feb 2006 07:27:40 -0800, you wrote:
I was glad to see that the user could change and replace the batteries
batteriesin the bookport. I'm wondering about a solution to the problem of damaged contacts. I use an IC-3 battery charger that quick charges the IC-3 batteries in about 15 minutes. This is a great comvenience. Now when you insertt thebareinto this charger, where the positive contact is, instead of feeling theWhencontact, if you will, you find a round protruding piece with a little recess in it where you fit the little nub at the positive end of the battery.inyou snug the battery against this, inside, it is spring loaded. You fitandthe nub and gently push in and seat the battery. This protects the contacttheyou never actually touch it. Wonder if something like that could work forBP battery recepticle. Just thinking. I really like the current battery/power arrangement for the BP. By the way, I don't get as much battery time per charge with the IC-3 rechargeables, as I do with non-rechargeable alkalines. But the quick charge convenience and cost savings makes it worthwhile. If I'm reading only books using the synthesizer, I get 50 hours or close thereto Lois.
