Unhappy Teknetics (Fisher) customer

[screwynewy]

I was extremely disappointed to find out from Teknetics (Fisher) customer service that they do not cover broken mounting "ears" on there coils whether the detector is still under warranty or not. I bought my T2 SE new 13 months ago and have used it several times a week. I have never abused it or mishandled it but this weekend I was 1 hour into my hunt when the coil became wobbly and crooked on the shaft. I thought that the coil nut had come off but one of the mounting tabs was broken. Seems like I have seen where Minelab and Garrett owners have had this happen and they replaced them free of charge. I am not very pleased over the fact that I have to lay out $180 for a new coil.

Update:

After closer inspection I believe that I figured out why the mounting tabs broke. The end of the lower rod where the bolt goes through is not a solid flat surface for the coil to mate with. Instead it has a raised outer perimeter and hollowed out center area. From what I can tell the repeated pivoting of the coil on the lower rod has worn the mounting tabs thin which has weakened them. As you can see they both broke at this worn point. This is a design flaw in my opinion.

There should be some plastic or rubber washers that fill this recessed area so its flush with the point of contact with the coil tabs. This would give more surface area and cause less wear in a concentrated area.

 

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[Jim of PA]

I don't know why Fisher would not replace it Did you talk to Felix

 

[vpnavy]

What did Teknetics (Fisher) say screwynewy? If you haven't called them - a lot of vendors (i.e., Garrett, etc.) will work with you and many do so without a charge.

 

[screwynewy]

I talked to him yesterday and he said that broken coil mounting tabs are not covered by warranty I sent him an email this morning with these pictures in hopes that he will agree that this was not due to user abuse or neglect. I hope he will agree but I have little hope based on his attitude yesterday.

I don't know why Fisher would not replace it Did you talk to Felix

 

[vpnavy]

I talked to him yesterday and he said that broken coil mounting tabs are not covered by warranty...

You should send him a link to this thread.

 

[NJcigarman]

I don't understand what some of these companies are thinking. When you give great customer service, you have a customer for life. With today's MD competition why send someone away mad. In this hobby it doesn't take long for word to get around bad or good. And when the word is bad three customers who were going to buy your product choose your competition.

 

[Jim of PA]

If you have a Facebook account look for Their page and post it on there

 

[screwynewy]

Well it appears that persistance has paid off and Fisher is going to replace my coil under warranty but they did state that this was a one time only arrangement. I will be sure to use some washers to fill the open space where the lower rod and coil connect so this doesn't happen again. I am surprised that more people have not had this same problem. I'm just happy that I won't have to shell out $180 for a new coil.

 

[Jim of PA]

Well it appears that persistance has paid off and Fisher is going to replace my coil under warranty but they did state that this was a one time only arrangement. I will be sure to use some washers to fill the open space where the lower rod and coil connect so this doesn't happen again. I am surprised that more people have not had this same problem. I'm just happy that I won't have to shell out $180 for a new coil.

Good Deal. I had a new Minelab and it broke the same place as yours and it was only 2wks old.

 

[TNGUNS]

It should have had the rubber washers between the end of the shaft and the coil. Easy to understand how it broke if they weren't in place. Surprised the coil would not wobble up and down it didn't have them to start with. I think they are pressed or glued into the pockets on the shaft when you get them but don't remember. I sent my G2 in for a bad switch last year and they put an updated coil plug (female in the unit) and headphone plug on mine and were timely on the return. Glad to hear they did the right thing for you.

 

[screwynewy]

It should have had the rubber washers between the end of the shaft and the coil. Easy to understand how it broke if they weren't in place. Surprised the coil would not wobble up and down it didn't have them to start with. I think they are pressed or glued into the pockets on the shaft when you get them but don't remember. I sent my G2 in for a bad switch last year and they put an updated coil plug (female in the unit) and headphone plug on mine and were timely on the return. Glad to hear they did the right thing for you.

Actually there was an instructional insert in the box that clearly stated not to use any washers with the standard coil. The small coil came with a single rubber washer but that is because the space is wider where the lower rod attaches.

 

[luvsdux]

Every detector I've used had rubber washers between the coil ears and the rod. Tesoros, Whites and Garretts
luvsdux

 

[glen243]

Screwynewy. I had the same type of problem with my Teknetics Machine, it didn't come with washers and i was told that they don't supply them, mine wore the shaft and and coil ears So i machined some out of neoprene, problem gone..

 

[Stan Milgram]

I just had the same issue. Both ears cracked. I bought a new coil because the detector was beyond warranty anyway. Now it's time to find some washers that fit.

 

[fmerg]

i have an explorer that the same thing happened
after trying a few different Glue repairs all of which fail sooner or later
i designed an attachment that replaces the ears without glue or metal (pc 7 has metal in it)
the design can be modified for different types and size coils and will last for years

 

[kyskinner]

Actually there was an instructional insert in the box that clearly stated not to use any washers with the standard coil. The small coil came with a single rubber washer but that is because the space is wider where the lower rod attaches.

that what my say to

 

[stefen]

You'd think that service would increase when a product has known design flaws.

The customer complaints actually bring forth flaws than can be remedied.

When customer complaints of inferior workmanship or poor manufacturering are not made good, the word of mouth only multiplies the number of units not being sold.

Not only does the customer suffer, so does the manufacturer by lacking service.

In this case, the squeaky wheel got greased...what about the next person?

 

[GeoW]

Forewarned is forearmed. Thanks!

 

[fmerg]

this is not just a problem with teknetics it happens to every brand of detector

You'd think that service would increase when a product has known design flaws.

The customer complaints actually bring forth flaws than can be remedied.

When customer complaints of inferior workmanship or poor manufacturering are not made good, the word of mouth only multiplies the number of units not being sold.

Not only does the customer suffer, so does the manufacturer by lacking service.

In this case, the squeaky wheel got greased...what about the next person?

 

[slufbeer]

teknetics omega 8000

I was extremely disappointed to find out from Teknetics (Fisher) customer service that they do not cover broken mounting "ears" on there coils whether the detector is still under warranty or not. I bought my T2 SE new 13 months ago and have used it several times a week. I have never abused it or mishandled it but this weekend I was 1 hour into my hunt when the coil became wobbly and crooked on the shaft. I thought that the coil nut had come off but one of the mounting tabs was broken. Seems like I have seen where Minelab and Garrett owners have had this happen and they replaced them free of charge. I am not very pleased over the fact that I have to lay out $180 for a new coil.

Update:

After closer inspection I believe that I figured out why the mounting tabs broke. The end of the lower rod where the bolt goes through is not a solid flat surface for the coil to mate with. Instead it has a raised outer perimeter and hollowed out center area. From what I can tell the repeated pivoting of the coil on the lower rod has worn the mounting tabs thin which has weakened them. As you can see they both broke at this worn point. This is a design flaw in my opinion.

There should be some plastic or rubber washers that fill this recessed area so its flush with the point of contact with the coil tabs. This would give more surface area and cause less wear in a concentrated area.

i had the same problem with my rather new teknetics omega 8000 .Very very weak support bracket for coil. I prefer german quality .This is surely a designfailure .