Net3 Radio Focus Remote Battery Issues

Hi Zach,

Since the unit is brand new, it would be great if you would give us a call at tech service:

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Thank you

Of the three different RFR devices I have used, they all  seem to have battery problems. We have switched out the rechargeable to standard alkaline ones and had no problems. Just make sure that if you do this you don't try and change it via USB!

EP

I have a RFR for a Ion.  I have had some issues with the battery as well.  The first issue was from dropping the unit which had loosened the battery connections.  To fix this I just used a thin tool to bend out the battery terminals to make the batterys fit snug again.

The second problem was the same as yours.  Every time it was unplugged it turned off immediately.  I just replaced the rechargeable battery's with new Duracell Rechargeable ones and that fixed the problem.

I've also had battery issues, especially since upgrading the RFR and basestation software.

After leaving the batteries (newish) batteries on the charger for 24 hours, I go to focus.  It seems I get to half-battery indicator in 20 - 30 minutes.  After 90 minutes (total) of use, I get down to 1/4 battery remaining.  After 3 hours, the battery indicator is empty, yet teh RFR still runs, for quite a while it seems.

This is the reverse of the indicators prior to the upgrade, where it would last quite a while near "full", but as soon as it hit 1/4 remaining, I knew I had only 20 - 30 minutes left.

Any thoughts, ETC, about how long the remote will last once the battery indicator is showing Empty?

Thanks

Andrew Riter

Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.

I understand my usage on a film & TV set is different than a stage focus, but I too had terrible battery life, and I got into the habit of turning off the RFR immediately after using it.  I have taught the gaffer that I'm, "booting up", when he asks for something and I'm on set w/ the rfr and it is currently off. He understands that is the price to pay if I'm not sitting @ the console. There have been shots where I was sitting on set to take the lighting cue; I run a stinger to my position and operate the RFR without turning it off. I don't know if that would work for you in your space, but if you're @ a podium or table, maybe that would work. Then when you need to walk away with the RFR, just unplug & go. I didn't like the RFR on my belt unprotected, as I am climbing thru the greenbeds & perms, so I first placed a screen protector on it, then, I got my wardrobe 'set costumer' to build me a leather case. I love it. I had him work off the case I have for my Color Meter III. I had him put double cut aways on because I didn't know which way would be most convenient - keys facing me, or keys facing out. Turns out I prefer keys out.

I have getting the same results as Andrew.  The battery meter drops to half pretty quickly, then goes down to the barest sliver of a bar at a more reasonable rate.  Once there, I have no idea how much time I have left.  The other day I ran repeated channel checks for over an hour after it got to the lowest reading.  I gave up on the experiment before the battery did.   I suspect that the battery meter is more the problem than the batteries.  We have four RFRs and are experiencing the same problem in all of our spaces.  Could this be a software problem?

Hal Crawford

Arlington Cultural Affairs

well, as I said above... because if you bang this...:

http://www.supertech-inc.com/products/etc/etc%20radio%20rfu.jpg

...encased in sturdy metal casing, against iron bridge fences, portal ladders or safety guard bars or, god forbid, drop it from higher than 2m of height, is something completely different than if you doo do that with this:

and because in 97% of time we don't need much more of RFU's capabilities than turning channels on and of as fast and reliable as possible. when your production is aprox. 470 to 500 performances and 16 premieres (with 2/3 of their reherehearsals stage) per season (in 10 months) and theatre's light crew counts only four guys, you need a "tool", not a "toy" ;)

don't get me wrong, I don't want to sound disrdisrespectfulbut simple, sturdy and reliable remote is something really usefusefulen if you can't "re-focus your mowingheads" or "label your cue" with it, like you can do on wi-fi "touchscreen devices"... the one from Expression line of consoles was like that! and Eos line one would be too, if its battery charge would last at least one day...

it seems I wrote something "undesirable", cause my previous post is still being "moderated" :)...

but, as I said , we don't, because when your 10 month season production consists of 16 premieres and aprox. 470-500 performances and theatre's whole light crew is "made" out of just 4 guys that "service" 3 stages (ok. "two and a half" cause Studio's production is not that "numerous" :)... ), then you need a proper tool, not a "toy"!
a sturdy and reliable tool, that can be banged and pressed against fences, ladders, portal tower guards, even dropped from various heights (by accident or when ones own safety becomes more important than the tool one uses)... and unlike the sensitive touchscreen devices, this WAS such tool:


... its replacement, though far more capable in its functions - isn't!! because of l*usy battery life... :(

don't get me wrong, I mean no disrespect, I believe wi-fi touchscreen devices can be and are nice solution... but in our daily "rehearsal&performance turn-over", available focusing time and house rigging, they simply are not as usefull as good old sturdy metal rfu...
on the other hand, if you look at rfu's price and the way its functionnality is crippled by battery depletion, not really "happy thoughts" cross ones mind and one would expect at least some manufacturers effort about it...