@Ben. Thanks, that may be the case here too!
@Doug: Thanks for the reply. I see your points, but still bemused at the cost, even when you take in the points you have made.
As regards 'forced insertion'; it wasn't really; as I say, there's a looseness about the firewire socket on mine so you don't need to force it in. In fairness though, I was in a dark studio at the time, and it's the first time in, what, 4 years that's happened!
I agree that with no moving parts these backs are very reliable. Indeed, even with this fault everything else works fine, so they have some degree of tolerance. If things like this are not covered in warranty - extended or otherwise- then the warranty is useless, with the exception of if you are paying for a loaner, but I suspect that if you are doing any great level of work, you may well have a second back anyway.
I would recommend good insurance. Mine is about 15% more than 1 years extended Phase One warranty, but covers ALL my equipment against theft, accidental, loss etc, UK & Europe, as well as Public Liability (£2m), Employers Liability, Professional Indemnity.
So, just a point of interest there for any thinking about buying backs.
Now Doug, you don't think I be stupid enough to try and put a cucumber in the battery slot??? But I have to say, it does run well on pickled gherkins! Anyway, I guess I'll have a perfectly working and calibrated back when it returns.
Cheers & Thanks