Similar thoughts on a recent past job, in part using someone else's [crap]... I'm too poor to buy cheap gear, and with the money I save not buying everything twice, I can regularly hire an assistant with whom I can have lunch because I'm not wasting time futzing trying to get some mis-engineered hooptylight to work the way it should
Caution with Aputure 600d and F10 Fresnel
- Thread starter Run&Gun
- Start date
Similar thoughts on a recent past job, in part using someone else's [crap]... I'm too poor to buy cheap gear, and with the money I save not buying everything twice, I can regularly hire an assistant with whom I can have lunch because I'm not wasting time futzing trying to get some mis-engineered hooptylight to work the way it should
The review of this 1000X Pro from Gaffer & Gear https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_Bnwzy4thU The yoke is great design,
Run&Gun
Veteran
Update: Just heard back from Barbizon today that my fixture has been repaired. The parts were covered under warranty, so I just have tot pay for the labor.
This has been the year of repairs, for sure. I've never had this many pieces of gear that had to be sent in for service/repair in a single calendar year. Plus I still have to drop one of my HMI's off for repair, because the ballast went out a few weeks ago and some of my Astera's need their built-in batteries replaced, too. And we still have two months left in the year...
This has been the year of repairs, for sure. I've never had this many pieces of gear that had to be sent in for service/repair in a single calendar year. Plus I still have to drop one of my HMI's off for repair, because the ballast went out a few weeks ago and some of my Astera's need their built-in batteries replaced, too. And we still have two months left in the year...
rob norton
Veteran
That's great news, it's fixed so now it can happen again whenever you're ready.
What happened to the Asteras?
What happened to the Asteras?
Run&Gun
Veteran
Lol. I should have told them it may be a good idea to keep a few of those parts in-stock.
The batteries are starting to go on a few of my AX-3's. I was using them and my AX-5's on a live show last week(9 hrs on air) and I set the run time for 12 hours so we would have plenty of pad and I had a few that didn't even make it half way. Luckily, I wasn't using all of the 3's, so I was able to swap them out with fresh ones. Sadly, as much as I love Astera's products, they only warranty the batteries for three months. But I'm way past that anyway. Mine are three years old.
rob norton
Veteran
The Ax3's battery lifetime specs say "70% after 300 cycles". Do you think this is what you're experiencing? Can Astera swap out batteries or do you have to buy the whole thing again?
Run&Gun
Veteran
I doubt I’ve put 300 cycles on them, but you know how it goes with batteries…
Yes, they can be replaced. My dealer checked with the distributor and the price of the batteries isn’t too bad, but the distributor charges way too much, in my opinion, to replace them, and don’t give any type of discount if you send multiple units in at the same time for the swap. I also asked about doing it myself, but the distributor refuses to provide any type of assistance or technical literature to guide me. On a side note this particular distributor has also been a royal PITA to work with over a problem I had with a Titan Tube under warranty.
Yes, they can be replaced. My dealer checked with the distributor and the price of the batteries isn’t too bad, but the distributor charges way too much, in my opinion, to replace them, and don’t give any type of discount if you send multiple units in at the same time for the swap. I also asked about doing it myself, but the distributor refuses to provide any type of assistance or technical literature to guide me. On a side note this particular distributor has also been a royal PITA to work with over a problem I had with a Titan Tube under warranty.
rob norton
Veteran
It's frustrating when stuff like that happens. A handful of times I've contacted manufacturers directly and they usually help pretty quickly. You buy a lot more stuff than me though so it's probably a little more complex!
paulears
Veteran
Side point. Are US warranties not free to the user? Labour cost here in the UK is the manufacturers cost, not the consumer. We did dally with one year parts and 3 years labour on one product I remember and it was allowed because the cover at the time required was one year parts and labour, so the extra was a sort of free gift. How does it work in the US?
Run&Gun
Veteran
Warranties vary greatly. There is nothing set by the govn’t. In the case of the Astera’s, I believe their fixtures are covered for a year, but the internal battery for only 90 days. But I’m way passed both on the AX3’s. With the Aperture, I’ve had it since it came out. So it probably was fully covered for parts and labor for the first year and then parts only for a time period after, which isn’t uncommon with some items that have factory warranties longer than a year.
Then you have extended warranties that some manufacturers offer for registering your product with them directly after purchase. And some manufacturers also sell extended warranties and service contracts. For example, I just bought a used Arri Amira this spring. I sent it into Arri and had it “re-certified”. They basically go over the camera, re-calibrate the sensor and make sure that the camera is completely within specs again and then you can purchase a service contract for a year that is essentially a de facto warranty on the camera, again. I’ve heard of guys doing this annually to cover their butts in-case something like an audio board went out or sensor went bad.
There are also third parties that sell extended warranties, but I’ve never messed with anything that wasn’t directly offered from the manufacturer. I’m one of those guys that always gets Apple Care+ on their phone and laptop, too.
Then you have extended warranties that some manufacturers offer for registering your product with them directly after purchase. And some manufacturers also sell extended warranties and service contracts. For example, I just bought a used Arri Amira this spring. I sent it into Arri and had it “re-certified”. They basically go over the camera, re-calibrate the sensor and make sure that the camera is completely within specs again and then you can purchase a service contract for a year that is essentially a de facto warranty on the camera, again. I’ve heard of guys doing this annually to cover their butts in-case something like an audio board went out or sensor went bad.
There are also third parties that sell extended warranties, but I’ve never messed with anything that wasn’t directly offered from the manufacturer. I’m one of those guys that always gets Apple Care+ on their phone and laptop, too.
Mitch Gross
Veteran
There are some government mandates on limited warranties but this is generally for a short period, 30 days. Some warranties specify parts & labor, some do not. And not all service is under warranty. You have to look for what is covered.