I love mine and believe it still has the original battery - but I have had it for at least 3 years. The first time I saw it I passed on it, thought it was a luxury item and not needed. But the more I quilted the more it made sense. So the following year I went to the show, and when I found it belong demonstrated I bought it. The friend with me said it looked like a mustache trimmer to her - I had never seen a mustache trimmer, my husband always used scissors - so I thought I wasn't going to wait another year if she was wrong so paid my $16.00 and went home with it. That's part of the fun going to the shows is getting something new.
It works well, I have nicked fabric on those times I used a very tight stitch - but have done that with my manual rippers too.