SDS100/SDS200: brand new SDS100 backlight issue?

[JoeBearcat]

I was told that all the dealer get from the same distributor.

There are multiple distributors. They generally sell to dealers in the same area. No, I do not have a list of the distributors or their locations.

 

[thegmaniac]

Gotcha. Listen this is not me bashing you. I appreciate your transparency. I have spent a lot of money over the past month shipping these units back because of the display issue. I’m not doing this because I have nothing better to do. I just see a lot of people with this issue and don’t understand why they don’t pull it until it’s fixed. Maybe they just have so many units they need to get rid of. I dunno. It’s a shame though.

 

[thegmaniac]

From the same dealer?

Let me ask you as this just hit me.

the units for the most part work fine for a day or so before the screen does the dimming.

could it be caused by unlatching the battery every 6 hours to change batteries that’s knocking something loose on the display that is already misaligned? I’m just throwing this out there.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Let me ask you as this just hit me.

the units for the most part work fine for a day or so before the screen does the dimming.

could it be caused by unlatching the battery every 6 hours to change batteries that’s knocking something loose on the display that is already misaligned? I’m just throwing this out there.

That is possible. I will pass that info on to the engineers.

So you are saying all the units you had did not initially have the issue, but developed it after a day or two?

 

[thegmaniac]

Not all but most my friend. It just smacked me thinking that the clip can be hard to get off so maybe it misaligns the screen even more.

 

[thegmaniac]

@Joe

That is possible. I will pass that info on to the engineers.

So you are saying all the units you had did not initially have the issue, but developed it after a day or two?

just got my 6th radio and the display is the worst! Showed my 78 y/o mom and asked her she said yep brighter on bottom.

I’m done bro. I have spent so much on shipping it’s not even fair.

 

[4436time]

Why not order another one and use it as-is, and get the enjoyment out of it?

Since you obviously like it, while not completely, you should be able to get used to it, and depending on what time of day or night you intend to use it, it may not be that noticeable anyway.

I'm extremely picky and wouldn't necessarily like it either, but if I wanted one as bad as you seem to, I'd figure out a way live with it.

 

[thegmaniac]

Why not order another one and use it as-is, and get the enjoyment out of it?

Since you obviously like it, while not completely, you should be able to get used to it, and depending on what time of day or night you intend to use it, it may not be that noticeable anyway.

I'm extremely picky and wouldn't like it either, but if I wanted one as bad as you seem to, I'd figure out a way live with it.

I wish I had your attitude. It’s principle my friend.

 

[cfsimmont]

I wish I had your attitude. It’s principle my friend.

Do you use the scanner mobile (as a portable) or while sitting at your desk ? If you are using it as a portable I know personally while using mine it can be a real PITA to see the screen at all due to the colors, I tend to use the B/W mode to make it more readable with sunlight glare. If using it home on the desk near your computer, the remote display on Proscan is very nice and larger.

 

[Syncopations]

I have the same issue. Bottom part of the display is brighter than the rest. It is possible to fix ourselves, or is there something that the Mothership has to do?

 

[JoeBearcat]

It's an alignment issue. Some more experienced users may be able to adjust it.

As for the clip being hard to open, it sounds like you are not pressing in on the battery cover to relieve some of the pressure. Unless you start doing that your next complaint will be about a broken battery cover clip. I made the same mistake too. Since I learned how to properly open it, I have not had any more broken clips. Another tip: don't press on the middle of the clip when closing it - press on the end where it closes. And again, press in on the battery cover to relieve some of the strain.

 

[TxScanner]

Just bought one on eBay used, and it's exactly like this, I have it at 100% brightness, wish the bottom of it is, but the rest of it is very dim. Which may not be a big problem for people with great eyes, but my eyes suck

 

[tvengr]

I know personally while using mine it can be a real PITA to see the screen at all due to the colors, I tend to use the B/W mode to make it more readable

I believe in keeping the display simple and easy to read. Try these settings. Save the attached zipped file to your computer and extract. Go to the File tab in Sentinel, click on Import Display Customizing Settings, and open the extracted file.

 

[TxScanner]

I believe in keeping the display simple and easy to read. Try these settings. Save the attached zipped file to your computer and extract. Go to the File tab in Sentinel, click on Import Display Customizing Settings, and open the extracted file.

Have a picture of what it looks like?

 

[wthclt]

I had this same issue with mine. I opened it up and removed faceplate, then pressed down on the lower part of the screen bezel and it realigned the light. Now reassembled the bright spot is gone and it is even light from top to bottom. This is what worked for me.

 

[MStep]

Sadly, one can seldomly get a "perfectly" constructed piece of electronics equipment. At least not in mass production. There will often be variations from piece to piece. As long as they fall within spec (or close to it), they get passed on to the consumer. There are always compromises. I was in the electronics business for 20+ years. Most of my work was in personal, face to face sales, and not mail order. I always avoided the customers that I knew were so picayune (or in Brooklyn-ese, picky-i-oon) that the slightest perceived imperfection would drive them nuts. And then they would try to drive me nuts. I gladly refunded their money and told them they would have to look elsewhere.

I'm living with radios with displays that vary from top to bottom, from side-to-side, with keys that are not quite centered, with knobs that don't exactly line up--- you guys all know the drill. Major defects, the stuff goes back. Minor variations from piece to piece--- we each have to decide what we can live with and what we cannot.

To the guy that's on his 6th radio, I appreciate your frustration, but maybe you have to rethink this hobby. You're fighting "Murphy's Law". Even if the unit is perfect when you get it, within a week or two, you will start "noticing things". These radios should bring enjoyment and pleasure, but if you are seeking perfection, you might have to wait for the life here-after.

Just one man's opinion.

 

[n1chu]

Sadly, one can seldomly get a "perfectly" constructed piece of electronics equipment. At least not in mass production. There will often be variations from piece to piece. As long as they fall within spec (or close to it), they get passed on to the consumer. There are always compromises. I was in the electronics business for 20+ years. Most of my work was in personal, face to face sales, and not mail order. I always avoided the customers that I knew were so picayune (or in Brooklyn-ese, picky-i-oon) that the slightest perceived imperfection would drive them nuts. And then they would try to drive me nuts. I gladly refunded their money and told them they would have to look elsewhere.

I'm living with radios with displays that vary from top to bottom, from side-to-side, with keys that are not quite centered, with knobs that don't exactly line up--- you guys all know the drill. Major defects, the stuff goes back. Minor variations from piece to piece--- we each have to decide what we can live with and what we cannot.

To the guy that's on his 6th radio, I appreciate your frustration, but maybe you have to rethink this hobby. You're fighting "Murphy's Law". Even if the unit is perfect when you get it, within a week or two, you will start "noticing things". These radios should bring enjoyment and pleasure, but if you are seeking perfection, you might have to wait for the life here-after.

Just one man's opinion.

Well said. Those critical of every little thing should learn there is a point of no return when doing critical reviews of their possessions. The same applies to other items… I read a review of the John Deere lawn tractors, in general, one offered a review as “They don’t build them like they used to, they’ve cheapened them up but still expect top dollar for them.” I don’t hold the same opinion but there’s always that bottom line… how to shave production costs without loosing quality. Sometimes they hedge their bets by using cheaper components, factoring in any additional costs at the back end, absorbing the costs of replacing warranty covered components. It’s a business decision. Chrysler’s K cars were another example. The battery warranty was only good for one year, pro-rated. My battery lasted one year to the day. I thought I’d be seeing a pro-rate price when I asked the dealer to replace it and learned nope! Gotta read the warranty papers a bit closer.

 

[buddrousa]

And for those that suffer Doctors can prescribe Medications that help with that problem.
The one question that I have for those people is. Are you as Perfect as the Equipment you WINE ABOUT?
You may have one foot bigger than the other or one eye different than the other or a freckle crooked teeth but the point is you mother loved you and kept you she did not send you back for a new one.