A few comments about repairs & warranties. My experience is over 40 yrs repairing consumer electronics
at the dealer level, mega warranty stations & a stretch of hard time at Sony factory service.
Minelab at the end of EQ production will build out enough control heads to warranty the last ones & cover
out of warranty service. They may also keep enough "special" parts to make a last run of heads. For that
time they will probably be able to actually build new EQ's. So not to worry.......
Replacing complete heads is the ONLY thing that makes sense. In the end it is the fastest, cheapest,
& most effective way to service it. Otherwise you would need factory trained techs, large inventory of
small parts, ability to do surface mount service. ( I cant due to eyesight & the shakes). And you are never
sure its fixed unless its an obvious problem. How many times have you heard repair stories where a unit
went in 3 times & never got fixed right ? ( if ever)
One last thought. How often do you buy a new car ? Will your new washing machine last for 30 yrs like
the old one ? Hows about that can opener. Did it last 50 yrs ? Not likely, probably more like 5 months.
So if you get 8 yrs out of your EQ800 thats a C-note a year. Compare that with any other major hobby
or pasttime.
enuf fer now
HH Tom
LFOD !