pmagee Posted February 16, 2015 Share #1 Posted February 16, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just wanted to note that the small dark gray battery lock/latch has broken on my X Vario. It is made of plastic and it has split, leaving a portion of the mechanism in the body. For reference it happened while trying to take the battery out to charge it and not when putting it in. It doesn't look like it's user replaceable, but I am moments away from leaving on a trip so I will have to look into this when I get back. Has anyone managed to repair this on their own? Fortunately, the camera is still operational without the clip, the battery/sd card door itself holds the battery with enough pressure to make the contacts. I see it happened on someone's X1, but I figured I'd start a thread for this issue on the XV. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Hi pmagee, Take a look here X Vario Battery Lock Broken. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Lee Martin Posted February 16, 2015 Share #2 Posted February 16, 2015 Such a basic thing to design in the first place and not what you expect at this level of equipment. Let's hope you're not without it for too many months when you send it back after your trip Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
waloszek Posted February 16, 2015 Share #3 Posted February 16, 2015 I had this issue already and asked Leica to send me a replacement part. They did so, and after some attempts, I managed to repair my camera. You can find details on this on my website: Leica X Vario: Damages to the Camera Best regards, Gerd 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted February 17, 2015 Share #4 Posted February 17, 2015 Sorry to hear this. I had a similar issue with my X1, and there is/was a thread on this as well, about 6 months ago. Mine (X1) was repaired by the local Leica facility, quickly, and efficiently. If you are past a Leica repair facility on your travels, maybe ask, it is a simple and reasonably straightforward repair. While I agree, on this level of equipment it should not happen, it did, but was rectified painlessly. Gary 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
manny.illana Posted February 17, 2015 Share #5 Posted February 17, 2015 Mine broke down as well early December and have yet to have it fixed. May need to bring it to Leica SG however am based in Manila. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
2wk Posted February 17, 2015 Share #6 Posted February 17, 2015 I used the camera for about six months with the broken latch. My warranty was nearing the end and I also had a speck of dust on the sensor so it is being repaired in NJ right now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmagee Posted February 21, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted February 21, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks for the info everyone. I will try waloszek's suggestions based on the information on his website. Much appreciated. I will report how it goes! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmagee Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted March 16, 2015 I just wanted to follow-up quickly on this issue and report that it's been resolved. I contacted Leica in New Jersey by email and they sent the part free of charge to Canada. No instructions were provided and I did find it was a bit tricky to put the part in. Before I could install the new part, the bottom half of the clip was still in the camera. I can't really say that I removed it the best way possible... I forced the part sideways in order to allow it to slide out. The only other way I could think of doing this was cutting the broken part in two. The inside of the X Vario is plastic so I don't really recommend removing the broken pieces like I did, I could have easily damaged the housing of the battery lock. After extracting the broken half from the camera, I put the spring onto the new clip and tried to install it many times before succeeding. The spring tends to fall inside the camera body but I almost lost it outside the body a few times. Make sure you do this in a well lit area, I found it was easiest to lay on the ground and do the work there. I had very thin tweezers that allowed me to pressure fit the spring onto the battery lock and using two pairs of tweezers I managed to hold the battery lock in place and use a second pair to press the new clip into position. I realize that there was perhaps a way to simplify this repair by removing the bottom plate, but I was not sure what that entailed so I chose to do it from the outside. I have to say that you are really proceeding at your own risk when repairing the battery lock! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eduardo iglesias Posted September 14, 2015 Share #9 Posted September 14, 2015 I had the problem of broken latch one year ago; thought about "bad luck". Last May, when visiting New York city brought the camera to a workshop and it was repaired satisfactorily. Those days visiting B&H I bought an almost new LX1 at a very attractive price and felt very happy to have an excellent camera with an excellent back up. BUT.... everything went well up to a couple of days ago when the latch of the second LX1 also broke. Just now, I realize that the first breakage was not matter of bad luck. It is matter of simply, ordinary bad design. Pitty, I had plans to go up in the Leica X line. I will not, of course. Eduardo Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted September 14, 2015 Share #10 Posted September 14, 2015 Considering the use this battery latch experiences, I do believe more attention could have been given to making the design and material more durable Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manoleica Posted September 15, 2015 Share #11 Posted September 15, 2015 I had the problem of broken latch one year ago; thought about "bad luck". Last May, when visiting New York city brought the camera to a workshop and it was repaired satisfactorily. Those days visiting B&H I bought an almost new LX1 at a very attractive price and felt very happy to have an excellent camera with an excellent back up. BUT.... everything went well up to a couple of days ago when the latch of the second LX1 also broke. Just now, I realize that the first breakage was not matter of bad luck. It is matter of simply, ordinary bad design. Pitty, I had plans to go up in the Leica X line. I will not, of course. Eduardo How sad, there are probably 100's of thousands Leicas that do not have a broken battery catch. I suppose if you have a light bulb on your vehicle you cannot replace yourself you adopt the stamp my foot" attitude! Things break, that's why there are repair specialist!! Everything could possibly be designed better but the cost might inhibit even you buying the product. Get it repaired, chill out, enjoy... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manoleica Posted September 15, 2015 Share #12 Posted September 15, 2015 Considering the use this battery latch experiences, I do believe more attention could have been given to making the design and material more durable I agree, but it is how it is. My X1 & XVario get regular use, I just take a little more care when replacing batteries. If the catch breaks Leica will be there for me. I agree the turn around times are frustrating, so my 2 DSLR Nikons, Safari & V-Lux's will get a well deserved work out..'()' Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafish Posted September 15, 2015 Share #13 Posted September 15, 2015 I use an X (113) and X Vario regularly and am not any more or less careful with the latch on these cameras than on any others. So far no issues or concerns with either camera (knock on plastic). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinY3 Posted January 19, 2019 Share #14 Posted January 19, 2019 Hi, I have the same issue with my XV. The camera operates w/o the battery tab. Is it safe to keep the camera this way? Is it possible to cause any other issues since it is missing the battery tab? As of now I made a couple layer of gadgets tape to try and keep the battery as right fit as possible. Thank you and warm regards, Justin Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
firoze Posted March 6, 2019 Share #15 Posted March 6, 2019 On 1/19/2019 at 10:44 AM, JustinY3 said: Hi, I have the same issue with my XV. The camera operates w/o the battery tab. Is it safe to keep the camera this way? Is it possible to cause any other issues since it is missing the battery tab? As of now I made a couple layer of gadgets tape to try and keep the battery as right fit as possible. Thank you and warm regards, Justin Justin, the battery lock on my XV also broke. I used a thin bit of folded paper to keep it snug with the cover closed and had no problems using it that way for a few months. Eventually I had it repaired at Leica Wetzlar free of cost as a gesture of goodwill. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikej Posted June 25, 2019 Share #16 Posted June 25, 2019 My X-Vario slider broke today, after 5 years of very careful use. Leica has already responded and is sending the replacement part. Cheers, Mike 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmagee Posted June 27, 2019 Author Share #17 Posted June 27, 2019 Interesting. My replacement lock eventually broke again. I never bothered replacing it again and just keep the battery loose in there. So far it hasn't been an issue! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lykaman Posted June 27, 2019 Share #18 Posted June 27, 2019 2 hours ago, pmagee said: Interesting. My replacement lock eventually broke again. I never bothered replacing it again and just keep the battery loose in there. So far it hasn't been an issue! +1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikej Posted July 2, 2019 Share #19 Posted July 2, 2019 Hi, all - I received the replacement lock from Leica USA in about a week, and just installed it. After searching the toolbox, I found a pair of jewelry-sized bent-nose needle nose pliers to insert the new lock quickly and safely. Cheers, Mike Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/241159-x-vario-battery-lock-broken/?do=findComment&comment=3770553'>More sharing options...
DS1969 Posted July 7, 2019 Share #20 Posted July 7, 2019 https://www.macfilos.com/2019/07/02/ricoh-gr-and-leica-x2-teeter-on-their-perches/ Recent article on Macfilos where Mike Evans X2 had the same issue - he popped it in to a Leica store in London and they resolved the issue. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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