HVX-200 battery clip repair - $600?

B

bobhope

Well-known member
I own a few hvx-200's, and at least 2 of them have had the battery tabs break off, as they are known to do. The cameras were under warranty, and panasonic fixed them free of charge. Well for whatever reason, one of the cameras tabs didn't break off until recently. It's now about 3 years old. I recently took it in to the panasonic service center on Cahuenga and was given a quote for close to $600 to repair the battery clip, a problem that is a recognized defect with the camera. I was a little bit shocked to say the least. After discussing with them at length, they reduced the cost a bit, but I still feel that this is something that should be fixed free of charge, even though the camera is no longer under warranty.

In fact, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere along time ago that nobody has ever had to pay for fixing the tabs as long as the camera wasn't a gray market, as mine is not.

I'm a loyal panasonic customer, I have 6 of their cameras, and am a bit surprised at this attempt by their authorized service center to squeeze every dollar out of their clients.

Any suggestions?
 
$600 sounds high.

I think the deal is that Panasonic will cover everything in the first year and just parts a year or two after that. I will have to double check to see if it's two or three years on the parts.

So, to give you an idea, if you sent the camera to us, best case scenario $255, worst case $439.89. Give or take. This is obviously without looking at the camera so we would go through it to make sure everything is ok first and provide you with an estimate.

If you would like us to take a look at the camera, please fill out the form at the following link.
http://www.spec-comm.com/serviceRepair.php

Sincerely,

Andrew Hoffman
Vice President
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858 (US)
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
www.twitter.com/speccomm
 
There are multimple repairs required on this camera. I do believe it is all in negotiation at this point. Apparently there were problems with the LCD as well, maybe something else. But they are talking. Obviously the LCD issue is not covered at all.

Thanks,

Jan
 
Jan, you are always on the ball giving us the real "whats up"! Thanks for everything you do!
 
Jan, I would like to to be included in any abatement in the cost to fix this known issue.

At this moment I have an HVX200 in service in the hands of Frank P. (Panasonic Corporation of North America 50 Meadowlands Parkway. 2A-4 Secaucus, NJ 07094) and they are charging me $444+tax to fix the battery tab defect. Yes, the camera is just over three years old and a battery tab recently broke. I was shocked at the cost.
 
Send me a PM with all the details and I will send it on to service. I need your real name, and the serial number of the camera being worked on.

Thanks,

Jan
 
BTW I have exactly the same issue. I'm very gratified to have industry represented in user forums like this. Jan your involvement from the beginning led us to purchase the HVX200 and will ultimately result in our migration to the 900 this year.
 
Why would you migrate to the 900 and not the 2000 or the 270? Same chipset, but P2 workflow. Send me a PM with your details on the camera in question. We will go from there.

Best,

Jan
 
Hi Jan,

I have a HVX200. It's been great until the battery tab defect popped up. I'm wondering if Panasonic can help repair this issue. Thanks, Arturo
 
Well if your serial number is an early serial number there might be room for calling it a defect, like anything before F6, anything after that, it is probably due to something banging against the battery in transport or setting it down battery first. The battery compartment was redesigned after that, not that you can't still break it, because you can, but it is a little more robust than the original design.

Certainly Panasonic would be able to fix it for you in either case.

Best,

Jan
 
Battery Tab Defect

Battery Tab Defect

Jan,

The serial number of my HVX200 starts with E6. Would it be possible to have it repaired? What do you recommend I do next?

Thanks,
Arturo
 
Jan - I have TWO issues... One - the battery holder defect (S# starts with D6) - all are broken. I also have a HVX200 starting with CB, but no battery holder issue. PLEASE LET ME KNOW what to do to get it repaired - and the estimated cost.

SECOND ISSUE - (and it angers me) - I recently traveled to D.C. to do a shoot with the Army and my client. As always, I carried the camera (in a case). I've never been upset to have TSA completely check all of my stuff and gadgets. This time they went WAY CRAZY with both of my cases - HVX200 and D700 Nikon. They spent about 10 minutes without me then came over to me and went through everything again - powering up - looking with flashlights, etc. Well, when I got to DC, I set up for the first shoot and noticed a dirty spot on the LCD. Further checking revealed an actual "ding" in the lens - able to SEE it and FEEL it with lens tissue. I had (2) 32g P2 cards in the camera - and the last shot I did PROIR to travel was clean. First shot after flying had the "ding." I talked with TSA and they (of course) said they don't do anything to harm the equipment. I DID have the PLASTIC LENS COVER on the camera, but did NOT have the UV filter on it. Nutty me. Anyway - I'm going to have to pay to fix this issue. Can you tell me the BEST way to get it done? HOPEFULLY it can be just the actual glass lens replaced and not the entire mechanism. All other functions work. If it's TOO expensive, I'll probably just have to purchase another HVX200 and use this one for parts.

Your help and comments are MUCH appreciated!

Tad Denson
251-454-4875
tad@airwind.com

http://www.airwind.com
http://www.myshotz.com
 
For those not under warranty or not wanting to spend $600 - here's what I have done: First, I have kept an eye on my battery tabs and watched as they developed cracks, catching them before they cracked completely. I mixed up and applied a dab of epoxy (the type with aluminum mixed in, Liquid Weld is one brand) to the tabs, keeping it thin enough so as not to interfere with the battery. This reinforces the tab. Then I took two stick on 1/8" thick felt pieces, 3/4" dia. (as used on furniture feet to protect hardwood floors) and put on on each side of the battery compartment. Now the battery slides in tightly with no play on either side. So far, this repair has held up for over a year with no further cracking of the tabs.
 
mainstreetprod said:
For those not under warranty or not wanting to spend $600 - here's what I have done: First, I have kept an eye on my battery tabs and watched as they developed cracks, catching them before they cracked completely. I mixed up and applied a dab of epoxy (the type with aluminum mixed in, Liquid Weld is one brand) to the tabs, keeping it thin enough so as not to interfere with the battery. This reinforces the tab. Then I took two stick on 1/8" thick felt pieces, 3/4" dia. (as used on furniture feet to protect hardwood floors) and put on on each side of the battery compartment. Now the battery slides in tightly with no play on either side. So far, this repair has held up for over a year with no further cracking of the tabs.
Click to expand...

I've done something similar as mine was cracking and I applied Crazy glue and am the ONLY one to change batteries on my camera to prevent roughing of it. It's been 2 years and it's holding up fine :-)

On a different note, I left my camera unattended on the tripod with the LCD screen open and the wind blew it over and...Ahhh...I don't like to think about it :-( Anyway, the quote I was given by SpecComm was $800 to fix (w/o seeing the camera first). The screen is unrepairable, but will need a new one attached to the thin film attachment.

Best of luck!
 
mainstreetprod said:
For those not under warranty or not wanting to spend $600 - here's what I have done: First, I have kept an eye on my battery tabs and watched as they developed cracks, catching them before they cracked completely. I mixed up and applied a dab of epoxy (the type with aluminum mixed in, Liquid Weld is one brand) to the tabs, keeping it thin enough so as not to interfere with the battery. This reinforces the tab. Then I took two stick on 1/8" thick felt pieces, 3/4" dia. (as used on furniture feet to protect hardwood floors) and put on on each side of the battery compartment. Now the battery slides in tightly with no play on either side. So far, this repair has held up for over a year with no further cracking of the tabs.
Click to expand...


There is a type of glue that plumbers use to glue plastic down pipes together. You can find it in a hardware store. What it does is fuses plastic together like a type of chemical weld. This may give even stronger results.
 
mainstreetprod has it right. I have a G6 with epoxy and felt cushions. $4 Parts and labor.

Yikes, soon we'll be quilting and knitting 'lil mittens for our cameras :)

-Andrew

mainstreetprod said:
... I mixed up and applied a dab of epoxy (the type with aluminum mixed in, Liquid Weld is one brand) to the tabs, keeping it thin enough so as not to interfere with the battery. This reinforces the tab. Then I took two stick on 1/8" thick felt pieces, 3/4" dia. (as used on furniture feet to protect hardwood floors) and put on on each side of the battery compartment. ...
Click to expand...
 
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