Yeah, oddly, the intro text says what the problem is:
Users do not have to search for a hard to read diagram to determine how to insert the batteries.
Make the diagram easier to read. Don't make the diagram in thin raise lines embedded into the plastic at an angle that it's hard to shine light on them and look into the device at the same time.
But really, I like it when batteries are keyed so they only go in one way. No directions at all.
Make the diagram easier to read. Don't make the diagram in thin raise lines embedded into the plastic at an angle that it's hard to shine light on them and look into the device at the same time.
That's a nice dream, but taking a lot at most of my children's small toys, I'd say it's an impossible one. At the least, it's an incredibly hard nut to crack.
On the other hand, a small symbol that meant "insert the batteries any way you wish" would do wonders.
That's a branding issue. You define it once, industry-wide, and blanket products with it. It's a challenge, but significantly different (and easier, in my opinion) than expecting that each separate device clearly labels which way the batteries need to be oriented in that device, in such a way as to be clear, and readable at an angle, like the parent post requested.
The problem is often that the directional indicators are not in a readable place. Often you have to have a light shining on them, but they are in a cavity in the device that you can't look into and easily shine light into at the same time. This is what I meant by "at an angle that it's hard to shine light on them and look into the device at the same time", in case it was ambiguous.
But I really think having them keyed is the way to go. You can put cylindrical batteries in either way, and that's the problem. You can't even reliably attach a 9-volt the wrong way, and often times the 9-volt battery compartment won't close unless the contacts are fully attached.
Users do not have to search for a hard to read diagram to determine how to insert the batteries.
Make the diagram easier to read. Don't make the diagram in thin raise lines embedded into the plastic at an angle that it's hard to shine light on them and look into the device at the same time.
But really, I like it when batteries are keyed so they only go in one way. No directions at all.