Nintendo Nintendo 3DS battery limitations- really that bad?

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/03/cradled-by-inadequacy-the-3ds-battery-put-to-the-test.ars

4.5hrs usage, 3.5hrs to charge.

Do you really want your kids playing more than a couple of hours a day on this unit? Surely there's a limit that we'd set for our kids? The 3D issues with eyesight/brain are a worry enough as it is, without people complaining they can't use it for more than 4.5hrs without needing to go charge it !!!

 

Stop it!
You are talking like an old guy!

 

Haha! I played a couple of hours of Alien Swarm tonight. (nice free steam game, coop 4 player, sort of like Aliens, but I digress)

1) There are major health concerns with the 3D hardware effect
2) RSI anyone?
3) Come on! Blue skies, shorts and t-shirt weather, the kids need to be outside, like me! Now where's my RC plane I wanted for my birthday

 

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Introducing the Harrier AV-8 Jump Jet 4CH Electric RC Aircraft. This incredible flying machine has a total of 4 rotors and is made of lightweight, super tough plastic so you don't need to worry about breaking anything when landing this bad boy a bit too rough. It can go forward, backward, up, down, left, right, hover and move side to side. This product is suitable for ages of 14 and up and is ready to run, there is not assemble necessary. All you need is 6 AA batteries for the transmitter which also acts as a charger and you are good to go!
Features:

• Electric Powered
• 4 Channel Control
• Built-in Rechargeable Battery
• Gyro Stabilized
• Long Flight Time
• LED Under Lights
• Easy To Fly
• Ready To Fly

Includes:

• Harrier AV-8 Jump Jet RC 4CH Electric RTF RC Aircraft
• Transmitter
• 12V Wall Charger
• 4 Spare Rotors
• 5 Aluminum Weights

Specifications:

• Length: 13.5 Inches
• Width: 12 Inches
• Height: 3.25 Inches

Battery Requirements:

• Vehicle: 3.7V Li-Poly Rechargeable Battery (Included)
• Transmitter: 6 AA Alkaline Batteries (Not Included)

​

 

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I see the Predator Drone is out of stock already. I wonder if people are using it to scare the hell out of their gun toting neighbours? I like the A10-Warthog though. Recently I Saw Airwolf in a local shop, but the reality round here is that the niche ones are indoor flight only unfortunately. They can't handle a breeze.

When you're young, you can't handle these things, when you're older, people think there is something wrong with you. My kids and remote control aircraft usually last 10mins till they stuff it into the ground or a tree and the parts break. One plane actually lasted 30secs once. I was dismayed. I hadn't had my turn yet, lol!

 

in the 3ds owners manual it says:

On the brightest light setting and constantly using the 3d features the charge should last between 5-3 hours.

On the lowest light setting and having power saver mode active the charge should last 13-15 hours.

I know this is true because when I first got my 3ds I had lego Star Wars III for it and I fully charged the battery and was playing the game in 3d mode (on the brightest light setting because my mind told me the images were clearer that way.) and after 3 and a half hours it flashed the led indicator light red like four times then died.

But then I fully Charged it and turned the brightness down to the lowest setting and it in power saver mode and played pokemon white for almost 15 hours before having to charge it.


I will agree that there may be some health issues with the 3d but only and I repeat ONLY if you are using it for like several hours straight with out resting but the same goes for any video game, your computer, sunlight, the television, a normal light, a florescent light, pretty much anything. I will admit I even get headaches using the 3d feature but I also get headaches reading, using the internet, typing on my laptop, basically anything that causes me to strain my eyes (but I think that is mostly because I lost my glasses.) or my mind (I even get headaches from thinking too much.)