Astro battery module model

[Zarhan]

Question for those who have gotten their Astro: Have you checked out what the model of the battery is?

I'm just wondering, in light of the (un)availabity of Cosmo/Gemini SXX600's, whether they have picked a battery model that might have some longer sales period, or should we stock up spare batteries in advance just in case...

[cam1965]

I sent this question to Planet. It takes a long time to answer .( Sometimes they don' t answer ).


Hi.you answered me that you do not have batteries for  cosmo and gemini ( sxx600, cs-plx600SL ).What is the model of Astro battery ? I think I will buy one for backup . Another question : Please see my video.Hdmi cable  only works if connected at boot in Astro and it disables  the internal display. Is there a solution for this ? link for the video : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QMCLxmedJlc    ( I am  using the cosmo hdmi cable )


Below your answer

Dear Evandro,
 
We do not currently know of any suppliers who have the same battery, unfortunately.
Feel free to let us know if there's anything else we can help you with.

Kind regards,
Customer Care Team

[cam1965]

Hi .
Answer from Planet :

 Paul E. Pinnock (Planet Computers)

Nov 7, 2022, 16:31 GMT+1
Welcome back.
At this moment, it is prohibited to ship battery only, should you wish for us to replace your Gem or Cosmo battery, the battery service is available. In regard to the connection issue, we will investigate and revert.
Thank you for your patience.

See the latest range of Planet's mobile devices and accessories on http://www.planetcom.co.uk/ Summer sale now on!

Our new phone, Astro Slide 5G, is nearing production - catch the latest deals on backing the Astro on Indiegogo https://www.indiegogo.com/command_center/astro-slide-5g-transformer#/

The contents of this e-mail are confidential to the ordinary user of the e-mail address to which it was addressed and may also be privileged. If you are not the addressee of this e-mail you may not copy, forward, disclose or otherwise use it or any part of it in any form whatsoever. If you have received this e-mail in error please e-mail the sender by replying to the message.

Planet Computers Ltd is a Private Limited Company Registered in the UK. Registered Address is 36 Scotts Road, Bromley, England BR1 3QD, United Kingdom. Company Registration Number 10468629. VAT Registration number GB 259 3704 80.

[Zarhan]

So ok, you did not actually get a reply regarding Astro's battery model, just that they *can* indeed replace Cosmo/Gemini batteries.

Anyone who has actually gotten their Astro - have you checked the battery model yet? (Or did Planet provide more details)?

[jakfish]

Odd how PC, as a company, feels as if it's fading away. To cam's polite inquiry, PC cut-n-pasted a response that didn't even answer his question. Their reference to "summer sale" has obviously come and gone, and anybody who would pay $720usd for the ancient Cosmo would also need to see a doctor/financial planner.

Also, if I can get stand-alone replacement li-on batteries from China, why can't I get them from Britain?

Sigh,
Jake

[gymbo]

Odd how PC, as a company, feels as if it's fading away. To cam's polite inquiry, PC cut-n-pasted a response that didn't even answer his question. Their reference to "summer sale" has obviously come and gone, and anybody who would pay $720usd for the ancient Cosmo would also need to see a doctor/financial planner.

Also, if I can get stand-alone replacement li-on batteries from China, why can't I get them from Britain?

Sigh,
Jake

To Planets defense they DO have an odd approach/understanding of anything time-related, so there is absolutely a possibility that they are having their "Summer sale" now

But to be a bit serious as well: I'm also a bit confused by their "we can't ship batteries by themself" statement. One would think that it is based on some sort of safety issue. But then I would think that it should be safer to ship a battery that is not connected to anything (the only source of "danger" is then internal short-circuit in the battery, or something similar). If you ship a battery IN a device you will have the added danger of short-circuit in the device as well...

[jakfish]

Or is it simply that PC embraces these dubious restrictions so it can make more money by forcing its users to ship to them for the replacement?

Jake

[Zarhan]

To cam's polite inquiry, PC cut-n-pasted a response that didn't even answer his question.

I had a similar experience today. Since there still doesn't seem to be any info about the "protection pack" and my contribution is still "placed", I contacted planet via hello@planetcom and asked what's the plan/status of the protection pack. I got a canned reply about how the Astro Slide will be here soon. Clearly they did not even read the message, as I definitely emphasized that I'm asking about the protection pack and only about protection pack. I replied by clarifying the point and emphasizing *PROTECTION PACK* in the mail. Let's see how it goes...

Anyway, hopefully the battery info is somehow learned too..

[jakfish]

Yeah, it's not like they have a million customers. PC's audience is a throwback niche of former Psion users et al that has chosen to be loyal to a form factor disregarded by everybody else. So be loyal to us in return.

My personal rub with their service is when my Cosmo audio failed, barely out of warranty, and they made their customs info very obtuse. On the forms, I wrote that the phone was broken, but insured it for 300usd. Well, that forced me to pay another 75 pounds to get it out of customs, on top of the service for a 15-month-old phone that shouldn't have broken in the first place . PC should openly say, 'To avoid fees, do not insure, do not value it for anything monetary.'

Jake

[Zarhan]

Has anyone disassembled their Astro yet? What's the battery module model?

Planet's own designation is apparently "AS400" based on this photo at https://bigtechquestion.com/2022/02/02/review/astro-slide-review/ but I doubt it's the same thing as this https://www.amazon.com/Battery-IBM-AS400-iSeries-2757/dp/B086VRGLFL - that came up by googling for "AS400 battery". However, adding 'planet' to the criteria did not really narrow down the results at all...

[cam1965]

Has anyone disassembled their Astro yet? What's the battery module model?

Planet's own designation is apparently "AS400" based on this photo at https://bigtechquestion.com/2022/02/02/review/astro-slide-review/ but I doubt it's the same thing as this https://www.amazon.com/Battery-IBM-AS400-iSeries-2757/dp/B086VRGLFL - that came up by googling for "AS400 battery". However, adding 'planet' to the criteria did not really narrow down the results at all...

I have opened mine, because my left speaker is not working. Attached photos.