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Obsolete Sovereigns
- Thread starter UK Brian
- Start date
adam in cal
New member
They dialed up an old sov. XS and the thing came back perfect ......I dont know but as far as my experience goes the will still fix up an older unit......Now it could be possible that if the circut board was smashed to bits or something they may not have the stuff lying around to fix that but for little ticky tack repairs they still will fix up right up .........good luck
Bill the service tech. at minelab said they can replace faulty chips in the older sovereigns, he states that there must of been a mix up of communication some where. He said there older detector Non sovereign they don't have parts for.
Call minelab USA and ask for the service technician Bill for verification 1-702-891-8809.
Wil
Call minelab USA and ask for the service technician Bill for verification 1-702-891-8809.
Wil
Brian,Thanks for the post I won't worry as much about the old XS.
"Say" the post. Should be saw the post.Really must preview before posting.
There are a whole range of machines of different brands that can't be repaired anymore. The manufacturers are willing but can no longer get hold of some early chip types. Earlier technology again doesn't suffer from built in obsolescence as off the shelf components were used.
There are a whole range of machines of different brands that can't be repaired anymore. The manufacturers are willing but can no longer get hold of some early chip types. Earlier technology again doesn't suffer from built in obsolescence as off the shelf components were used.
Brian,
Happy New Year to you and hope all your finds will be good ones...
On the subject of repairing older models, there may be a wee bit of mixed signals (excuse the pun none intended) about the subject.
At times repair centers can receive {older models} that are beyond repair - we class these as "uneconomical to repair" and might suggest it may be cheaper to replace with another unit. There have been a few who make DIY repairs and "modifications" who eventually have to send the unit in to "rectify" the DIY "damage" and sadly at times the damage is just beyond economical salvage.
Bear in mind that a unit can be a second even third or fouth hand purchase and at that stage after X amount of years may not have a "sales history".
A caller recently purchased an older unit from E-bay and got royally stung so Caveat Emptor!
Good Hunting
Des D
Minelab International
Ireland
Happy New Year to you and hope all your finds will be good ones...
On the subject of repairing older models, there may be a wee bit of mixed signals (excuse the pun none intended) about the subject.
At times repair centers can receive {older models} that are beyond repair - we class these as "uneconomical to repair" and might suggest it may be cheaper to replace with another unit. There have been a few who make DIY repairs and "modifications" who eventually have to send the unit in to "rectify" the DIY "damage" and sadly at times the damage is just beyond economical salvage.
Bear in mind that a unit can be a second even third or fouth hand purchase and at that stage after X amount of years may not have a "sales history".
A caller recently purchased an older unit from E-bay and got royally stung so Caveat Emptor!
Good Hunting
Des D
Minelab International
Ireland
I seen this subject come up and was hoping someone at Minelab would respond.
The Sovereigns are a detector many like to do the mods too and easy to do most of the time such as the silent search and the tones to a higher or lower pitch for your preference. Now where the problem comes in is those that don't know which controls to touch and which not too so they mess with something they shouldn't be. This can cause all kinds of problems and burn out some of the circuity or modify it so it don't work as good. Now that some of the circuits are damaged the parts may not be too expensive to replace, but the labor as you say and the time to basically rebuild the detector can run into hours and even days as there is a lot of things happening in these circuits. With this happening the parts maybe only less then $50 while the labor could run into $100s making it not wise to repair.
Before Minelab changed their dealer policy we could only sell locally, but now we can sell anywhere so I would buy up some used Sovereigns and sell them after I checked them out and got a couple of them someone had messed with, so I had to repair them before I sold them again. These were not serious problems, but the tones were maxed out so it was hard to tell the difference in the tones. Neither person had told me about this when I bought them and maybe they didn't know this as they bought them used and didn't like them so I bought them only to see why they didn't like them. Now one of the first questions I ask if I buy any is has there been any mods done to the control box and what if anything had been done to it. I also had one I got from another dealer that was bad also that he didn't know about and had me send the control box to Minelab to be repaired, but they were unable to as it was just too much damaged done by someone who tried to make it better by messing with it inside. The dealer was very good and paid the bill for a different used control box.
When I first read that they no longer make parts for the older Sovereigns my first thought was it wasn't worth it because too much damage because of someone tried to do some mods or been dropped in the water so it wasn't worth fixing. If the repair bill would have been over $100 which is easy to do then the person having the work done would be saying Minelabs are expensive to repair on the Internet.
Some times the repairs are very reasonable and sometimes they are not, but the best way is to have them sent in and see what the good people at Minelab service center can do for you. Also be very carefull buying a uses Sovereign unless you know the guy selling it.
Rick
Rick
The Sovereigns are a detector many like to do the mods too and easy to do most of the time such as the silent search and the tones to a higher or lower pitch for your preference. Now where the problem comes in is those that don't know which controls to touch and which not too so they mess with something they shouldn't be. This can cause all kinds of problems and burn out some of the circuity or modify it so it don't work as good. Now that some of the circuits are damaged the parts may not be too expensive to replace, but the labor as you say and the time to basically rebuild the detector can run into hours and even days as there is a lot of things happening in these circuits. With this happening the parts maybe only less then $50 while the labor could run into $100s making it not wise to repair.
Before Minelab changed their dealer policy we could only sell locally, but now we can sell anywhere so I would buy up some used Sovereigns and sell them after I checked them out and got a couple of them someone had messed with, so I had to repair them before I sold them again. These were not serious problems, but the tones were maxed out so it was hard to tell the difference in the tones. Neither person had told me about this when I bought them and maybe they didn't know this as they bought them used and didn't like them so I bought them only to see why they didn't like them. Now one of the first questions I ask if I buy any is has there been any mods done to the control box and what if anything had been done to it. I also had one I got from another dealer that was bad also that he didn't know about and had me send the control box to Minelab to be repaired, but they were unable to as it was just too much damaged done by someone who tried to make it better by messing with it inside. The dealer was very good and paid the bill for a different used control box.
When I first read that they no longer make parts for the older Sovereigns my first thought was it wasn't worth it because too much damage because of someone tried to do some mods or been dropped in the water so it wasn't worth fixing. If the repair bill would have been over $100 which is easy to do then the person having the work done would be saying Minelabs are expensive to repair on the Internet.
Some times the repairs are very reasonable and sometimes they are not, but the best way is to have them sent in and see what the good people at Minelab service center can do for you. Also be very carefull buying a uses Sovereign unless you know the guy selling it.
Rick
Rick
Maybe, the first thing asked before buying a Sovereign has there any mods been made.I have seen buyer's on the Classifieds commenting to the seller that they were disappointed that mods were made to the unit they purchased. One question I have two stock XS Sovereigns serial numbers 16xxx and 36xxx (the x represent last 3 digits) is the 16 would be an earlier version and the 36 later?
Des,
I was told by Minelab repair in Las Vegas the main chip was bad in my Sovereign XS and it was no longer available. Is it still possible to get the chip for this unit and if so can I just buy it and replace it myself?
I tried the buy the chip and send it to me approach first with Minelab Las Vegas but they insisted I send the unit in. After doing this they said the main processor was bad and replacements were no longer available. I am still a bit confused as to whether I can or can not get this unit repaired.
My unit had a remote pinpoint mod but that had been working for over 6 years without problem. No other mods were made to the unit.
Dan MI
I was told by Minelab repair in Las Vegas the main chip was bad in my Sovereign XS and it was no longer available. Is it still possible to get the chip for this unit and if so can I just buy it and replace it myself?
I tried the buy the chip and send it to me approach first with Minelab Las Vegas but they insisted I send the unit in. After doing this they said the main processor was bad and replacements were no longer available. I am still a bit confused as to whether I can or can not get this unit repaired.
My unit had a remote pinpoint mod but that had been working for over 6 years without problem. No other mods were made to the unit.
Dan MI
Have used every major brand out there and have found that most will treat you right on repairs,but when i had trouble with my Sov Minelab really did not want to know as it was not sold by one of there dealers.. I still use the Sov But will I buy a new Minelab one day?? No way on this EARTH!!
adam in cal
New member
That is too bad, I have never had a problem, but my attitude was different........and as for them being greedy , I dont see Anyone going into business with the idea of losing money , whats the goal ........to make money , so to me you just sound like a bitter person ........just my thoughts ..........
Minelab has a very good reputation of fixing their detectors at a very reasonable price. Now if it was under warranty and bought new by you from a dealer (which is the only way you will buy a new Minelab with a warranty) as second hand from a private party is not covered under warranty, but have heard Minelab has taken care of some of them too, but wouldn't have to as the warranty is for the original purchaser only. On many of the Sovereigns some take them apart and try to adjust them for more depth and may ruin something in the process or even drop them in water and expect Minelab to repair it for free or a slight charge. Some of these take some time to fix and they have to pay their technician, so they have to charge more as it was no fault of Minelab a person messed with it or dropped it in water. Now I see many of the Minelabs out of warranty and Minelab has fixed them for free or a slight charge, but I am sure some take longer to repair and need more parts then they are worth with the ones dropped in the water or taken apart and shorted something out.
I have been very happy with Minelabs and seem lower repair bills than I have seen from Whites or the old Fisher on repairs.
Rick
I have been very happy with Minelabs and seem lower repair bills than I have seen from Whites or the old Fisher on repairs.
Rick
Can't say I've had any problems with Minelab itself. I even had a part replaced for free out of warranty.
Re Dan's problem it will be interesting to hear the outcome. I paid attention to his original post as there had been another similar post last year saying much the same thing but in that case it turned out to be a dealer ploy to reduce the price given on a trade in (this machine is not worth much because you can't get them repaired anymore).
Brian
Re Dan's problem it will be interesting to hear the outcome. I paid attention to his original post as there had been another similar post last year saying much the same thing but in that case it turned out to be a dealer ploy to reduce the price given on a trade in (this machine is not worth much because you can't get them repaired anymore).
Brian
Night Train
New member
Me too, no complaints here. I just purchased a Sov GT because I am so pleased.
Mick in Dubbo
New member
If you ever have problems like that, just get your local TV repair guy to fix it. I talked with a fellow a few years ago did this with his sovereign. It cost him a quarter of what it would have cost if he sent it back to Minelab. After all, TVs and radios work on similar technology.
Mick Evans.
Mick Evans.
adam in cal
New member
There was no personal attack , if you took it personal thats your bag I ain't gonna hold that Pal........as for a hidden agenda its clear that you have a hidden agenda, you come on a Minelab forum and make some lame attempt to bash there service dept. with stuff that is more than likely untrue. I have personally dealt with them as have many others and have nothing but good things to say. IF your story is true then I suspect it had something to do with your shoddy attitude and angry demeanor, I have been in the service game a long time and every so often an A-hole like yourself comes along with a cruddy attitude and I just flat out will not deal with him, and he probably runs around spewing filth about how bad my work sucks and whatever else he can muster up to make himself look like a victim of bad business. Meanwhile I have thousands of happy customers that recommend me and call me whenever they need an item or some more work done. You can't please everyone so the line needs to drawn somewhere and people like you are a great place to start. You have your opinion and you are entitled to that, but I certainly don't need to accept it as a fact, and I in-turn can voice my opinion and if you could read properly you would see that I said '' so to me you just sound like a bitter person'' . The key words are ''to me'', which clearly indicates it is something I felt or interpreted in your post. There was no personal attack. Now maybe something within this post could possibly be construed as a personal attack and it may have been intentional........
