I have had mine since 04 I believe, and have never had a problem with it at all..I use Duracells only...I also am not very nice to it..I leave it in a hot trunk sometimes, and I plow the ground with it.I am a coil dragger, also have move junk out of the way with it.Have had it in the woods, and dropped it a time or 2....For the price I have NEVER seen a better detector...I sure hope you get your problem fixed...I did invest in the little cover for it tho, and I believe it helps to keep it clean when out in dusty areas.Also have a coil guard......HH, Tom