Repariability of Remote 3 and UCs commitment to the topic

General
1

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?

2

The only official statement I could find about R3 battery replacement is quite hidden on Discord in the very old v1 section:

  1. R2 and R3 share same battery.
  2. 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).

Source: Discord

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.

3

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 :man_facepalming: