Buying a Rigel...with or without battery pack?

[roarke80]

I noticed 2 options on FLO...do I need to get the one with the AA battery pack? Or does the default battery do well for a whole night's viewing? Do I just have to charge it every night after viewing?

Thanks!

[AWR]

With!

I bought without but that was a mistake.

Andrew

[Rob L]

Got mine without, can't see the point of the battery pack.

[Luke]

Sorry to offer differing advice, but I would say without!

The cell battery lasts for months, they are very cheap to buy, and the Rigel is very light without the battery pack.

Also if you want to use the battery pack you have to cut a little hole in the side and stick the battery pack on the side.

[Sarah]

We bought the battery pack but don't really use it! The cell battery seems to last for ages.

[roarke80]

Thanks for your replies! But what happens when the cell battery dies? Do you just have to charge it and how long for?

[Rob L]

Thanks for your replies! But what happens when the cell battery dies? Do you just have to charge it and how long for?

Replacements are cheap and easy to get, I've replaced mine once in the last 12 months

[Sarah]

Replace it with a new one. We have spare batteries for when the battery dies.

[roarke80]

Thanks! Where can you get replacement batteries from? Are they just generic lithium batteries you can get from non-astro shops?

[Luke]

It takes a CR2032 Lithium coin battery, you can currently get a pack of 12 on Amazon for about £2.60 including delivery, that should last I would think at least 4 to 5 years!

The Rigel is awesome!

Please check which buyer to use, but e.g.:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-CR-2032-Lithium-Coin-Battery/dp/B0027XNA6Y

[roarke80]

Awesome!! Thanks Luke!

[AWR]

Maybe it's just me who keeps leaving it on!

Andrew

[Luke]

You can tell it's cloudy, but... the manufacturer says the AA batteries last up to 2700 hours, "almost 10 times longer than the lithium coin cell that comes with the QuikFinder."

So that suggests 300 hours-ish for the coin cell.

[RikM]

No battery packs for me. I have had two of these things on the go every clear night for the past two years and so far I have replaced 1 battery. I have left them switched on a few times as well.

[cgarry]

No battery pack for me either, the coin cells last for ages and I constantly forget to turn it off.

Cheers,

Chris

[roarke80]

Brilliant, thanks for all the replies! Seems like the wisest choice is to not get the battery pack and just replace the lithium batts if need be.

Man this hobby is expensive!