SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 Stopped picking up any signal

[coolderb]

I have still have some scanners I bought in the late 70's and early 80's that are still working fine. The SDS100 is only scanner that is currently not working in the attached photo of my portables collection.

The other scary thought is what happens when the 1 year manufacturer's warranty runs out? We will be charged full price everytime our units stop working. When I called Uniden repair yesterday and reported that my SDS100 had failed again after being repaired in Nov.2018 the first question the support rep. asked was what was the date of the repair. He said "...looks like you're just outside of the 90 day repair warranty window...". I asked him what about the 1 year warranty from the date of purchase. He put me on hold, spoke to a supervisor and responded "..you're right, it is covered." I then asked about receiving a new scanner rather than repeatedly repairing my original. That's when he replied that it would be at the discretion of the repair technician.

 

[FoeHammer]

I agree with you. This new cold solder joint issue that's coming to light, it's like a time-bomb that could go off at any time including after the warranty is up. I remember people talking about it in the beginning but now with more people owning the radio I think we're going to hear more about it.

That goes for the 200 also between the hum which varies from Radio to radio (we will see how the fix works) and the flickering screen and the dimmer than dim keyboard on some units. Both the SDS 100 and 200 are more of a crapshoot than a confident purchase.

Too many variables, too many uncertainties. Too big of a ticket price. My radios are right next to my bed and I use external speakers and I leave them on all night. I've been doing that for many years.

This has got to be hurting potential sales for Uniden. It's got to be. We all need to feel like we can buy with confidence. That would be a very costly undertaking so I guess they have to weigh that cost to the cost of reduced scanner sales. They have to depend on their loyal fans rationalizing the problems away and this new fix and hope that carries the day.

I have been a uniden customer for many many years ,..I love alot of their stuff , Its a new thing , It hasnt really been done before ,.I get that ,..these things can happen ,..but if they would say something like " look we know this is expensive & we want you to be confident so we are gonna extend the warranty , & we are looking at solutions to prevent this from happening " I dont know ,..I mean in Canada here its gonna be around grand to purchase ,..just give me some assurance ,..some confidence , that if the thing is a dud , they are gonna take care of it & no one is gonna get stuck with a thousand dollar paperweight ,

 

[WeBeCinYa]

The average turnaround time for repair is 20 working days. They don't work on weekends.

Your point? Do you spend $800 with updates on anything else in your life and return for a month to repair? Would that be reasonable for a cell phone or perhaps your TV?? Bingo


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[mule1075]

Your point? Do you spend $800 with updates on anything else in your life and return for a month to repair? Would that be reasonable for a cell phone or perhaps your TV?? Bingo


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Sometimes especially with electronics things happen. If you are that worried about the repair process or if a repair will be needed sell the unit and get something else.

 

[tampatracker]

They officially received mine on 2/19/19. Now its just wait and see.

 

[vikingegfd]

Shocked, Fedex just dropped off a exchange SDS100. Too busy now to open but I'll work with the new one tonight.

 

[Ubbe]

I agree with you. This new cold solder joint issue that's coming to light, it's like a time-bomb that could go off at any time including after the warranty is up.

It's usually big components that takes time to heat up, or needs manual soldering, that have cold solder joints when the production line isn't working as it should. Big components that are tricky to solder could be that big J401 connector that connects the logic board and RF board together. Maybe Uniden should have selected to use a foil connection that flex and are not so sensitive (if they are hot glued) to vibration and wide temperature differencies, like those inside a SDS100.

/Ubbe

 

[trentbob]

It's usually big components that takes time to heat up, or needs manual soldering, that have cold solder joints when the production line isn't working as it should. Big components that are tricky to solder could be that big J401 connector that connects the logic board and RF board together. Maybe Uniden should have selected to use a foil connection that flex and are not so sensitive (if they are hot glued) to vibration and wide temperature differencies, like those inside a SDS100.

/Ubbe

Yep... whatever, sounds logical, sounds like something they need to fix right away before too many more potential time bombs get in the hands of unsuspecting consumers.

If people know that they can buy with confidence and not be asked to accept all of these issues as part of the game and that lt is to be expected with a new radio release, which in my opinion is absolute nonsense, then Uniden will sell more scanners. Thanks for your reply Ubbe.

 

[starsty96]

Shocked, Fedex just dropped off a exchange SDS100. Too busy now to open but I'll work with the new one tonight.

Did you send yours in for repair or something? Is that why you're getting a new one without notice or how did that happen?

 

[starsty96]

Scanners are not "checked out" when they are received. A tech does not see the unit or repair notes until it is in front of him to be worked on. That could take a day or several weeks, depending on how many items are currently in the repair queue.

I really am hoping that customer service is top priority when it comes to instances like this. Like others have said, spending a good amount of money on a product and having it fail really sucks. Going without it for weeks or over a month is even worse. I also am hoping that I get some sort of extended warranty from this, because once its out of warranty and this happens again, then what?

 

[WeBeCinYa]

I really am hoping that customer service is top priority when it comes to instances like this. Like others have said, spending a good amount of money on a product and having it fail really sucks. Going without it for weeks or over a month is even worse. I also am hoping that I get some sort of extended warranty from this, because once its out of warranty and this happens again, then what?

Then you pay for repairs. Definitely frustrating but no other alternative unless you dump it.


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[vikingegfd]

Did you send yours in for repair or something? Is that why you're getting a new one without notice or how did that happen?

Sent it back for the second time couple of weeks ago.

 

[wupatki]

Sent it back for the second time couple of weeks ago.

What serial range is yours? My first one that I just got back is 15xx. It would help paint a larger picture here to know what serial ranges have the most issues. I haven't read every single post but it seems like it is limited to the lower serial numbers. My second unit is a 51xx and fingers crossed it never has issues.

A handful of people jump on those of us with problems saying there's only a small number with issues but what about all the people that send them in and never say anything?!?!

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[vikingegfd]

first one sent back was x1xx, replacement is 9xxx.

 

[UnidenSupport]

Your point? Do you spend $800 with updates on anything else in your life and return for a month to repair? Would that be reasonable for a cell phone or perhaps your TV?? Bingo


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For what it's worth, I have sent in a $2000 dollar LG TV under warranty, and my GS9 for warranty repair in the last year. I also sent in a PS4 the year before. All of them took over a month in the repair department, with the GS9 taking almost two months after receiving it before it was shipped. All of these companies are far larger than Uniden.

Of course this does not remove the inconvenience in those instances where someone has to send in a product, this is something I can assure you no one wants.

 

[starsty96]

For what it's worth, I have sent in a $2000 dollar LG TV under warranty, and my GS9 for warranty repair in the last year. I also sent in a PS4 the year before. All of them took over a month in the repair department, with the GS9 taking almost two months after receiving it before it was shipped. All of these companies are far larger than Uniden.

Of course this does not remove the inconvenience in those instances where someone has to send in a product, this is something I can assure you no one wants.

And that’s no fun at all either. It does suck for sues. I’m hoping for a speedy and good outcome. It’s been there a few days now so we will see what I hear....

 

[bravo14]

Is every sds100 need to be repaired?

 

[trentbob]

Is every sds100 need to be repaired?

Certainly not, these problems are all random and could happen to any unit, there's no way to know if you're going to get a radio that never needs to be repaired or if you are going to get a unit that might need to be repaired twice.
Get out your money, walk up to the craps table, purchase your chips and roll those dice.

Do you feel lucky?

This cold solder joint problem doesn't seem to have Rhyme or Reason and could hit at any time, so as time goes on I guess the numbers will increase. I'm just hoping mine stays okay.

 

[starsty96]

Uniden has finally sent me an email this evening saying they have received my product and will be taking a look at my radio. I will try to keep everyone updated and see if they repair or replace.

 

[darkness975]

where do I find the serial number?