FAQ

NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE (NIMH) BATTERIES

What are the benefits of NiMh?

• Nickel Metal Hydride
• Offers longer life between charges and can replace your current NiCad battery.
• Can be Recharged before completely drained - "NO Memory Effect".
• Up to 1000 charges per battery - Reliable and Economical.
• Ideal for all Digital and other HIGH DRAIN battery applications.
• NiMH cells have a higher capacity rating than NiCd - They will last substantially longer when fully charged.
• NiMH cells are non-toxic for disposal - Contain NO Mercury or Cadmium.
• NiMH cells are the same size as regular primary Alkaline cells - Can be substituted in all application devices.

PURCHASING FROM THIS SITE IS EASY

How do I buy?

1. Simply "Add to Shopping Cart" the quantity that you wish to order.
2. Verify your order and make any changes you wish.
3. Fill in the information to tell us where to ship your order and choose payment method. 4) Any combination of batteries can make up your order.
4. Orders under $29.50 - $5.00 shipping charge added, over $29.50 FREE Delivery.
5. Your order will arrive within approximately 10-14 working days, please contact us if you require rush shipping. NO shipping charges for orders over $29.50.

NO handling charges, NO taxes, NO hidden costs, NO silly fees.

CORDLESS PHONE BATTERIES

How long does it take to charge a new NiMH cordless phone battery?
We recommend 14-16 hrs. for charging NiMH for the first time. The time is also dependent on the rated capacity of the battery and the input current of the charger base.
Can NiMH be charged in the base unit of a NiCad phone? Yes. NiMH can be charged in the base unit of a NiCad phone without any problems.

If a telephone is left in the base unit for an indefinite time, can any damage occur?
No damage should occur with a NiMH battery that is left in the base unit. Can any damage occur to an NiMH battery charged in the based of a NiCad cordless phone? No, either battery chemistry can be charged on a cordless phone base.

Some manufacturers suggest using only their NiCad replacement in their cordless phone – any negative reasons for using NiMH batteries?
There are no reasons why a replacement NiMH battery would not work more effectively than the NiCad battery shipped with the original phone.

What is the useful shelf life of an NiMH cordless telephone battery?
NiMH cordless phone batteries are shipped in a discharge state and can sit on the shelf for several years without detrimental performance loss.

What is the warranty of an NiMH battery by the manufacturer?
If the battery proves to be defective in materials or workmanship within 1 year from date of original purchase, we will repair or replace, at our option, this battery and any cordless phone damaged by the battery, if the purchaser sends the battery with the original purchase receipt and the damaged cordless phone postage and freight prepaid to The Battery Guys.

MULTIMEDIA STORAGE

What's it made of?
This product is made from a combination of "engineered woods" -- a mixture of high quality hard and soft wood materials, which generally come from the surplus of the original lumber processing. These materials are bonded together with a synthetic resin, in a process that combines high heat and pressure to make a very stable, environmentally friendly product. The result is dense, strong panels of particleboard, which are then laminated with durable attractive finishes. These materials are then further manufactured into furniture components in a precision, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Components are inspected and packaged with high quality, European hardware that has been designed to make home assembly quick and easy. Home assembly, or RTA products, save you money and are the only truly effective way to ship large furniture items economically. In Europe, over 40% of all furniture is bought RTA and nowadays most automated manufacturers of precision "assembled furniture" use this RTA component method of manufacturing to ensure higher quality goods.

How does it get to me?
Products are shipped to your door via UPS ground (United Parcel Service), so please allow 10 - 14 working days transit time.

Are the prices in US dollars?
Yes, all CD Storage pricing is shown in US$. We encourage Canadian customers to call us toll free at (800) 265-1474 for Canadian pricing.

What if I find a problem with my unit?
If, for any reason, you are unhappy with your unit due to damaged, defective or missing parts, please contact us immediately, as there are many ways we are prepared to help. For example: We can arrange for replacement parts to be shipped to you -- free of charge of course! If necessary, we can arrange for a replacement unit to be shipped to you. We can arrange for UPS to pick up any units as necessary.

What If I Want To Return It?
If, for any other reason, you are not satisfied with your merchandise, you may return it at your expense in its original packaging within 30 days of receipt for a refund. The shipping and handling charges, which are included in the quoted prices of our products, will not be refunded. If you wish to return a product, you must contact us first for authorization and further instructions. We cannot be held responsible for units returned without prior authorization.

What If I Change My Mind?
Once an order has been accepted by us and confirmed to you, it may not be possible to cancel the order before it is shipped, should you change your mind. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact us immediately and we will do our best to cancel your order, but please be aware that some charges may apply.

How Can I Reach A Customer Service Representative?
You may either contact us by email at info@batteryguys.com, or call our toll-free customer service at (800) 265-1474 (9:00am - 4:00pm EST).

Can I Paint Or Varnish Your Units?
NO! All of these products have a laminate finish, and should not be painted or varnished.

Are They Waterproof?
No. If liquid is spilled and quickly wiped up, no damage will be done to your unit. However, continuous exposure to liquids or high humidity may cause damage to the board.

What Warranty Do The Products Have?
For mainland North American shipments, excluding Hawaii and Alaska, all units are covered for damage, defect or missing pieces for 30 days from date of shipment.

I Live Outside Of The Mainland U.S.A. And Canada?
Shipping is included, at no extra charge for mainland USA and Canada. Unfortunately, there are additional charges for shipments to Hawaii and Alaska. Current product warranties only cover mainland North America. We cannot be held liable for any taxes, customs fees or charges of any kind incurred by customer, during international shipping.

Can I Buy Extra Shelves For My Unit?
YES! Simply e-mail us the details (i.e. which unit you have and which pieces you need for it) and we will send you back at cost to supply the additional pieces.

Are The Units Easy To Assemble?
Each unit comes with detailed assembly instructions and one person can assemble most of them in well under an hour. We recommend that if you have any reservations about tackling this project alone, you should get a friend or neighbor to help.

What If I Am Missing A Part?
Should you find a component of your unit to be missing when you receive it, simply contact the toll free help line on the instructions and the manufacturer's staff will assist you. If in any doubt, you can always contact us by email at info@batteryguys.com, or you may call our toll-free customer service center at (800) 265-1474 (9:00am - 4:30pm EST).

What Do I Do If The Box Is Damaged When It Arrives?
Should UPS deliver a damaged box to you, please contact the toll-free help line on the instructions and the manufacturer's staff will assist you. If in any doubt, you can always contact us by email at info@batteryguys.com, or you may call our toll-free customer service center at (800) 265-1474 (9:00am - 4:30pm EST). What If One Of My Pieces Arrives Broken? Should a component of your unit arrive damaged, simply contact the toll-free help line on the instructions and the manufacturer's staff will assist you. If in any doubt, you can always contact us by email at info@batteryguys.com, or you may call our toll-free customer service center at (800) 265-1474 (9:00am - 4:30pm EST).

BINOCULARS

What purpose do binoculars serve?
There are two basic functions that binoculars serve. One is that they gather more light than the human eye could on its own. The other is that they enlarge the image being viewed. In order to choose the model that best suits your needs, there are several factors to consider first.

What is the best magnification for me?
The magnification of a binocular is how many times closer an object appears than when viewed by the naked eye. An 8x21mm binocular magnifies the image to eight times its normal size. Typical magnifications range from powers of 7x to 10x, however they are available in much higher magnifications as well. Keep in mind however, that as you increase binocular power, less light will be gathered, and the viewing field will be reduced as well. It is also very difficult to keep an image steady at very high magnifications using a hand-held binocular. A tripod is usually necessary to steady an image at higher magnifications. A good alternative for those seeking the option of high power magnification is a zoom binocular. This gives you the option of higher magnifications without the limitations of a fixed, high power binocular.

What does diameter mean?
The amount of light passing through the different lenses of the binocular depends on the diameter of those lenses. The objective lenses are located at the front of the binocular. The diameter of the objective lenses are measured in millimeters. An 8x21mm binocular has an objective lens diameter of 21 millimeters. The larger the diameter of the lens, the more light they will gather. More light means a brighter image of greater detail and clarity. The size of the exit pupil also affects the brightness of an image. The exit pupil is the diameter of the beam of light, in millimeters, that passes through the eyepieces (oculars) of the binocular. The larger the exit pupil, the brighter the image becomes. Keep in mind however that larger lenses mean larger binoculars, which can become bulky and cumbersome. Most people are willing to sacrifice the slight differences in brightness in return for a compact, more manageable model.

What is field-of-view?
The field of view is the size of the area that can be viewed through the binoculars. Field of view is measured in two ways, angular field of view and linear field of view. The angular field of view is measured in degrees. Linear field of view is the width of area, in feet, visible at one thousand yards. Remember that the higher the power of your binocular, the smaller the field of view will be. In most cases, the larger the field of view, the poorer the image clarity becomes, especially around the edges. Bear this in mind when making your choice. Bigger does not always mean better!

Does the type of prism used make a difference?
There are prisms located inside binoculars that function to flip an inverted image upright. There are two common styles of prisms used; the BK-7 and the BAK-4. The BAK-4 prism is made of a higher density glass and can produce sharper images than a BK-7 prism can. If you are unsure as to which prism is being used, hold the binoculars out in front of you and look through the eyepiece. If you see a square shaped beam of light, chances are a BK-7 prism is being used. A round beam of light indicates the use of a BAK-4 prism.

What are the purpose of lens coatings?
All the optical components of binoculars (the objective lenses, oculars, and prisms) should be coated to minimize light loss and reflection problems inside the binocular. A poorly coated binocular can lose up to 50% of the light initially gathered through the objective lens, resulting in a poor quality image. By coating the optical components with a fine film of certain chemicals, light loss can be greatly decreased. The highest quality binoculars have multiple coatings on all the optical components. These are known as "fully multi-coated" binoculars. These binoculars have the least loss of light and the result is a higher quality image.

What is eye relief?
Eye relief is the distance, in millimeters, a binocular can be held away from the eye and still see the entire field of view. If you wear glasses, a longer eye relief would be advantageous since your eyes cannot get as close to the eyepiece.

How can I get the most out of my binoculars?
Once you have chosen a binocular that is right for you, there are several things you can do to ensure that you are getting the most out of your binoculars. Thoroughly check your binoculars when you first buy them. Make sure there are no scratches, dents, or any other obvious damage to the unit. Check for image clarity, brightness and ability to focus. If you see blurred or double images, your binoculars may be damaged or poorly made.

What steps can I take to maintain my binoculars?
Make sure your lenses are clean at all times. Keep them free of fingerprints, dirt and debris. Use a Carson LensPen to clean your lenses quickly and safely. When not in use, always replace the lens caps and store your binoculars in a case.

How do I focus my binoculars properly?
There are several steps you should take to focus your binoculars. The first step is to close your right eye and look through the left side of the binocular. Turn the center focusing wheel until you have a sharp image. Then close your left eye and look through the right side. Turn the dieter eyepiece until you have a sharp image in that eye. Last, look through both eyepieces and use only the center focusing wheel when looking at objects at different distances. Now you are ready to fully enjoy your binoculars.

NIGHT VISION

What is the effective viewing range of the night vision device?
Viewing range varies anywhere from 10 to 400 feet. The maximum viewing distance greatly depends on the outside conditions. Such occurrences as overcast conditions, fog, rain, etc. may greatly reduce the effective distance of a night vision viewer.

Can I use the night vision device in extremely low light, or absolutely no light?
While it is true that your Night Vision device needs some available light to work, it is still possible to see a bright image in low light or no light situations with the use of an infrared illuminator, which is standard on our FoxBat models.

What type of light source can be harmful for a night vision device?
Your night vision device is intended for viewing objects in the dark, therefore, it may be harmful to use it during the daytime, or whenever there is a sufficient amount of light to see the object. Also keep in mind that strong direct light, such as projectors, car head lamps, strong flashlights and so on, may be harmful to your night vision unit.

How do I focus a night vision device?
It is recommended to start focusing from the eyepiece (ocular lens) and then move to the front lens (objective lens). You may have to adjust each lens several times before getting a sharp image.

Are FoxBat products shockproof?
No. Night vision products are sensitive to impact and should be treated as carefully as you would a photographic camera or a camcorder.

Can the night vision device and/or infrared illuminator be harmful to a person in any way?
Night vision devices are shielded, and do not produce any danger to the human eye and/or skin. Individuals with sensitive eyes, and those who experience eye pain while watching TV, may experience some eye fatigue if they use their night vision viewer for a prolonged time. When I am using my night vision device, I sometimes hear a buzzing sound. Is it normal? Yes. The buzzing sound is quite normal, and unless it is affecting the performance of your night vision viewer, it is not considered to be and imperfection. It is the power supply working to produce and image on your intensifier tube which is then picked up by the ocular so that you can see what you are looking at.

Can my night vision device be used as a thermal imager?
Night vision devices are passive and operate as a light amplifier, which assists you in viewing in dark conditions. It cannot detect heat which is the technology behind thermal imaging.

Is the FoxBat waterproof?
No. Exposure to water and other liquids and even high humidity may cause damage.

Would it be harmful for the night vision device to pass through an airport x-ray checkpoint?
It is absolutely safe to pass your night vision device through the baggage security check at the airports.

What type of batteries does the FoxBat use, and how long will the batteries last?
FoxBat products use two AA batteries. Generally the device will last for 15-20 hours of continuous use if the infrared illuminator is in the OFF position. If used with the illuminator, expect 30-40% less operating time.

What is the warranty on the FoxBat?
Every Foxbat comes with a one-year limited warranty on parts and labor. This warranty does not cover exposure of the device to excessive light which is discussed in more detail in your owners manual.

MAGNIFIERS

What are the advantages of glass magnifying lenses?
Glass magnifiers allow very high light transmission, which provides a very clear, precise image. Glass magnifiers are also durable and extremely difficult to scratch.

What are the advantages of acrylic magnifying lenses?

Acrylic magnifiers are extremely lightweight and durable. They are shatterproof and difficult to break. Acrylic material also makes it possible to have a smaller, more powerful magnifier inset in the larger lens.

What is the best type of acrylic used to create magnifying lenses?
The highest quality acrylic lenses are made with PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate). This material allows for high light transmission, and is very hard and scratch resistant. Almost all of our magnifiers are created using this material.