[MG1]

I purchased a monitoring system for my mother-in-law who lives downstairs. She loses balance every now and then, so this monitoring system works well. She wears this pendant that has the ability to call up to three phone numbers if the person wearing it pushes the large button. I have my cell number listed as main contact. It's two way, so I can ask her if she's okay, etc. It's made by Vtech and even though I really dislike products made by them, it fit the bill. It was affordable and only dials the three numbers and not 911. Plus, no monthly fees/costs. Anyway, I've had this thing for just over a year. The pendant is not serviceable. I knew that, but decided it's not a big deal. I can order a replacement when the pendant dies. Well, it died. I looked on the Internet for a replacement. No luck. All sold out and unavailable. Well, fuck. Typical Vtech. They discontinued the product and they don't have any replacements in stock. They never thought about it. Again, typical bullshit from a useless company. Anyway, I took the pendant apart and found out, the battery is a typical Lithium Polymer 3.7 volt 450 mAh battery. Guess what? Can't find it anywhere on the Internet. I ended up going to Lee's Electronics and found one that was very close to the original physical size (slightly bigger). Rated at 500mAh, but that's not a big deal. There are warning labels inside the pendant stating using anything other than the installed battery can cause an explosion. I just finished desoldering the old battery leads and soldered the new battery leads and put everything back together again. It's always good when there are no screws left over.......... (right, Flip?).

Anyway, so happy it all worked out. Oh, and fuck you, Vtech. Less that two years, and you decide to discontinue the product, then to add insult to injury, not offer replacement parts? I know, I know, I should have known better than purchase electronics from a Mickey Mouse company. Oh well, par for the course. And their tech department, lol. Nobody there knows what to do. No idea what an IC is from a capacitor. Sorry........... I shouldn't bitch about Vtech. This is supposed to be positive posts only, so yes, I am very happy it's working again.