Leon Paul Hit Detector Dead

[chinbeard]

I have Leon Paul's version of this: http://shop.fencing.net/Epee_Buzz_Box_p/fav-93002.htm

I didn't link to the product I have because I guess they've stopped selling it (perhaps because of similar problems?), even though they still have a picture of their foil version here: http://www.leonpaul.com/acatalog/Coaching_Training.html

Anyway, I've had the product for less than 2 years, and I know that I haven't used it anywhere close to the 5,000 hits it's supposed to last. I didn't short it out either: I've always kept it alone in a zip-lock bag.

Is this product junk? If not, how do I go about replacing the battery (I'm assuming it's the cause of the problem)?

[crquack]

Most likely the battery is dead. I do not know the LP version but the Favero takes a small 12V battery.

With the Favero the procedure is simple. Unscrew the cover. Remove the cover. Remove the battery. Insert a fresh one. If the procedure for LP is not obvious perhaps asking them directly might work.

[Tomas N]

I bought 4 of them several years back and they all stopped working within 6 months. I barely used them. They use two watch batteries which are not particularly easy to change. I changed them though and they still didn't work. I suspect that they just aren't that great of a design.

[LeonPaulUSA]

There have been some problems with the batteries going dead prematurely. Please call me at the office tomorrow and I'll get you a return label and replacement.

Bill
404-325-7272

[erik_blank]

That's what I call service!

[Cookeit]

Why do people create these threads to try and get free stuff from LP by publicly making them look bad?

Contact them privately first.

[JayhawkPawn]

Why do people create these threads to try and get free stuff from LP by publicly making them look bad?

Contact them privately first.

Because it works. Have you never been to consumerist.com?

[damianip]

Change the batteries (I think the LP is just a rebranded Favero).

The batteries aren't the most common, but they can be found.

Once you change them, make sure you cover the plugs with some insulator when yu store it. If the box rattles around and shorts and A and B lines, you'll kill the battery prematurely. Covering really extends the battery life.

I'm not crazy about them mounting on the weapon. I have one that took a shot from a flick and the buzzer barely makes a sound now.

If you must have something like this, I prefer the PBT unit. It has a switch on it and can sit in your back pocket rather than on the weapon (socket versus plug).

However, all these little buzz boxes are way overpriced, considering the emergence of all these new low price scoring boxes and what they can't do in comparison to a real box.

They are an expensive way to see if your flick works.

Paolo

[I_luv_saber]

That's what I call service!

A mere 1 hour and 12 minutes response time (in a format where the dealer wasn't even contacted directly!). That's gotta be an F.net record, yeah?

Why do people create these threads to try and get free stuff from LP by publicly making them look bad?

Contact them privately first.

QFT.

[I_luv_saber]

Because it works. Have you never been to consumerist.com?

I'm all for it... but generally I want to at least give the company a chance to stand by their product first.

In this situation, it wound up making LP look good anyway, so...

[JayhawkPawn]

I'm all for it... but generally I want to at least give the company a chance to stand by their product first.

In this situation, it wound up making LP look good anyway, so...

Re-reading the OP, he didn't want something free from LP. He asked for input from other fencers, he described his situation and use, and asked how to replace the battery. I'm not understanding the misplaced ire at the OP.

Of course LPUSA is going to respond fast, I'm pretty sure anytime that Leon Paul, LPUSA, or LP is posted in a thread on F.net, one of the many minions of the pauls receives a electric shock and is forced to respond within 30 minutes or suffer a slow painful death.

[I_luv_saber]

I'm just saying that if I have an issue with a company's product, generally the first thing I do is call the company and see what happens. If they stand by their product and get it fixed, or offer a refund, or whatver they'll do... fantastic. If not, then it's time to move on to other options.

It just seems kinda bad form to me to post up on a public forum first when, obviously, the company will take care of it (and quickly even) if you just let them know what's going on.

EDIT: In the same vein, it reminds me of people here at the hotel at work at who will complain to other people or post a complaint online without even letting the desk know what their problem is at the time. If you don't give the company an opportunity to fix your problem, you're probably going to be dissatisfied.

[Tomas N]

It just seems kinda bad form to me to post up on a public forum first when, obviously, the company will take care of it (and quickly even) if you just let them know what's going on.

I'm not sure why talking about the pros and cons of various fencing products on a forum for fencers is bad form. These test boxes aren't that great. They aren't sold any more by LP. There's probably a reason for that. I wouldn't recommend anyone buy a used one, but if you really want to, I have four of them.

[kapunga]

Why do people create these threads to try and get free stuff from LP by publicly making them look bad?

Contact them privately first.

My gut instinct is to agree with you, but I have to admit, watching how fast they back to people and fix the problem even when they aren't directly contacted about the problem gives me more of a favourable opinion of the company than I would have if the OP had contacted them privately.

[I_luv_saber]

I'm not sure why talking about the pros and cons of various fencing products on a forum for fencers is bad form. These test boxes aren't that great. They aren't sold any more by LP. There's probably a reason for that. I wouldn't recommend anyone buy a used one, but if you really want to, I have four of them.

Umm... the OP doesn't look anything like "discussing the pros and cons of various fencing products" to me. But perhaps we have different ideas of what discussing equipment is and what complaining to an Internet forum rather than the company involved when something goes wrong with the product is...

[Craig]

I would say contact privately first, and the submit a review of the product after a resolution has been reached.

Craig

[JayhawkPawn]

Umm... the OP doesn't look anything like "discussing the pros and cons of various fencing products" to me. But perhaps we have different ideas of what discussing equipment is and what complaining to an Internet forum rather than the company involved when something goes wrong with the product is...

"Is this thing junk? If not how do I fix it?" I understand you fence saber, and it takes a while to process more complex actions , but that was pretty cut and dry 'Help me, I spent cash and don't want to toss this thing'.

[chinbeard]

Re-reading the OP, he didn't want something free from LP. He asked for input from other fencers, he described his situation and use, and asked how to replace the battery. I'm not understanding the misplaced ire at the OP.

Thanks for actually reading the post. I just wanted advice on how to fix it, since there aren't any exposed screws, clips, etc. on the device. Maybe I have low standards, but I didn't expect LP to get involved.

[chinbeard]

I would say contact privately first, and the submit a review of the product after a resolution has been reached.

Craig

I wasn't trashing LP, I was asking how to fix (and complaining about) a unit that fell short of their promises. Bill at LP USA dealt with the problem (me not having a working buzzer), but it's still a fact that either the unit or the battery didn't last even 1,000 hits. In this case, their exceptional customer service made up for the faulty unit.

[I_luv_saber]

"Is this thing junk? If not how do I fix it?" I understand you fence saber, and it takes a while to process more complex actions , but that was pretty cut and dry 'Help me, I spent cash and don't want to toss this thing'.

I understand you're an epee fencer so you're a jerk, but I think you missed the point of my post which was if you have a problem with a product, generally going to the manufacturer of that product first will help you faster. It's not rocket surgery.