Leapster Explorer Battery Or Not>????

You CAN use regular "AA" batteries, but this toy is a MAJOR battery hog.  We ponied up and bought the recharging dock  (At a not-so-nice price of 40 bucks)  So far it is way better on life span of batteries, but unfortunately we have 2 kiddos with the devices so it is a bit more expensive to buy 2 recharging stations....and according to Leapfrog's customer service, there is NOT an option to buy additional battery packs...you have to pony up another 40 bucks for another recharger.  I have no idea what they will tell a customer when their battery packs fail....Rechargeable batteries don't last forever. 

The rechargers are specifically designed to ONLY fit the Explorers, so other will not work.  They also do not reccomend using regualr rechargeable batteries as the console shuts itself off before the rechargeable batteries can fully discharge and thus making the batteries less efficient for recharging. 

YES IT TAKES BATTERIES, 4-AA. IF YOU CALL LEAPFROG, IT SAYS ON THEIR GREETING TO USE NON-RECHARGABLE BATTERIES, BUT ON THEIR WEBSITE THEY ADVERTISE RECHARGABLE BATTERIES TO BUY WITH THE PRODUCT;SO WEATHER RECHARGABLE BATTERIES ARE COMPATIBLE OR NOT IS A TECH SUPPORT QUESTION. NOW, LEAPFROG.COM DOES OFFER A RECHARGING SYSTEM FOR 40.00 AND IF YOU ARE LIKE ME AND HAVE 2 CHILDREN WITH A LEAPSTER EXPLORER THEN YOU CAN ALSO ORDER AN ADDITIONAL BATTERY PACK FOR 24.95 PLUS SHIPPING. THE TOTAL FOR ME CAME TO ABOUT $34 FOR GROUND SHIPPING (7-10 DAYS). THE QUESTION FOR THIS SOLUTION IS...IS THE $6 SAVINGS WORTH THE 10 DAY WAIT?!!