Sierra SW 308 T Stick

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mrbl

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#79526 18-Mar-2011 14:57

Less than two months ago I purchased a 308 T stick to give me mobile broadband at my holiday home. I specifically needed a T stick with an external aerial jack point as the signal strength is abysmal without a rooftop aerial.
I have used the T stick 6 to 10 times since I bought it and the last time I plugged into the jackpoint - the pin broke off rendering the T stick useless. I took it back to Telecom who sent it to their repairers who declared it "physical damage" and therefore not covered under warranty. They wanted the princely sum of $250 to repair it (the cost of a new one is $299.)
My point is the device must have had a manufacturing fault to have failed so quickly but the onus is on me to prove it.
Has anyone else had a similar problem?

jaidevp

331 posts

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Spark NZ

#449630 18-Mar-2011 15:05

The antenna connector on most devices all carrier's not just Telecom's are the same specifications, and can be as delicate. The outcome of damage to the connector is deemed physical damage and not covered under warranty.

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BarTender

3602 posts

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#449990 20-Mar-2011 08:59

mrbl: My point is the device must have had a manufacturing fault to have failed so quickly but the onus is on me to prove it.
Has anyone else had a similar problem?

Yep, I have busted a lot of them in my time. It's not a manufacturing fault since the Sierra cards are always of a very high build quality.

I always recommend people get external AP's or a USB extension cord so you're not physically plugging in the device into and out of your PC/Laptop on a daily basis. Since it's the times you connect/disconnect that these problems always occur.

There is someone selling a 308 on Trademe now for $100. Otherwise if you can pick up the old 885's or a 880 + AP then you would be working fine. I have an old 880 + PCMCIA AP which I would be prepaied to sell to you.