Advice Please ... Possibly CGA ... Possibly Component Re-Solder

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harlansmart

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

#319816 5-Jun-2025 14:24

Suggestions sought, please:

We bought 2 x REDLINE EX Radars, both from REPCO they are still available to buy they are still $1600 per radar

One of them, developed an issue, namely the brightness is stuck on zero, because the button failed so you can't just screen brightness

We identified the issue last year, when the unit was just over 2y old.. we easily identified the faulty button... the brightness can't be turned UP via the app... the unit works perfectly, except the screen is on zero brightness

It took over a half a year, to get REPCO to get the radar looked at by the 'technician'

The radar has no damage (other than the failed solder joint) it has never been dropped, abused or misused, babied in fact

They tried to have us pay for 'inspection' we said no thanks and that we think for such expensive units they should last more than a year etc, and pointed that out many many times (unit went to REPCO physically 3 times before they finally agreed to have it looked at) - the unit shows zero marks, zero damage etc, and that the thing works perfect except the brightness button has failed.

Anyway, we just got emailed by REPCO, today, any advice?

-----

Re: Radar detector warranty claim.

Our service technicians have inspected the Redline EX and found it has been damaged, either through misuse/abuse or possibly being dropped. The switch that is soldered to the circuit board has been broken off and was found loose inside the detector. This damaged switch is not a part our service department carry in stock so it can’t be repaired by us.

Unfortunately, this type of damage is not covered under warranty, therefore this warranty claim is rejected.

As we will be returning the detector, where would you like us to send it?

-----

There are no marks on the device, it was in perfect external physical condition, we have images of it on the REPCO counter each time we dropped it to them.

Here's what they found, the button has failed, we knew this, why can't they solder it back on, or replace that tiny piggyback board on the front of the mainboard

The radars still retail for $1600 per unit

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Hmm, what to write...
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#3380740 5-Jun-2025 14:51

Looks like a dry joint rather than damage. if it was soldered correctly and then forced, the solder would have ripped the pad off the board. It also looks like the button can only go back so far and there is spring in the folded bit of metal that contacts the button. so damage is almost impossible

Honestly just give up on Repco let someone competent test the button and solder it back on

Matthew

Goosey

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#3380741 5-Jun-2025 14:57

Not tryna Victim blame you, but radars are light weight, they get knocked around every time you pull them off the mount and place them in the console or glovebox, they also fall off console and glovebox….sometimes off the mount.

agree, the switch shouldn’t have broke.

You should ask repco to ask the agent what the part number is and what the part is and then try find a component level tech to replace it for you.

you don’t see many people rocking window mount radars anymore….

Bung

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#3380743 5-Jun-2025 14:58

Is the switch damaged - terminals broken off or was it possibly dry jointed and just pushed off the solder pads? If the original switch could be resoldered why didn't they do that?

harlansmart

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3380744 5-Jun-2025 15:00

Thanks you guy - 100% exactly... thing is this unit is used by someone who simply just does not abuse, drop, misuse stuff... it never gets moved, the buttons rarely get even used... and we know perfectly well what the exterior case of a dropped or damaged radar looks like

This is a pretty heavy, solid, GPS based model... we have a few of them, and a few of their equally awesome predecessor the 9500ix... they are very very reliable, heavy, quality and dependable

We'd guessed this was a failed button or solder 6mths ago

sleemanj

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#3380746 5-Jun-2025 15:08

That technician spent 20x longer taking the photo, annotating it, and emailing it back, than it would have taken to reach for the soldering iron and put the switch back in place right there and then.

The top right pad looks like it might be a little damaged, but there's enough to get a connection.

---
James Sleeman
I sell lots of stuff for electronic enthusiasts...

mdooher

Hmm, what to write...
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#3380747 5-Jun-2025 15:11

sleemanj:

That technician spent 20x longer taking the photo, annotating it, and emailing it back, than it would have taken to reach for the soldering iron and put the switch back in place right there and then.

The top right pad looks like it might be a little damaged, but there's enough to get a connection.

I suspect the word "technician" may not apply...

Matthew

geocom

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#3380749 5-Jun-2025 15:23

So just based on the photo it looks like one of the pads has been torn off the PCB and it looks like poor contact on 2 of the other pads(this is the solder wicking up to meet the switch) which makes for poor contact point. it looks like one of the pads was never connected however it would have passed QC as both sides of the switch can complete the circuit so the device will still function.

The design of the PCB also sucks. The switches they have used puts all the strain on the copper pads and the fiberglass the only strain relief is what I'm assuming will be 2 plastic tabs sticking out of the bottom of the switch and that's all. Given it looks like it was not flat when it was soldered I would be surprised if the tabs went into the PCB. Its not surprising it broke as the only contact points are the copper and the fiberglass at it's weakest angle(and realistically on only one pad)

It's defiantly a manufactures defect the switch cant have been placed correctly during soldering or moved while it was being done. Disputes tribunal sounds like the best option its a manufactures defect but also it looks like that switch is not fit for purpose. If it was me I would resolder it only because I know how and the disputes tribunal will take time.

Geoff E

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gregmcc

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#3380802 5-Jun-2025 16:12

Failing any disputes tribunal and opting to repair yourself, Repco or the Importer are required to provide access to spare parts/repair facilities, as they have already said the switches are unavailable, already in breach of section 12 of the CGA.

Goosey

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#3380826 5-Jun-2025 17:47

So are you saying it’s left baking in the sun all day everyday?

id be nervous about smash n grabs too.

MadEngineer

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#3380844 5-Jun-2025 19:00

If you don't get anywhere, post it to me if you like and I could re-solder that switch for you.

It's a bit hard to tell, but my thoughts below:

1 almost looks like a clean solder blob that had nothing connected to it
2 hopefully not a ripped pad
3 like others have commented, possible dry joint (if all aren't)?
4 almost looks like a bit of the lead from the switch is still stuck to that. If so, it would have indeed suffered quite the impact or possibly as a result of metal fatigue if for example joint 1 wasn't fixed and was constantly moving back n forward.

I wonder what the clearance is between the button being fully pushed in vs the limit of that switch, if the switch was too far forward there'd be nothing protecting it from normal use

The manual doesn't say anything about protecting it from the sun or extreme heat

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

harlansmart

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3380874 5-Jun-2025 20:42

Done - will fully make it well worth the Mad Engineers time - message sent

MadEngineer:

If you don't get anywhere, post it to me if you like and I could re-solder that switch for you.

It's a bit hard to tell, but my thoughts below:

1 almost looks like a clean solder blob that had nothing connected to it
2 hopefully not a ripped pad
3 like others have commented, possible dry joint (if all aren't)?
4 almost looks like a bit of the lead from the switch is still stuck to that. If so, it would have indeed suffered quite the impact or possibly as a result of metal fatigue if for example joint 1 wasn't fixed and was constantly moving back n forward.

I wonder what the clearance is between the button being fully pushed in vs the limit of that switch, if the switch was too far forward there'd be nothing protecting it from normal use

The manual doesn't say anything about protecting it from the sun or extreme heat

mentalinc

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#3380886 5-Jun-2025 21:11

Have you tried Escort themselves?

https://anz.escortradar.com/pages/find-dealer

Customer Service:
Australia +61 8 9383 7833 - 8:00 to 17:00 AWST
New Zealand +64 7378 4814 - 8:00 to 17:00 NZST

CPU: AMD 5900x | RAM: GSKILL Trident Z Neo RGB F4-3600C16D-32GTZNC-32-GB | MB: Asus X570-E | GFX: EVGA FTW3 Ultra RTX 3080Ti| Monitor: LG 27GL850-B 2560x1440

Quic: https://account.quic.nz/refer/473833 R473833EQKIBX

harlansmart

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3381568 7-Jun-2025 14:24

Yep - sure have, for 7 months now

REPCO is (one of their) in-store re-seller high street dealer points etc

ESCORT Head Office - Service & TECHNICAL CENTRE in Wiri that are the ones who have the technician who agrees with our October 2024 synopsis of 1 faulty button and who is seemingly devoid basic soldering skills

mentalinc:

Have you tried Escort themselves?

https://anz.escortradar.com/pages/find-dealer

Customer Service:
Australia +61 8 9383 7833 - 8:00 to 17:00 AWST
New Zealand +64 7378 4814 - 8:00 to 17:00 NZST

mentalinc

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#3381595 7-Jun-2025 16:52

So why can't you get it repaired via head office if they agree with your view? or get their report to be sent to Repco (or better yet get head office to tell repco to replace/repair the faulty unit)?

CPU: AMD 5900x | RAM: GSKILL Trident Z Neo RGB F4-3600C16D-32GTZNC-32-GB | MB: Asus X570-E | GFX: EVGA FTW3 Ultra RTX 3080Ti| Monitor: LG 27GL850-B 2560x1440

Quic: https://account.quic.nz/refer/473833 R473833EQKIBX

harlansmart

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3381783 8-Jun-2025 17:19

Thats where the seller REPCO sent it for 'inspection'.

See above etc

mentalinc:

Have you tried Escort themselves?

https://anz.escortradar.com/pages/find-dealer

Customer Service:
Australia +61 8 9383 7833 - 8:00 to 17:00 AWST
New Zealand +64 7378 4814 - 8:00 to 17:00 NZST

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