How easy is it to replace batteries? Instructions or no instructions does it not take hours to open the battery cover? All goes well for say a year, bring the friends over for a party to see who can change the batteries. How easy is it to replace batteries? Instructions or no instructions does it not take hours to open the battery cover? All goes well for say a year, bring the friends over for a party to see who... » Read More How easy is it to replace batteries? Instructions or no instructions does it not take hours to open the battery cover? All goes well for say a year, bring the friends over for a party to see who can change the batteries. « Show Less
1065139
We bought a home that already had this model installed. My husband and I were able to get into the area where the batteries relatively easily, within 10 minutes with no instructions the first time. It is on the interior side and you just need a small screwdriver. Once we knew how to do it, it just takes a minute. The home was 12 years old and the unit seemed to have some malfunction, so I bought one from Amazon to replace the one the home came with. We have had no issues with the one I purchased 10 months ago.
1065140
It does not take hours to open the battery cover. The cover slides up and then you replace the AA batteries. Then slide the cover back down. It shouldn't need to be reprogrammed. It takes me about 1-2 minutes to do it all by myself.
1065141
No tools required. Slide the cover off, insert batteries, slide cover back on. It takes about 1 minute of practice to learn how to slide it off and on quickly. You will probably take the cover off once in a while, to see the re-coding reminder steps printed on the inside.
1501475
Here's a tip from a user that successfully replaced the battery for this unit.MediaBaron says:I had one of the older non-replaceable battery models. I was able to carefully tap a razor blade around the seam to separate the top and bottom half, replaced the batteries and put it back together using a hot glue gun so it could be easily be taken apart again. This far from an approved process but if you're going to throw it away anyway give it a shot. I gave it away to someone who's wife was going through chemo and bought the model with the replaceable battery before they were discontinued. It wasn't pretty after the hot glue but it worked. Here's a tip from a user that successfully replaced the battery for this unit.MediaBaron says:I had one of the older non-replaceable battery models. I was able to carefully tap a razor blade around the seam to separate the top and bottom half, replaced the batteries and put it back together using a hot glue gun so it could be easily be taken apart again. This far from an approved process but if you're going to throw it away anyway give it a shot. I gave it away to someone who's wife was going through chemo and bought the model with the replaceable battery before they were... » Read More Here's a tip from a user that successfully replaced the battery for this unit.MediaBaron says:I had one of the older non-replaceable battery models. I was able to carefully tap a razor blade around the seam to separate the top and bottom half, replaced the batteries and put it back together using a hot glue gun so it could be easily be taken apart again. This far from an approved process but if you're going to throw it away anyway give it a shot. I gave it away to someone who's wife was going through chemo and bought the model with the replaceable battery before they were discontinued. It wasn't pretty after the hot glue but it worked. « Show Less
828281
There is no battery cover, so it appears that replacement is not intended by the manufacturer. The unit is held together by a rubber cover that covers top, bottom, and sides. This cover is not trivial to remove, but I didn't try very hard.
475539
If you have a tiny Phillips head screwdriver with a magnetic tip (like the ones that are used for eyeglass adjustments), you should not have a problem. There are 3 tiny phillip head screws that need to come out to remover the backing. Once the backing is removed, there is one more TINY Phillips head screw that "holds" the battery in. Once you have the right screwdriver, it can be changed within 3 minutes.
544050
Very easy! Just unplugs and slides out. I have 4 batteries that I use when I go fly - takes 30 seconds to swap them out.
2173626
If you want to get into taking the unit apart (disassemble it), then yes you can replace.. there is no 'open door' to change the batteries.. you need to solder-desolder the old (and new)-replace-- reassemble.. otherwise you can't..
630562
yes the battery can be replaced, and it is hard to open it up. I had to ask my husband how to do it.
798209
The batteries are very easy to change. Easy as changing the batteries in a flashlight. If I can do it, anyone can!
1590184
I personally have not replaced a battery and have not had the opportunity to do deal with that question. If you are able to open it, you should be able to see the battery and get the number or size from the existing one inside. I hope this helps, but I am not the expert, just a casual user, contact the maufacturer or go on line to e-how and pose that question and hopefully you will be able to get an answer.
1001735
The battery can't be replaced by you. It needs to be sent in. As for how long they will last before replacement, i don't know. A long time probably. I've only owned one for a few months so i can't be the judge on that. But my friend has had his for a few years and he uses it a lot. His is still working fine on the original battery.
23648
The battery is replaceable if you can find a company who would still source such a battery. I found one online some years ago. There are about 7 screws that would be removed to open the bottom cover. Once the bottom was carefully opened, the battery would just unplug from a small connector on the main board. You could take that battery to a store specializing in rechargeable batteries to see if they can fashion a replacement. When the battery was new, the device would usually last through a whole day's normal use.
1638725
Actually, I don't think you can replace the bulbs. LEDs are usually good for about 25,000 hours. That's about 20 years. What did you have in mind. I don't know about you but I'll be ready for a new technology magnifying glass way before that. Batteries will be your issue depending on how much you use it not the LEDs. You need a really small Phillips screwdriver to replace them and it takes three. The cover is real bitch to get off. You need a really small Flathead screwdriver to pry it off. Thank God the screw is held in place in the cover or you would probably loos it. A small screwdriver set & a couple of rounds of changing batteries and it's no big deal.
1861543
If someone removes the battery, it will not open until the battery is replaced, however, once the battery is replaced it does remember the old code so there is no problem getting back in it : )
1413280
I purchased a replacement battery and they have changed the battery posts - so it is not easy. I had to solder the new battery in place.The new battery has slip on posts and the old one was attached with a small screw and nut. Bah Humbug....
490014
Unfortunately the battery is not replaceable unless you take the unit apart yourself. There's a couple of youtube videos discussing this but it may be more trouble than it is worth. The sides of the unit are glued together and need to be heated to be taken apart.
1556611
From my experience (and the Creative discussion boards) the battery may only last about a year or just over. It seems as soon as they go out of warranty the batteries stop holding a charge and the device won't even turn on when connected to a computer. However, the other posters here are right, I have found replacement batteries on e**y, but there are no screws on the back cover to replace it. I'm assuming you have to pop the case apart and be careful not to break it! Creative's answer is to recycle/dispose of the mp3 player and buy another. iPods may be more expensive, but at least Apple will allow you to send yours in for a battery replacement so you don't have to worry about breaking it yourself! From my experience (and the Creative discussion boards) the battery may only last about a year or just over. It seems as soon as they go out of warranty the batteries stop holding a charge and the device won't even turn on when connected to a computer. However, the other posters here are right, I have found replacement batteries on e**y, but there are no screws on the back cover to replace it. I'm assuming you have to pop the case apart and be careful not to break it! Creative's answer is to recycle/dispose of the mp3 player and buy another. iPods may be more expensive, but at least Apple... » Read More From my experience (and the Creative discussion boards) the battery may only last about a year or just over. It seems as soon as they go out of warranty the batteries stop holding a charge and the device won't even turn on when connected to a computer. However, the other posters here are right, I have found replacement batteries on e**y, but there are no screws on the back cover to replace it. I'm assuming you have to pop the case apart and be careful not to break it! Creative's answer is to recycle/dispose of the mp3 player and buy another. iPods may be more expensive, but at least Apple will allow you to send yours in for a battery replacement so you don't have to worry about breaking it yourself! « Show Less
211757
The package states "self recharging battery", but nothing in the package insert indicates it is replaceable. There also does not appear to be an easy way to open the unit. Try to contact the manufacturer and let me know what you find out.