In the Kickstarter to the Remote 3, UC writes the following:
We’ve also spent significant amount of time on refining the assembly, that is not really visible, but crucial to make sure we can be efficient with the manufacturing. We have carefully considered the steps how the various parts are put together, how they are fixed and how they can also be taken apart in case of a repair.
But on their website I can’t see any repair manuals or parts list in case of repairing a broken screen or, in a few years, the battery.
I’m not on their DIscord, but has anyone from the team made a clarification of the repairability of the device and whether they will stick to that promise?
The only official statement I could find about R3 battery replacement is quite hidden on Discord in the very old v1 section:
R2 and R3 share same battery.
For replacing the battery in R3 the backglass needs to be warmed up, removed with suction cup and two screws underneath hold the button assembly in the housing. it can be pushed out to the bottom after removing (also buttons need to be lifted).
For R2 UC published unlisted videos on their YouTube channel after it was released but they have been removed shortly after. Maybe because of the case opening detection pin that could easily break if you don’t follow the instructions.
But at least you don’t need to warm up your remote and replace adhesive as it’s using a spring mechanism to slide open the case.
Getting parts for both models should be possible by mailing the support (support@unfoldedcircle.com). But there have been reports that at least for a R2 display replacement the self-repair option is not available anymore.
Indeed the screen repairs on the R2 cannot be done by yourself.
But the fee they charge for the replacement is only €30 on top of the part (which was €100 at the time I broke mine) + shipping.
So all in all the difference is €30 which is very reasonable I would say
But I would definitely be interested in being able to change the battery myself, since with the daily charging it’ll probably not last long. I opened the remote once after I broke the screen and I forgot to look at the exact battery model they used
For the R2, they made a specific commitment in the Kickstarter that the battery would be user replaceable. I have not heard that they have backed off that commitment.
However, on the display they used to make the replacement a DIY option and they have removed that option. They have not provided any explanation although there is discussion on their Discord server that’s because too many people were bricking theirs. That has never been confirmed by UC.
@daan I don’t agree that the replacement of a screen requiring service is reasonable for customers outside of the EU. By the time you add return shipping and the €30 it’s close to 70% of what I paid per R2 as an early back on Kickstarter. That’s not economical and effectively makes the R2 disposable. I think it would be far more reasonable for UC to offer the DIY option with a use at your own risk disclaimer and that if you brick the unit they won’t repair it. Given the fragility of the display on the R2 (even though Marton will object to it being called a design fault), they are not being accountable for the issue with the net cost of repair outside of the EU.
The shipping in my case (Netherlands) was only €12,50 so I think I only paid one way.
So I believe ordering the screen would not have been any cheaper shipping wise compared to the repair. Being outside the EU makes shipping anything from Denmark quite expensive. I really hope some day they will scale up things service wise, so parts or repairs can be done more locally
But I would’ve definitely done it myself if this were possible, just for the sake of doing stuff by myself. I prefer that in most cases.
In case anyone is interested: I wrote to UC and they say that the battery in the Remote 3 is replaceable, but not user replaceable. So better hope that the company doesn’t fold in five years when it is time to replace the battery.
Pretty disappointed that they didn’t opt for making that replaceable, considering they touted repairability in the crowdfunding campaign.
