keypad area wear / silk screen psr-800

[jaspence]

Wear around keypad on PRE-800

The one I purchased at the Dayton Hamvention has the same problem. GRE has been very prompt and understanding in listening to my problem, both by email and phone (They called me). They offered to replace the radio, but said all of the present stock suffers the same problem. A new faceplate is going into production and when it is received, I can either send mine in or they will send me the replacement. Since I have built several radio kits and do computer repair, I opted to have the part sent to save shipping time and have use of the radio.

 

[W2GLD]

The one I purchased at the Dayton Hamvention has the same problem. GRE has been very prompt and understanding in listening to my problem, both by email and phone (They called me). They offered to replace the radio, but said all of the present stock suffers the same problem. A new faceplate is going into production and when it is received, I can either send mine in or they will send me the replacement. Since I have built several radio kits and do computer repair, I opted to have the part sent to save shipping time and have use of the radio.

That's good information; I just had an e-mail conversation with someone in the support group. They wanted to issue and RMA; however, it isn't that critical and since they are aware of the issue I think I'll wait and do the same. Stuff happens sometimes in production; however, I suspect this wouldn't have happened if we made stuff here in America...:roll::roll::roll:

Thanks for the information!

 

[W8VI]

PSR-800 faceplate update

That's good information; I just had an e-mail conversation with someone in the support group. They wanted to issue and RMA; however, it isn't that critical and since they are aware of the issue I think I'll wait and do the same. Stuff happens sometimes in production; however, I suspect this wouldn't have happened if we made stuff here in America...:roll::roll::roll:

Thanks for the information!

I am receiving the same information from GRE. My 800 is in service waiting for the quality manager to return next Monday. One option they offered was to return the scanner to me and when a new and improved 800 batch arrives they will send it to me then I can return the defective one. The other option I chose was for the quality manager to take a look at it and replace the faceplate with an older faceplate made prior to this batch. The very nice service rep was not completely sure if this would work so I will know more next week.

I am impressed with the care and understanding GRE has taken with this issue so far.

 

[W1JCW]

Key Pad wear

I'm careful and treat all my gear with care. The wear may be accellerated by long finger nails. I try to use the pad of my fingers and not the nails which I keep trimmed up. I'm around delicate equipment daily and cannot mar it up. So until they come out with a replacement face go easy on it.

 

[W2GLD]

I'm careful and treat all my gear with care. The wear may be accellerated by long finger nails. I try to use the pad of my fingers and not the nails which I keep trimmed up. I'm around delicate equipment daily and cannot mar it up. So until they come out with a replacement face go easy on it.

It has nothing to do with being careful. It is a product defect plain and simply. I am admittedly one of the most "anal-retentive", as my wife calls, about all of our possessions.

I had the scanner for only a few days and the front cover materials began wearing off, and I have only used the front keys of the radio maybe 12 times total.

GRE has admitted that there is a manufacturing issue and are working to correct it as soon as humanly possible. Their customer service so far has been great and it looks like they are going to take care of everyones issues.

Thanks for you comment; but if you had read all of the other posts, you would have realized that it wasn't through abuse or misuse; it was simply a manufacturing issue.

 

[W1JCW]

I did read the other posts and was throwing in a comment and not attributing your issue to what I suggested.

 

[W2GLD]

I did read the other posts and was throwing in a comment and not attributing your issue to what I suggested.

Sorry, I took your posting out of context and I apologize for my snippiness! You know how these forums can be sometimes, everybody wants to Monday morning quarterback everyone and someone always tries to interject a smartass comment from time to time.

Again, I apologize; though I somewhat agree with your comments because we both know that not everyone plays nicely with their equipment...

 

[torontokris]

thanks everybody for the replies, im glad to know i wasnt the only one having the problem

I also take great care of my equipment but noticed it rubbing off with very light use.

on one unit i have rubbed off the rest of the backing and it looks super neat and shinny. ma do it on the others or wait to see what GRE does.

 

[ato930]

psr-800 faceplate wear

same problem after abt.a week-#002866. guess i'll get in line with the rest of you folks.
the rest of the finish is great. how did they miss that ?

 

[KeyWest35]

No problem for me

same problem after abt.a week-#002866. guess i'll get in line with the rest of you folks.
the rest of the finish is great. how did they miss that ?

I just removed the rest of the finish with the help of lighter fluid and now it is shiny and looks nice. I have no problem as everthing else is great with the scanner. Mine works on an Apco 25 system 16 miles away and i am in a deep valley. I could never pick up their analog trunking in the past and am thrilled to be able to receive it now. I also put a screen protecter pad over the plastic dispay to keep from scratching it.

 

[ferensen]

I have the same issue, serial #2590. But the display is okay and mostly I listen anyway.

 

[W8VI]

Gary,

Have you received any word from GRE yet on this issue? I just bought one of these less than 5 days ago, serial# 2042 and the same issue has occurred. I am considering just returning it to HRO where is was purchased until they resolve this issue.

Has anyone else out here dealt with GRE or returned a unit because of this defect?

Thanks,

Sorry for my late answer to your question,

I just received my repaired 800 (# 2043) from GRE and they replaced the faceplate with one they had in stock. This new faceplate appears to have a paint finish that looks more durable. I have not tried to scratch it off but it does not rub off like the original did. The service rep told me that they had a few faceplates in stock that were made from a batch prior to the 20xx batch that has had the issues with the paint rubbing off.

If you ask for a replacement scanner you may receive another one with the same problem. GRE did offer to return my 800 without repair and once the paint issue is resolved they would exchange for one with the correct faceplate. An option is to request a RMA.

When talking with the fine people at GRE they were frustrated with this paint issue and are working on correcting the problem. Due to their recognition of the problem and desire to satisfy this customer I will buy again from GRE.

Having worked with other manufactures that moved manufacturing and assembly to China - variation in quality is a common problem. In the long run it's not always cheaper to switch to China and other developing countries due to varying quality at the source. Just my opinion.

73, Gary

 

[W2GLD]

According to my RMA from GRE; no replacement is available at this time; however the RMA will remain open until the issue is resolved.

I was offered a replacement stock unit (the ones that still have the issue) or given the option to keep the RMA open and wait until the replacements were issued.

To-date, I have not sent in my unit and I am awaiting an update from GRE America as to the status of this repair issue.

My serial number is: 002042.

 

[KeyWest35]

having an issue with a 5 day old psr-800 and the area around the keys wearing.

almost like the black backing where its touched is wearing right off

serial # 002269 ...

anybody else having this problem? or similar?

Yes but i just took off the rest of it gently with a soft cloth and lighter fluid. The lettering stays on. For me it is no big deal . I also put a screen protecter pad over the plastic display to protect it from scratching. I love mine and know i bought the right one for me as it picks up the St Louis P25 system and i am 16 miles away and in a deep valley. I could never receive them before when they were on analog trunking. In about a year our county is going to the same P25 system. I also hooked up a pair of amplified speakers to it and use it mostly for a base. It will blast you out of the room.

 

[rbrtklamp2]

I am also having the problem with the screen wearing off serial #002078. I don't mind it though i think if I rub the rest off it may look great I like that shiny finish underneath. Plus I think this may be one of the best scanners I have ever owned, works unbelievably great on Illinois' StarCom21 State Wide P25 system.

Bob

 

[Marcov]

I had the same issue and the lighter fluid took the flawed finish off with no problem.

 

[torontokris]

anybody have an update on the GRE returns? did they send the unit back with a different cover?

any new models with newer serial numbers have the problem fixed?

 

[gmj]

I purchased a PSR-800 yesterday (S/N 003106) and I'll keep you posted.

 

[gmj]

Yes this unit is starting to show panel wear. I will contact the seller tomorrow and see what they say, though this is a fantastic scanner.

 

[W8VI]

Faceplate update

Sent my PRS-800 (#2043) to GRE and they replaced the faceplate. Once returned the new faceplate looked better than the first one but after 5 days noticed that the paint was warring off just like the first one and like the ones others have shown with pictures. So I decided to use a little lighter fluid and easily removed the remainder of the paint and it looks great. The lettering GRECOM and EZ Scan Digital were not affected because they are underneath the clear plastic coat over the faceplate. The lettering on the buttons was also not affected by the lighter fluid.

I used an old white soft cotton t-shirt to remove the remaining paint on the faceplate and noticed that GRE used a clear coat paint to spray over the faceplate. Once the paint was removed the white t-shirt was clear liquid with no color.

Just my opinion but I believe that the 800 looks good with the paint removed. The color goes from dull to shiny and is reflective. It picks up smudges but no scratches or issues with paint rubbing off. I tend to believe that the 800 was designed to have a shiny black faceplate but someone on the production or marketing team said it was too shiny and decided to clear coat the faceplate to match the rest of the scanner.

The problem with painting over plastic is that the paint can be rubbed off over time if something like your finger is rubbed against it. Can you think of any scanner or consumer electronics device that used paint over plastic successfully? What do you think your current scanner, PSR-500/600 or PRO-106, etc. would look like today if it had a coat of paint covering the pace plate?

GRE is working on this issue but can only replace with a similar scanner or faceplate that has paint over plastic. You can stand in line with your GRE return RMA number but not much can be done until they design a new faceplate or just do like I and others have done by removing the clear coat paint.

Even good companies like GRE can make a mistake every once in a while. It’s how they respond to these issues that matters to the customers.