SDS100/SDS200: SCROLL KNOB BROKE OFF

[tampatracker]

Hello everybody, I just sent my SDS100 back to Uniden repair. It has been there before but not for this, and I am curious if anyone else out there has had this happen, and if so did you send it into repair and if so what was you're outcome? TIA. TT

 

[n1chu]

As Uniden will repair for a flat fee of about $80-90, I hope they won’t charge you that much for one knob! Call them, let them know you already shipped it and ask about them not charging you the flat rate.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Is it only the knob or the whole control (including shaft)? Of course, since the unit is already on the way back, I'm not sure there is anything I can do at this point.

 

[n1chu]

Is it only the knob or the whole control (including shaft)? Of course, since the unit is already on the way back, I'm not sure there is anything I can do at this point.

Why not? If you are who you say you are (Uniden Representative) I’m sure a concern expressed by you carries more weight... whatever, still thinking it’s a good idea to have the guy with the broken knob call repair and inquire... nothing to loose and much to gain. Here’s hoping they just turn the scanner around and send it back with a new knob at no charge or at least charge just for the part and shipping.

 

[JoeBearcat]

My point/comment was that IF it was only the knob, I might have been able to get a replacement sent to him.
That is a moot point now. Since this is the only example of this issue, I'm not too concerned about it being a major issue.

But, that does not mean I won't be keeping an eye on it.

 

[n1chu]

My comment wasn’t mean as a dig. Sorry if it came across that way. It’s just that with a title like “”Uniden Rep” it struck me a bit odd when I read your statement referring to “not much you could do” because the scanner had already been shipped back for repair. Glad to hear you are tracking it.

My concern was that he would get the scanner back with a new knob and a $90 bill and let everyone know how he was unfairly treated. Knobs don’t cost $90 and Uniden is better than that.

 

[MStep]

My comment wasn’t mean as a dig. Sorry if it came across that way. It’s just that with a title like “”Uniden Rep” it struck me a bit odd when I read your statement referring to “not much you could do” because the scanner had already been shipped back for repair. Glad to hear you are tracking it.

My concern was that he would get the scanner back with a new knob and a $90 bill and let everyone know how he was unfairly treated. Knobs don’t cost $90 and Uniden is better than that.

I've also gotten confused sometimes in the way Joe sometimes words his replies. I remember a similar statement he made that required some clarification as to his affiliation with Uniden. I do seem to recall him mentioning several times to the effect that the "Service Department" is not his forte. But as I always say, I don't speak for Joe.

In any event Joe, that was a very nice gesture, offering to send the part out to the guy, if in fact, it had been only the knob. I hope tampatracker replies to advise whether it was just the knob, or if the damage was done to the entire shaft. As you mentioned, sending him a replacement at this point is fruitless.

It's a great idea, in general, for folks having ANY issues with their SDS radios (or any units) to check in here first, before taking any other action. There are many, many guys (much more knowledgeable than me), who can offer solutions and ideas that can be more effective than a return to Uniden for repairs. I sometimes wonder how many radios got packed up and shipped back over the "Nothing To Scan" issue.

And n1chu, I agree that if it requires just popping on a new knob, $90 USD would seem to be excessive. But somehow I getting the impression from tampatracker's brief post, that it may have been more than just a cracked knob.

C'mon tampatracker, we're interested in following your exploits. Was the knob broken, or was it the shaft? Please let us know. By the way, you mentioned your radio had been there once before for repairs. What was your experience then?

But getting back to "knob" issues"..... there is a guy floating around the internet that sells replacement knobs for the SDS series in various colors, like iridescent yellow, heavy-duty black, etc. I believe that would be a much better option for anyone just looking to replace a knob. Whether in or out of warranty, there are much better options than a return to Uniden simply for a replacement knob.

 

[JoeBearcat]

But getting back to "knob" issues"..... there is a guy floating around the internet that sells replacement knobs for the SDS series in various colors, like iridescent yellow, heavy-duty black, etc. I believe that would be a much better option for anyone just looking to replace a knob. Whether in or out of warranty, there are much better options than a return to Uniden simply for a replacement knob.

I was JUST about to post that. And yes, I only meant that it is too late to just send a knob if that is what the issue is. I meant nothing beyond that.

 

[522]

Glow-In-The-Dark Volume/Squelch Knob for Uniden SDS100 (Scanner Not Included) | eBay

 

[SteveSimpkin]

Jon sells replacement knobs for $10. Go to his site below, scroll down to the SDS100 Accessories section and choose the SDS100 scroll knob from the drop down list.

PayPal Payments

www.unidenscanners.com

 

[n1chu]

I've also gotten confused sometimes in the way Joe sometimes words his replies. I remember a similar statement he made that required some clarification as to his affiliation with Uniden. I do seem to recall him mentioning several times to the effect that the "Service Department" is not his forte. But as I always say, I don't speak for Joe.

In any event Joe, that was a very nice gesture, offering to send the part out to the guy, if in fact, it had been only the knob. I hope tampatracker replies to advise whether it was just the knob, or if the damage was done to the entire shaft. As you mentioned, sending him a replacement at this point is fruitless.

It's a great idea, in general, for folks having ANY issues with their SDS radios (or any units) to check in here first, before taking any other action. There are many, many guys (much more knowledgeable than me), who can offer solutions and ideas that can be more effective than a return to Uniden for repairs. I sometimes wonder how many radios got packed up and shipped back over the "Nothing To Scan" issue.

And n1chu, I agree that if it requires just popping on a new knob, $90 USD would seem to be excessive. But somehow I getting the impression from tampatracker's brief post, that it may have been more than just a cracked knob.

C'mon tampatracker, we're interested in following your exploits. Was the knob broken, or was it the shaft? Please let us know. By the way, you mentioned your radio had been there once before for repairs. What was your experience then?

But getting back to "knob" issues"..... there is a guy floating around the internet that sells replacement knobs for the SDS series in various colors, like iridescent yellow, heavy-duty black, etc. I believe that would be a much better option for anyone just looking to replace a knob. Whether in or out of warranty, there are much better options than a return to Uniden simply for a replacement knob.

“It's a great idea, in general, for folks having ANY issues with their SDS radios (or any units) to check in here first, before taking any other action.” Agreed! On your other note that caused you to think it’s more than just a cracked knob... I didn’t read anything more into it than what he wrote, which could have been a predisposing thought on my part due to my remembering another inquiry regarding a cracked knob. Not that common but cracked knobs can be salvaged with a bit of super glue in some cases. Wondering if he tried that first...

 

[n1chu]

Upman did mention the repair dept was not his forte and I took Joe’s response to mean the same thing. But it’s good Joe expounded on that point, where he is tracking it. Thanks Joe!

 

[tampatracker]

Is it only the knob or the whole control (including shaft)? Of course, since the unit is already on the way back, I'm not sure there is anything I can do at this point.

Hi Joe it was the whole assembly including the shaft which snapped off inside of the unit. To me it didn't look repairable on my own I was not about to get crazy glue anything in there and then brick the scanner as a result.

I've also gotten confused sometimes in the way Joe sometimes words his replies. I remember a similar statement he made that required some clarification as to his affiliation with Uniden. I do seem to recall him mentioning several times to the effect that the "Service Department" is not his forte. But as I always say, I don't speak for Joe.

In any event Joe, that was a very nice gesture, offering to send the part out to the guy, if in fact, it had been only the knob. I hope tampatracker replies to advise whether it was just the knob, or if the damage was done to the entire shaft. As you mentioned, sending him a replacement at this point is fruitless.

It's a great idea, in general, for folks having ANY issues with their SDS radios (or any units) to check in here first, before taking any other action. There are many, many guys (much more knowledgeable than me), who can offer solutions and ideas that can be more effective than a return to Uniden for repairs. I sometimes wonder how many radios got packed up and shipped back over the "Nothing To Scan" issue.

And n1chu, I agree that if it requires just popping on a new knob, $90 USD would seem to be excessive. But somehow I getting the impression from tampatracker's brief post, that it may have been more than just a cracked knob.

C'mon tampatracker, we're interested in following your exploits. Was the knob broken, or was it the shaft? Please let us know. By the way, you mentioned your radio had been there once before for repairs. What was your experience then?

But getting back to "knob" issues"..... there is a guy floating around the internet that sells replacement knobs for the SDS series in various colors, like iridescent yellow, heavy-duty black, etc. I believe that would be a much better option for anyone just looking to replace a knob. Whether in or out of warranty, there are much better options than a return to Uniden simply for a replacement knob.
Yes it broke off at the shaft deep in the radio. And previous experiences with Uniden repair have been pretty good it's been there about four times now.

 

[tampatracker]

Is it only the knob or the whole control (including shaft)? Of course, since the unit is already on the way back, I'm not sure there is anything I can do at this point.

HI Joe the shaft broke off in the radio so I don't think a replacement knob sent to me would have worked.

C'mon tampatracker, we're interested in following your exploits. Was the knob broken, or was it the shaft? Please let us know. By the way, you mentioned your radio had been there once before for repairs. What was your experience then?

Yes this units been there 4 times now, and they always were fair. Including sending a brand new unit for a replacement.

Not that common but cracked knobs can be salvaged with a bit of super glue in some cases. Wondering if he tried that first...

It would have been a bad idea, get some crazy glue in deep and you've bricked your SDS100.

 

[jonwienke]

Jon sells replacement knobs for $10. Go to his site below, scroll down to the SDS100 Accessories section and choose the SDS100 scroll knob from the drop down list.

PayPal Payments

www.unidenscanners.com

Thanks for the recommendation, but that is the knob only. If the rotary encoder the knob fits to is damaged or broken, a new knob won't help much, and the unit will need to visit Uniden repair.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Hi Joe it was the whole assembly including the shaft which snapped off inside of the unit. To me it didn't look repairable on my own I was not about to get crazy glue anything in there and then brick the scanner as a result.

Agreed and that is not something I could have resolved pre-sending.

I could make the case for user-replacement of a knob; Not for user-replacement of the pot.

 

[MStep]

Yes this units been there 4 times now, and they always were fair. Including sending a brand new unit for a replacement.

Wow tampatracker...... back 4 times ??? Did you just get a "lemon" or are you hazard prone ??? In any event, good luck.

 

[tampatracker]

Wow tampatracker...... back 4 times ??? Did you just get a "lemon" or are you hazard prone ??? In any event, good luck.

No not particularly Hazard prone the first two times were for the good old cold solder joint issue the third was the USB connector head come loose internally and it was not able to communicate with Sentinel, charge, or be externally powered.

 

[tampatracker]

Update on the SDS 100 unit arrived at Uniden two weeks ago but they are having a hard time assigning SRO numbers and have assigned me a case number in the meantime. Uniden customer support told me over the phone that they have done this with numerous customers who have units in for repair at the moment, and to call back in a week.

 

[TailGator911]

Just curious concerning the scroll/volume knob on sds100...what’s the best way to remove the knob from the scanner?