HELP! I BROKE MY ARM!

[Frodov]

Well.. not my arm exactly, the armREST on my White's Prizm IV snapped on me while I was detecting in a local park this morning. It doesn't really affect the machine or it's function, but it does make it a little trickier and less comfortable for the operator.. namely ME. <grin> Now this machine is a little over four months old, purchased new, would the armrest be covered under any kind of warranty? I'm sure I can fashion some kind of replacement.. it may not be as sleek or stylish as the factory original, but I can make something that will work for the time being. I was wondering if anyone out there knows who to contact for getting a replacement, either by warranty or by purchase. Is there an upgrade to a METAL armrest? A different design perhaps?
Any insight would be welcomed, and THANKS in advance.


Frodov


p.s. here are some pics of the damaged armrest.

 

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[djabend]

My armrest is metal but the XLT is A BIT more pricey of a MD. Perhaps you can find the armrest to a higher priced MD somewere.
HH,
Donny

 

[spez401]

Call white's... they'll probably send you a new one, especially if it's still under warranty. If not, I have a few various armcuffs laying around my house... i think they're metal, and either from my old DFX or Surfmaster PI. They'll probably fit the XLT. If you want (and whites' doesn't send you one, get me your addy, and i'll drop one in the mail for you.

In the meantime, run down to home depot, or the local hardware store, and get some "jb weld" 2 part epoxy. It comes in a cylinder, and looks like a "tube" of clay - gray outside, and black inside. works great on metal or plastic. It'll give you a quick fix till you get the new cuff. Just cut off a slice, like you're bakin' cookies, mix to a uniform color, then apply to the break. Stronger than superglue, and will probably last a bit longer.

steve

 

[re-tek]

dude... how'd you manage to break that?

i'd call up the manufacturer and tell them what happened. maybe they'll send you a new one at no charge if your under warranty.

 

[hollowpointred]

whites has an incredible reputation for taking care of their customers after the sale. (one of the reasons they are so good). contact them and i would be surprised if they didn't amaze you by how well they treat you.

 

[Old Dog]

That is a Metal Detector!
Not a weed eater.....

it won't cut brush!

LOL
OD

 

[Tin Nugget]

Whites will send you one no charge or you can buy a stainless steel one off ebay or one of the MD shops. They usually break because they are not completely tight. Not sure about yours but when you get it replaced check it every so often.

 

[Frodov]

Thanks for all the help offers and suggestions gang. Crisis is no more. I did look up my warranty information and the armrest was indeed covered under the two year plan. I *did* call up my local dealer who in turn called the regional distributor who got back to me with "Just bring it (the old machine) on in and we'll give you a new one. No problem." ?
I was stunned.. trading out a $400.00 + detector because of a faulty $2.00 plastic part? WOW! My dealer said "Yeah, we've got a few more PrizmIV 's in stock right now, so if you just bring in your old machine we'll trade it out today."
And so I did. I took the original box and my old machine replete with broken plastic armcuff (armrest?) and at the front counter of the HobbyTown (my dealer) they had a brand new machine waiting for me. I did have them take the Bullseye II out of the box with the new detector though, as I didn't bring my old one back with me. I guess I could have kept my mouth shut and got a new one, but it just didn't seem right. <shrug> Besides, my bullseye works just fine. As does the old machine, it's just a cheap part people! It kind of seems like trading in a car for a new one because one of the tail lights quit working or something. Know what I mean?
Oh well.. new machine is assembled, armcuff is whole and seemingly sturdy. The crisis is over and all is well. Oh and by the way.. It didn't break because I was swinging the detector like a weed eater (though it works pretty well in that function sometimes). <grin> I just think that it's a design flaw in this series. While it may be cheaper to produce the plastic part, and it may even be lighter than metal, but if you are going to exchange detectors over that part, are you really saving money? I think I would have gone with a light gauge metal armrest configuration.
I may yet.. I'm sure this new one will fatigue and eventually break like the last one did. I'll be ready for it this time though. <smile> Thanks again everyone!


Frodov

 

[Old Dog]

Frodov,
Glad to hear the problem is solved.
Super dealer you have.
Not very often you hear about a trade like that!

Couldn't have happened to a better guy.

OD

 

[James in Alabama]

Thanks for all the help offers and suggestions gang. Crisis is no more. I did look up my warranty information and the armrest was indeed covered under the two year plan. I *did* call up my local dealer who in turn called the regional distributor who got back to me with "Just bring it (the old machine) on in and we'll give you a new one. No problem." ?
I was stunned.. trading out a $400.00 + detector because of a faulty $2.00 plastic part? WOW! My dealer said "Yeah, we've got a few more PrizmIV 's in stock right now, so if you just bring in your old machine we'll trade it out today."
And so I did. I took the original box and my old machine replete with broken plastic armcuff (armrest?) and at the front counter of the HobbyTown (my dealer) they had a brand new machine waiting for me. I did have them take the Bullseye II out of the box with the new detector though, as I didn't bring my old one back with me. I guess I could have kept my mouth shut and got a new one, but it just didn't seem right. <shrug> Besides, my bullseye works just fine. As does the old machine, it's just a cheap part people! It kind of seems like trading in a car for a new one because one of the tail lights quit working or something. Know what I mean?
Oh well.. new machine is assembled, armcuff is whole and seemingly sturdy. The crisis is over and all is well. Oh and by the way.. It didn't break because I was swinging the detector like a weed eater (though it works pretty well in that function sometimes). <grin> I just think that it's a design flaw in this series. While it may be cheaper to produce the plastic part, and it may even be lighter than metal, but if you are going to exchange detectors over that part, are you really saving money? I think I would have gone with a light gauge metal armrest configuration.
I may yet.. I'm sure this new one will fatigue and eventually break like the last one did. I'll be ready for it this time though. <smile> Thanks again everyone!


Frodov

Dude,

FYI, Whites still replaced my broken XLT armcuff three months after the two year warranty had expired and even sent me a few extra velcro bands and LCD display plastic covers to boot free of charge. Whites even paid for the shipping! They are an awesome company and know how to take care of their customers even after warranty

HH...James

 

[re-tek]

interesting to hear all this stuff about whites customer service. my experience with fisher has been less than palatable.

frodov,
i guess you strap your detector on your arm? so you do a one handed dig or unstrap the thing everytime you find something? just curious. i set mine on the ground so i can dig with one hand and probe with the other. cant see having to play with that strap everytime something beeps.

 

[borninok]

Ok, Frodov, we've met your wife...so tell us the truth now.....bet you "asked" her to dig one of your signals and she hit ya over the head....breaking the armrest......come on, you can tell us the truth.......LOL

Gotta admit....when a company will switch out an entire MD for just a broken armrest....you gotta give them a lot of credit.

HH,
Mel

borninok

 

[Frodov]

Yeah, I'm still a little stunned at the whole exchange thing over just a simple plastic part. I'll tell you this much though, they made a loyal customer out of me, that's for sure! Of course it helps that I really like my detector to start with but to have such good support from the manufacturer and the suppliers.. well that's just icing on the cake so to speak.
As to questions of strapping my arm INto the armrest?? No.. I let my arm "rest" in the cuff just like everyone else. Or so I would imagine. As to my wife hitting me about the head and shoulders with my detector... well... I can't say that she's never had that thought to cross her mind, but I *CAN* say that she's not acted on that thought if she's had it. <grin> No, Val can be demonstrative at times, but she's never been violent. <wink>

Thanks again for all the posts, suggestions and help offered by everyone. It's nice to know that there are people out there who will take a minute or two to pass along a little wisdom or advice... utilized or not. <grin> Happy Hunting all !


Frodov

 

[UnEarthed72]

JB Weld and some sand paper,man i'll tell you that stuff is amazing(until you can get a replacement)

 

[Colonial KirkPA]

Yeah, I'm still a little stunned at the whole exchange thing over just a simple plastic part. I'll tell you this much though, they made a loyal customer out of me, that's for sure! Of course it helps that I really like my detector to start with but to have such good support from the manufacturer and the suppliers.. well that's just icing on the cake so to speak.
As to questions of strapping my arm INto the armrest?? No.. I let my arm "rest" in the cuff just like everyone else. Or so I would imagine. As to my wife hitting me about the head and shoulders with my detector... well... I can't say that she's never had that thought to cross her mind, but I *CAN* say that she's not acted on that thought if she's had it. <grin> No, Val can be demonstrative at times, but she's never been violent. <wink>

Thanks again for all the posts, suggestions and help offered by everyone. It's nice to know that there are people out there who will take a minute or two to pass along a little wisdom or advice... utilized or not. <grin> Happy Hunting all !


Frodov

That is White's for you! Minelab or any other company would never do it!

 

[desertfox]

There are other MD companys out there that will do the same as White's did. Take care of the customer, without us they go by the way side. A big one that comes to mind is Tesoro, lifetime warranty no questions asked! Tesoro and White's are top of the line in my book.
Oh, and just so everyone knows I also own, Fisher, Bounty Hunter and Minelab detectors. I have water and land deectors and each one has/had a place in my hunts. HH all

Desertfox

 

[Jack(IN)]

[/quote]

That is White's for you! Minelab or any other company would never do it!
[/quote]

Wrong answer, I had one replaced at no charge, had the detector five years and they replaced it with no problem. I know you might be joking, but seriously, most manufacturers will replace these items. Frodov has a great DEALER and he helped as much as Whites. Minelab has great customer service, and for me, for ME only whites is 0-3 in service, shame to have to say that but its true. Not saying they don't have great customer service, but from my viewpoint they don't. I don't care how they treated anyone else, just for me when I say 0 for 3!!

 

[Old Dog]

Maybe white's learned a lesson.
Sorry your experience was a poor one ,

I have recently heard only good things.

OD

 

[Sandman]

Doesn't matter if you have a Whites, Garrett, Tesoro or Minelab, they all offer excellent service. In your case Frodov, your dealer swaped detectors for you if I read it right. This is one major reason from buying from a dealer with a store front.

I'm glad everything worked out fine for you.