On two separate pronto's purchased within the past 2 months, the low battery signal comes on when the batteries seem to still be good. On the Pronto system menu the battery indicator shows Low. The error message comes on the screen saying that the bateries are very low and that pronto can't switch modes until the batteries are replaced. I replace the batteries and everything is fine. However, when I place the old batteries on the battery tester, they show that they are on the far right of the GOOD area. When I place the old batteries in a cassette player or a radio, they work fine. I'm using Duracell Alkaline AA. Any ideas?

The Pronto, due to the backlight, probably operates much like a digital camera: they don't really like alkaline batteries. Alkalines can't handle high power draws (even short bursts) for long lenghts of time.

For instance, four alkaline batteries placed into a digital camera will usually give 10 or so shots before the camera complains about low batteries. Take them out and they're still more than good enough for flashlights, tape players, etc. Now pop four lower voltage NiMH batteries into the camera -- and you've got well over 100 shots.

Regarding your Pronto, if you take the "low" batteries out and put them back, how long do they last before the Pronto complains again? Speaking of which, how long are they lasting you now?

Daniel
So what kind of batteries (non-rechargeable) do you recommend?

sjf

Daniel,

I haven't tried putting them back in after I took them out. The new batteries lasted about 3 - 4 weeks.

Mine eats all types of batteries. I've tried rechargeables - 1500Mah 1.2v Panasonics. Fully charged, they show about 3 or 4 bars on the indicator. I get about two weeks out of them at best. I'm quite cynical about this now and starting to believe the Pronto's designed not to get good life out of anything other than its dedicated rechargeable pack!

Mine eats NiMHs much more quickly than a set of good old Duracells. I switched to NiMh thinking I'd save money in the long run, but it is a pain in the backside replacing the batteries every few weeks. The Alkalines used to last months.

I use two sets of 4 NiMH batteries. One set stays in the charger while the other is in the Pronto. The charger is a MAHA C204F, which is "microprocessor" controlled. It has a discharge option. When I put the drained batteries in the charger I press a button that fully discharges them before it recharges them. This makes the charge last longer. Charging takes 2-3 hours, then the C204F switches to trickle mode and keeps them topped up.

In my experience the NiMH battery charge lasts longer than name-brand alkalines. Your mileage will, of course, vary based on your favorite backlight settings.

Switching the batteries every few weeks, for me, is not a big inconvenience. I enjoy not being tied down to a charging base. I can set the remote down anywhere.

8 1550mAH NiMH batteries and the fancy charger will cost about $44. The charger will do AA, AAA NiMH and NiCD batteries. It has two independent circuits, so actually charges them in pairs.

I used to have to buy those huge packs of AA and AAA batteries at Costco every couple of months, but not any more!

My Pronto is also eating batteries. They might last a couple of weeks. I use Duracell(even the new ultras) and Energizers, no difference. Same problem as Rick. I've tried redownloading PE and several other things. Nothing helps.

Norm,

Couple of weeks?? What kind of backlight timing do you use? Even the knock off batteries Philips sent with the remote lasted me 2 months. Even though I was doing a lot of learning and Tetris playing. You might also turn your button lights off. Probably won't save much but a couple of weeks is real bad.

Jim L

I get over a month with 1600 mAh NiMH batteries (The Battery Station .com). With good batteries I got around two months or so. I cut back on the backlighting until I got rechargables, then bumped the backlighting back up a little to get a month or so. I would definately get the highest rated NiMH. At $2.50 each I figured they would pay for themselves real quick. (and they have already)

I also turned my button lights off when I got the remote. Do they take much energy??

Hmm, eating batteries... I know it doesn't sound like much, but you might want to download your CCF file to it several times. A while back my Pronto would come on in the middle of the night by itself with the backlight blazing... and stay on for hours on end. Couldn't figure out how to correct it, but after downloading the CCF a few times (and the corresponding reboots) it's never happened again.

Daniel,

I've tried downloading and everything else with no luck. I have my backlight set for 30 seconds and the button lights off. I keep strange hours and I've never seen it come on by itself.

FWIW,

I've never seen mine come on "automatically" either. What I have seen is the backlight stay on and not shut off after 30 sec. Preforming additional commands or anything else won't get it shut off. Its only happened twice and pulling a battery for a sec gets it working normally.

Jim L

I've had great luck using Everready Lithium AA cells.

They run about $7-8 for 2 at the local CVS.
Since they're made for photo equipment, they can handle quick high-current drain situations. I replace them about every 4-5 months under moderate to heavy usage (yep, lotsa channel surfing). In the 14 mos. I've had the unit I ran through 3 sets. I use them in my portable cd player too and replace them around every 3 months of daily (1 hr train commute x 2) use.

Yes, they're expensive, but they have an extra bonus of being >extremely< lightweight, something like 2-3 oz per battery so you don't get tired holding the remote for long periods.

Sorry to sound like I'm selling them but they're the best thing I've found out there.

Paul