Includes - High-capacity iPod battery, two non-scratching nylon case opening tools, and a CD-ROM with QuickTime installation videos
Rating: - Cheap way to keep your "old" iPod running
I don't know why Apple doesn't continue to support their products, but they don't and when my 3g iPod's battery stopped holding a charge (the battery they recalled a couple of years ago - but it worked ok then), I wanted to replace it rather than get a new iPod. I thought oh great, I'm really going to get gouged for a new battery. But this Sonnet battery was so cheap as to be hard to believe. What the hell, if it didn't work out, nothing lost! At first I thought it was a ripoff because all I got in the mail was an empty package - no battery, no tools. But I asked for replacement through Amazon's system and pretty quick the right thing showed up. I was very pleased that this worked out because it is not a very transparent system. I then set about figuring out how to install the battery. This instructions really aren't very clear and they didn't match my iPod exactly. After the fact I found a web site that does a much better job. However, once I got the battery in and the iPod reassembled, it worked great! Overall, this is a good deal. My iPod works again, I didn't spend much money and I experienced good customer service.
Rating: - The tool that comes with is gets blunt fast
I have had the battery for a few weeks now and it seems to be working fine. The tool is not very strong and gets blunt very fast.
Rating: - Piece of cake (take it from a klutz), but be certain you need a battery.
I ordered the least expensive battery from one of the sub-vendors listed for this product. It came with the same tools, but no sign of the word "Sonnet" on the battery (looks to me like a fairly generic product regardless of the label) and no CD-Rom disc with instructions as advertised. This would have been unfortunate were it not for the ready availability of tutorials on the internet.
I came to the project with trepidation after reading the experiences and warnings of others. Moreover, the microscopic printed directions that came with the battery say (quote): "This is NOT an easy process. Expect to fail repeatedly." They go on to warn you against cutting yourself while re-sharpening the tools, which are sure to break!
Nonsense. This is an easier, quicker install than adding memory to a Macbook. I found two different instructions on the internet: A. the video on youtube takes a detailed, thorough approach, requiring you to disconnect the ribbon wire to the iPod's input and to unscrew the circuit board in order to route the battery wires underneath it--as is the case with the original; B. the free video tutorial supplied by a prominent iPod repair place and supplier omitted both the disconnect of the input ribbon wire and the unscrewing of the circuit board (it was sufficient to pack down the extra wire carefully on top of the board).
As for opening the device, it was surprisingly easy, almost shockingly so after previous testimony. The smaller of the 2 tools broke immediately, but the broader one just as quickly found an opening and pried up one side, which means you're home. It snapped back into place and is as tight as it was when new. I incidentally decided to follow the quicker, 2nd set of instructions.
The iPod logo showed on my screen, so my installation proved out perfectly, but that wasn't the problem. After much searching I discovered that 1. I needed to use a Firewire connection for my iPod; 2. I needed go into "Disk Mode" in order to install an updated system and do a "Restore." Now it's back to like-new condition. Could have been worse. I spent less than $20 and learned something.
Rating: - Not an Easy Install
Not easy to get an ipod open. The tools provided are not very strong. The video instructions are not clear on opening the case and replugging the hard drive - big images of the installer's hands. So far the battery seems strong.
- 
-