Yes. The battery is an 1100 mA unit such as used in the Motorola T720/T730 cellphone. The model number for the Motorola cell phone battery is SNN5595B. Many users have confirmed that this battery works with the Explorist 400/500/600. Motorola SNN5595A is the exact same size and also works well, but has a lower capacity than the "B" version.

Yes. The battery cover snaps off and can be swapped with a level of difficulty comparable to a cell phone battery replacement. No tools are required.

About three hours with the unit plugged into a non-USB power source. About six hours if it's drawing power from only USB.

The wall outlet which originally came in the package violated European laws (non conformity to safety regulations, no CE sign) and was dangerous to operate in 230V wall outlet because of risk of fingers touching live metal conductors. Magellan started a recall on this power units in November 2005. (http://www.magellangps.com/en/news/notice_powercable-home_eu.asp): Power units with the Part number 730391 (see sticker on power unit) are being exchanged free of charge (call their hotline on the toll free number 00800 MAGELLAN (0 080 062 435 526))

Magellan claims about 17 hours. One reader measured it.

Magellan sells a clip for about $10 that lets you install three AAA batteries. Reviews from the field show mixed results. The runtime of this combination seems to be hovering between five and six hours, but some folks really like being able to zip into a corner market and pick up a "refresher" pack.

Note that the runtime of the AAA solution is is lower than that of the LiIon battery. The typical AAA batteries are hovering around 800-900 MaH as of this writing (units rated 1000 are just starting to appears) while the high capacity LiIon provides about 1300 MaH of power, both at 3.6v.

Rechargeable AAA's will not be recharged while in the unit; they must be removed from the unit and placed in an external charger.