How much $ would you spend to repair a Minelab Explorer XS ?

[pcolaboy]

Sorry for the long title !

My Explorer XS has been at the factory for nearly two months and they are supposed to be giving me an estimate for repair sometime this week.

Question is, how much would you be willing to spend on repair of an older, but excellent metal detector such as mine?

Thanks,

Pcola

 

[pcolaboy]

UPDATE: I just got a call from Bill at Minelab at it's going to be $315 since all three boards will have to be replaced with 100% brand new and much more up-to-date boards.

On one hand, it's hard to justify spending that much on an older detector.

On the other hand, it would cost me $500+ to find another used Explorer XS.

GOD this is going to be a tough decision!!! Please help me rationalize this !!!!!!

Pcola

 

[warsawdaddy]

You know what you are getting back from the factory.You don't know what you would be getting in a used unit.Plus the new cards/update would be warranted for a period where another used unit would not be.Simple choice.

 

[jeff of pa]

I was going to say $300

So if you like the machine, I'd say do it.

 

[pcolaboy]

Thanks for the information. It's going to hurt but I agree it would hurt worse going with a brand new detector or one that I have no history on.

Called Bill back at the factory and he said it should be completed by this afternoon!!!! I'm SO stoked!!!!

Pcola

 

[pcolaboy]

UPDATE: I received my detector back from Minelab last Friday morning. Upon opening the box, I was quite surprised to find not only my repaired unit, but also a brand new set of Koss 30 headphones. I called Bill in the repair dept. at Minelab and he said that they threw them in due to the expense of my repair but also as a token of good faith due to the length of time it took. (nearly 2 months).

That was absolutely top notch! Later on, I also noticed they put on a brand new foam handle grip as well - free of charge. It's the little things like that, that impresses me almost as much as the product itself. THANKS MINELAB!

Pcola

 

[Shortstack]

UPDATE: I just got a call from Bill at Minelab at it's going to be $315 since all three boards will have to be replaced with 100% brand new and much more up-to-date boards.
On one hand, it's hard to justify spending that much on an older detector.

On the other hand, it would cost me $500+ to find another used Explorer XS.

GOD this is going to be a tough decision!!! Please help me rationalize this !!!!!!

Pcola

And why wouldn't this be a new machine? I mean, if the only "old" stuff left on / in the detector are some switches and the coil. you'll be getting a new machine for $315. I'm wondering why Minelab would charge you for repairing a bad machine. It must have been bad if all 3 boards needed changing.

 

[Mirage]

I was going to say go ahead with the repair.

I'm not as happy about minelab's service as you are. I got my machine back about a week or two ago. I sent it in and waited for two weeks - no email notification, no phone call - that is not good business practice. So I call and they tell me it will be another 4-6 weeks minimum. Yeah they fixed it. I paid $200 but didn't get any freebies.

To me a very long repair time with lack of communication gives them a "D" for score.

White's is a different story. I have sent my DFX in twice for repairs. Both times I had good communication, the cost was inexpensive, and the machine was fixed within a week.

 

[BudP]

I agree with Shortstack. You now have a brand new XS. Be thankful.

I have an XS, an SE Pro and an XT17000. All are working great but if I toast one you can bet it will be repaired. You might think about going to the Kellyco site and buying either the new Explorer11" Pro coil or the 10x12 SEF coil. Both are compatible with the XS and give far better separation and depth than stock 10". Type in "SEF search coil" and go to the site in England for test results from British magazines. It will knock your socks off.

By the way, I have lived 40 miles from White's Sweethome factory for 35 years. I do not own a White's machine....used to, before I learned better. I have followed more than a few, top-of-the-line-White's users, digging coins they could not hear. I love my Explorers....yuk yuk.

Bud