Paul (Silk Print Issue)
- Thread starter RCjim
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safetyobc
Member
Should I contact Uniden's Customer Service and get on a list or is posting my serial # and other info in the other thread good enough for now. My print is really coming off now!
I may end up contacting Uniden, on top of TRUNKTRACKER wearing off, the key totally wearing off, along with rev & att - I am noticing the grey color of the front is starting to wear off between the display and keypad (on the ends of the plastic ridge that is there). I sure hope Uniden with stand behind their product and fix it.
whooey
Member
I find it hard to believe that the beta testers did'nt run in to this silkscreen problem. :roll:
The scanner is great, I can live with the silkscreen problem, but for $500+???
The scanner is great, I can live with the silkscreen problem, but for $500+???
In general, it takes about a month between identifying/validating a firmware issue and resolving it with a tested fix. With a mechanical issue, there are the added logistics of getting parts or other material in sufficient quantity and of sufficient quality.
Patience, please.
dwlind
Member
Paul, is it possible to know based on the serial numbers posted on the '396 silk print issues' thread if this problem is isolated to the first production run. I would assume that current production units are being tested at the factory to see if they exhibit this problem.
Your participation on RR and the Yahoo group is very much appreciated.
Doug
Your participation on RR and the Yahoo group is very much appreciated.
Doug
Paul, based on the information you posted a couple weeks ago on another board about what's involved to get the face plate off, and the latest post here, I hope you are not considering fixing the units rather than replacing them. For the folks that didn't see Paul's explanation of why we couldn't replace the face plate our self's maybe Paul will post the procedure here. I for one would like a factory fresh unit, like some others got.
Thanks
RCjim :roll:
Thanks
RCjim :roll:
When I have a meaningful update, I will provide it. I cannot discuss our internal studies or anything beyond what I have already stated.
MarkEagleUSA
Member
The silk print issue hardly makes the 396 "defective". It's a cosmetic issue that doesn't prohibit performance of the scanner in any way.NWTSCL said:
I'm not suggesting that those having the problem should have to live with it, but we all need to give Paul and Uniden time to determine the cause and plan a course of action to remedy it. I'm sure they'll resolve the issue and do the right thing for those users affected by it.
On a side note, I'd like to suggest to Paul that perhaps a fairly easy option to fix this problem might be some sort of die-cut sticker that can be placed over the keypad. It could even be offered as an accessory in the Uniden store so that after a few years of normal wear and tear, the silk print can be fixed.
doug408
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Keep in mind that we're talking about mass-produced units here, not hand-built scanners. I'm sure Uniden is very much aware of the tarnished image this issue is giving them, and that more than a few Uniden folks are highly embarrassed that the issue wasn't identified during earlier testing.
But that doesn't mean that they can snap their fingers and magically get the problem fixed. It wouldn't help anyone if they replaced the first batch of scanners with ones that had the same problem.
They need time to understand how common/severe the problem is, what was wrong with the original design and/or manufacturing process, redesign the parts, get some built, test them to make sure the new batch is better than the old, make sure that any 'bad' parts are purged from the manufacturing lines, develop plans for what, if anything, to do to repair/replace the initial units, whether to put production holds on the product, whether to recall unsold units from distributors, etc. While I don't know about their internal processes, it seems likely to me that this 'simple' issue involves multiple subcontractors around the world, to say nothing of accountants, lawyers, support people, marketing and public relations people, engineering teams, quality teams, and more than a few managers. All that's not going to happen in just a few days.
Sure, it's annoying to have visible defects in an expensive product, but I have to give Uniden a lot of credit for admitting the issue and actively soliciting the input of its early customers to figure out how serious it really is. Give them a chance to do a responsible job of investigating and fixing the problem before assuming they don't care. Paul seems like a pretty straight shooter who cares about producing high quality products. I'm confident that we'll hear more from him as soon as there is information that he's allowed to share.
But that doesn't mean that they can snap their fingers and magically get the problem fixed. It wouldn't help anyone if they replaced the first batch of scanners with ones that had the same problem.
They need time to understand how common/severe the problem is, what was wrong with the original design and/or manufacturing process, redesign the parts, get some built, test them to make sure the new batch is better than the old, make sure that any 'bad' parts are purged from the manufacturing lines, develop plans for what, if anything, to do to repair/replace the initial units, whether to put production holds on the product, whether to recall unsold units from distributors, etc. While I don't know about their internal processes, it seems likely to me that this 'simple' issue involves multiple subcontractors around the world, to say nothing of accountants, lawyers, support people, marketing and public relations people, engineering teams, quality teams, and more than a few managers. All that's not going to happen in just a few days.
Sure, it's annoying to have visible defects in an expensive product, but I have to give Uniden a lot of credit for admitting the issue and actively soliciting the input of its early customers to figure out how serious it really is. Give them a chance to do a responsible job of investigating and fixing the problem before assuming they don't care. Paul seems like a pretty straight shooter who cares about producing high quality products. I'm confident that we'll hear more from him as soon as there is information that he's allowed to share.
What about looking at the "print problem" from another angle?
So far, there's no evidence that there's anything wrong with the print on any of the 396's. Suppose it's just the way different people handle and use them? The print isn't coming off on mine, nor has it come off on any of the scanners that I have owned over the last 30+ years. Was mine printed with a different ink than all the other ones?
I have known people that are rough on various electronic devices, like scanners, calculators, cell phones, etc. I've seen print worn off on items like these. Does that mean they're defective? No, it means some people are more rough on things than other people.
Wash your hands first, handle it like it's a $500 radio and not a brick out of the street, and maybe the print won't come off. Just a thought.
So far, there's no evidence that there's anything wrong with the print on any of the 396's. Suppose it's just the way different people handle and use them? The print isn't coming off on mine, nor has it come off on any of the scanners that I have owned over the last 30+ years. Was mine printed with a different ink than all the other ones?
I have known people that are rough on various electronic devices, like scanners, calculators, cell phones, etc. I've seen print worn off on items like these. Does that mean they're defective? No, it means some people are more rough on things than other people.
Wash your hands first, handle it like it's a $500 radio and not a brick out of the street, and maybe the print won't come off. Just a thought.
doug408 said:
Yes. And they all have serial numbers on them. Great way to track something, don't you think?
All Uniden would need to do is take the serials from the list of reported cases (45 and growing) to figure out which "batch" of face plates were incorrectly producted. Voila! The scope is known in a matter of minutes, if this is as "isolated" as they say it is. Any company in its right mind would keep these kinds of records.
Uniden has had at least 5 returned so they can "inspect" them. This happened weeks ago. Wouldn't this be the perfect time to denouce those claims if there was "nothing wrong"?W4KRR said:
Sure. Do you really think this list of owners (45 at this time, more who haven't reported it here) are all manhandling their scanners? Come on. . .W4KRR said:
Look at the whole picture. All Uniden needs to do is pop some out of their shiny little boxes and rub them furiously. If the ink doesn't rub off, bingo! They have replacements!doug408 said:
Some people are looking at this too simple mindedly. . .or too complex. I can't figure which. . .
MarkEagleUSA
Member
True, the extent of the problem can possibly be ascertained by tracing S/N's, but that does nothing to help identify and rectify the problem. Knowing which units are bad is only the first step. Knowing why they are bad needs to be determined before anything else can be done. Couple this with the fact the the actual manufacturing is likely overseas (possibly even a 3rd party provider), it's not an easy thing to work on.wolter said:
I don't think anyone disagrees that this isn't a legitimate problem. Most of us are just saying they need time to figure it out.
scanbc780
Usually Lurking
:idea: Maybe Uniden has an outside vendor that does the printing. Maybe the inks were changed in the Mfg. process and the ink vendor made a bad batch. Maybe the molding release wasn't washed off properly on certain unit's. Could be hundreds of explanations.
Whatever the out come I think if people wait and see what the outcome is they will be happy in the end.
Uniden needs to do their investigation, let them do it. They are probably trying to figure out the EXACT CAUSE so they can prevent it at a future time. I think Uniden is doing a wonderful job at handling this from my point of view, considering they could just say "Sorry to hear that better luck next time".
Anyhow Just my 2 cents and hope everyone gets a pretty shiny perfect inkjob in the end.
Whatever the out come I think if people wait and see what the outcome is they will be happy in the end.
Uniden needs to do their investigation, let them do it. They are probably trying to figure out the EXACT CAUSE so they can prevent it at a future time. I think Uniden is doing a wonderful job at handling this from my point of view, considering they could just say "Sorry to hear that better luck next time".
Anyhow Just my 2 cents and hope everyone gets a pretty shiny perfect inkjob in the end.
rescue161 said:
I haven't bothered to register my scanner as I didn't see any real reason to. I'm using ARC396 instead of UASD so I didn't need to register to get a software key.
As for Uniden not having an obligation to fix my scanner because I haven't registered, I can't believe that's true. I paid the same money as the rest of you and am entitled to the same rights as a consumer. I have the same silk screen issues as the rest of you and I've got a recepit.
Whether registered or not, the same warranty applies.
Don't get me wrong, the scanner is great and I will wait patiently until Uniden comes out with a fix for the silk screen issue. However you're quite wrong on Uniden not having to honor warranty claims because the scanner hasn't been registered on their website.
I talked with the dealer that sold me my scanner today. I asked if he had heard from any other customers about the Print issue and he said yes several. I asked if he had heard anything from Uniden about his stock of 396t scanners and he said no. So I guess Uniden will just keep selling units with this issue. :?
I have a BC100 a BC Thin Scan a 246t a 250d a 245xlt and none of them show any sign of wear.
Did I mention the Bearcat 210 2 Bearcat300's a 895 a 898t a 780 a 785 a 796 a BCT8 yep no wear. I hope that puts an end to how I handle my scanners.
I even have a Bearcat scanner that plugs into an
8 Track Tape Player
I have been enjoying this hobby for 40 years. :!: :!:
RCjim
I have a BC100 a BC Thin Scan a 246t a 250d a 245xlt and none of them show any sign of wear.
Did I mention the Bearcat 210 2 Bearcat300's a 895 a 898t a 780 a 785 a 796 a BCT8 yep no wear. I hope that puts an end to how I handle my scanners.
I even have a Bearcat scanner that plugs into an
8 Track Tape Player
I have been enjoying this hobby for 40 years. :!: :!:
RCjim
Personally, I like Markeagle's idea.
I would go for a nice overlay sticker to put on it.
A slightly textured black with white or silver letters would be great. It would be easier to see and an instant fix. Maybe they could send a couple so if you messed up the alignment you could do it again.
Actually, I wish it was made that way from the get go after thinking about it. It would be much easier to see than the small black print.
mancow
I would go for a nice overlay sticker to put on it.
A slightly textured black with white or silver letters would be great. It would be easier to see and an instant fix. Maybe they could send a couple so if you messed up the alignment you could do it again.
Actually, I wish it was made that way from the get go after thinking about it. It would be much easier to see than the small black print.
mancow
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