I just want to share my experience with Locosys on getting my GT31 repaired under warranty.
Sent it off to Taiwan via Australia Post (regular) 8 days ago. Got an email the screen has been replaced and is being shipped back to me today.
The account manager Kate Yang has been very professional and has assisted me with any questions that i had.
All in all, a very painless experience.
Stu.

Good to hear!
I have found their customer service to be excellent too.

Not the same in my case.
Alt ought device was always kept in waterproof case and 100% dry all the time company accused me of flooding device.
Device failed on second day after purchase. I sent to manufacturer ( but now I know I should to US shop instead)
They didn't even bother to open it to check if lithium batter explosion of leakage wasn't the culprit for the malfunction.

Since then I purchased second device from our local Windwanderers club ,use in the same waterproof case - and that one works fine. Proof the device was faulty in first place.

So don't you do mistake by sending directly to manufacturer your faulty device !
Send to your shop to claim customer rights to quality product free of manufacturer faults .
On top device cost I lost on shipping and now prospect of so called inspection.

SCAM. I hope that they - LOCOSYS will bankrupt soon and go out of the business. Time for another supplier of reliable devices for windsurfers.

Copy of response
Dear *** ,

For S/N:133300181, we have evaluated the device, it was due to the water got inside, so make the PCB damp and damaged.
Please refer to attachment of RMA picture.

Unfortunately, it can't be fixed because it's damaged too seriously.
Due to the malfunction is caused by the inappropriate usage, therefore we do not guarantee it.
The inspection fee is USD 20, kindly advise if it needs to be sent back or not, then I can send you a invoice for total costs.

However, if you consider to buy a new BGT-31 instead, please let me know and I will give you a special price for best.
We can provide you the device only( not including USB cable, car charger, accessories etc... )
For the only device, I can offer you the special price "100 USD"
The total price(including shipping fee/VAT/paypal process fee)-->135 USD.

Kindly remind you, GT-31/BGT-31 is a waterproofing device, but if it is used in too high speed watersports or SD slot isn't closed closely, it might be caused the water got in.

I'll start the following process after receiving your reply.
Thanks!

Best regards,
Kate Yang
LOCOSYS Technology Inc.
Account Manager
Tel??? +886-2-8698-3698 ext???108
Fax??? +886-2-8698-3699
@-mail???kate@locosystech.com
=============

Sorry to hear that.
I would suggest you contact them again and restate that you had only used the device twice and both times it was in a waterproof pack which has been tested and does not leak.
Perhaps between their imperfect english and yours they missed the point.

Macro, I would also as them to take a photo of the seal around the SD card, to see if its intact. My GT-11 and GT-31 are both good, but I had a Garmin Foretrex 101 where the seal was imperfect, and let in a small amount of salt water. I guess you kept it dry anyway, in a case, so that shouldn't matter.

Any chance of showing the RMA picture so we can all go 'ooh' and 'ahh' and speculate?

I agree with Windxtasy. If you make it clear to them, then maybe they will re-evaluate it?

Just as a matter of interest, I looked at my GT-11 and the GT-31. I have never had them in the open while sailing, because I need them in a pack to carry them anyway.

Anyway, they both have the screws inside the SD section rusted. So moisture must get in there somehow, or when I change the SD card. It would be very little, but it seems to be enough to corrode the screws.


Edit: I'm a dunderhead. The screws are outside the moisture seal, so they would be exposed to a little bit of salt water or vapor. Which probably explains the corrosion.

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FormulaNova said..

Just as a matter of interest, I looked at my GT-11 and the GT-31. I have never had them in the open while sailing, because I need them in a pack to carry them anyway.

Anyway, they both have the screws inside the SD section rusted. So moisture must get in there somehow, or when I change the SD card. It would be very little, but it seems to be enough to corrode the screws.


Edit: I'm a dunderhead. The screws are outside the moisture seal, so they would be exposed to a little bit of salt water or vapor. Which probably explains the corrosion.

I never open device ( to access SD Card or recharge) in any other place that in my room , by my computer desk.
I start , turn on device always in my car, put into waterproof underwater camera case rated 30 meters, or our popular aqua pack.
The same aqua pack I am using for my ordinary and expensive smart phone to record track logs in absence of GT-31. No problem at all.
Then remove GT-31 from the case when back to my car ( easy to check even on my data track logs ).
You could not be much safer then that.
IN our ( Windsurfers ) best interest will be find alternative quality device instead of obsolete already Locosys GT-31.
I will be happy to pay $300 or a bit more for device that is:
-really waterproof
-10Hz to record our alpha correctly (not falsification by 0.7 ktn)

picture illustrate where I do turn my GPS ON, OFF

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Macroscien said..

FormulaNova said..

Just as a matter of interest, I looked at my GT-11 and the GT-31. I have never had them in the open while sailing, because I need them in a pack to carry them anyway.

Anyway, they both have the screws inside the SD section rusted. So moisture must get in there somehow, or when I change the SD card. It would be very little, but it seems to be enough to corrode the screws.


Edit: I'm a dunderhead. The screws are outside the moisture seal, so they would be exposed to a little bit of salt water or vapor. Which probably explains the corrosion.

IN our ( Windsurfers ) best interest will be find alternative quality device instead of obsolete already Locosys GT-31.
I will be happy to pay $300 or a bit more for device that is:
-really waterproof
-10Hz to record our alpha correctly (not falsification by 0.7 ktn)

In all fairness, they really are a good product for what we need. They are reliable and appear to be robust. I think you have just been unlucky with your unit.

My first Garmin Foretrex 101 had a faulty seal, and it ended up corroding the battery terminal. Garmin replaced it with a new unit for $100, but it really was a manufacturing fault. The replacement unit does not have the same faulty seal and has never had a problem. Coincidentally I bought the unit from the US via ebay, because at the time they were something like triple the price here.

The development costs for such a small market would probably not make another device viable. We are only a small market.

Having said that 'Silicon Chip' ran a project with a 10hz GPS chip that is meant to track car movements, and is pretty self contained. It would be half tempting to see if the software could be changed to support what we need... but who's got the time or the energy, when you can buy a GT-31?

end of last summer I dropped mine while stuffing around changing settings after a speed run and it sunk about a foot before I grabbed it this was in lake george which is twice as salty as the sea, hasen't missed a beat since and all I done was left it sitting on the dash to dry. I must be lucky. have made sure I never take it out of the acuapack while on the water since.

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Macroscien said..


I never open device ( to access SD Card or recharge) in any other place that in my room , by my computer desk.
I start , turn on device always in my car, put into waterproof underwater camera case rated 30 meters, or our popular aqua pack.
The same aqua pack I am using for my ordinary and expensive smart phone to record track logs in absence of GT-31. No problem at all.
Then remove GT-31 from the case when back to my car ( easy to check even on my data track logs ).
You could not be much safer then that.


picture illustrate where I do turn my GPS ON, OFF

Tell locosys just that. Send them the tracks recorded by their machine to prove it.
Suggest that the water must have got in prior to purchase (I am assuming you bought it new) because it is not possible it has been wet in your possession, and suggest they replace the unit free of charge.
Don't get aggressive (yet).

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FormulaNova said..

Having said that 'Silicon Chip' ran a project with a 10hz GPS chip that is meant to track car movements, and is pretty self contained. It would be half tempting to see if the software could be changed to support what we need... but who's got the time or the energy, when you can buy a GT-31?

In absence of GT-31 I have been using Smart phone to record our tracks.
For speed is ok but for alpha 500 is completely useless - Smart phone logger give you something like 3 ktn instead of 20 ktn on alpha.

By this comparison out GT-31 is not bad for alpha.

Then I saw comparison with 5 HZ GPS that sky divers use ! for $250
Curvature of our gybe is completely different on high frequency device.



this is what we need at least but in such format



Canadian company specialize in portable GPS. If you could only marry this two concepts : high accuracy and frequency ( 10 Hz with wrist watch waterproof design up to 30 meters that is all we ever need

Flysight looks interesting, but in its current form has too short a battery life.

30mt waterproof isn't enough

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Macroscien said..
Not the same in my case.
Alt ought device was always kept in waterproof case and 100% dry all the time company accused me of flooding device.
Device failed on second day after purchase. I sent to manufacturer ( but now I know I should to US shop instead)
They didn't even bother to open it to check if lithium batter explosion of leakage wasn't the culprit for the malfunction.
Since then I purchased second device from our local Windwanderers club ,use in the same waterproof case - and that one works fine. Proof the device was faulty in first place.
So don't you do mistake by sending directly to manufacturer your faulty device !
Send to your shop to claim customer rights to quality product free of manufacturer faults .
On top device cost I lost on shipping and now prospect of so called inspection.
SCAM. I hope that they - LOCOSYS will bankrupt soon and go out of the business. Time for another supplier of reliable devices for windsurfers.
Copy of responseDear *** ,
For S/N:133300181, we have evaluated the device, it was due to the water got inside, so make the PCB damp and damaged.
Please refer to attachment of RMA picture.
Unfortunately, it can't be fixed because it's damaged too seriously.
Due to the malfunction is caused by the inappropriate usage, therefore we do not guarantee it.
The inspection fee is USD 20, kindly advise if it needs to be sent back or not, then I can send you a invoice for total costs.
However, if you consider to buy a new BGT-31 instead, please let me know and I will give you a special price for best.
We can provide you the device only( not including USB cable, car charger, accessories etc... )
For the only device, I can offer you the special price "100 USD"
The total price(including shipping fee/VAT/paypal process fee)-->135 USD.
Kindly remind you, GT-31/BGT-31 is a waterproofing device, but if it is used in too high speed watersports or SD slot isn't closed closely, it might be caused the water got in.
I'll start the following process after receiving your reply.Thanks!Best regards,
Kate YangLOCOSYS Technology Inc.Account Manager
Tel??? +886-2-8698-3698 data============

Maybe their decision was swayed by your bagging of their product

Refer - BGT-31 old crap or what ??

I'm sure they probably read forum posts regarding their products

In commercial world it will be highly illegal to do such connection.
Anyway my example serve for the warning to others.
Some of you could be happy with service received ( even so it means that there was need to contact manufacturer re faulty product) and I am definitely not happy.
I have no problem if I did really flooded device , even immerse in the water , but I didn't and the second device that I bought for my son still works fine in the same waterproof case. Which means mine was was faulty in first place, flooded in storage or manufacturer plants etc.
The problem that we need to share that one as I am not going to buy another one GT-31.
That will be quite interesting to know statistic how many repairs have been declined.

If not that many on another hand it is quite foolish for company to present such image on our forum.
The only question now who is next...and what criteria company use to award somebody with recognizing warranty or refusing.

The second picture they showed me present device completely eroded and cover with thick layer of salt.
If that how could look my device which was held completely dry all the time ?? And rust appear on stainless steel components within one night not a year in the water ??
Mystery for me but their technician could drawn it to avoid any further claims or the same picture is send to all customers around the world.

Is it really looks like device that was used just two days only ?


BESIDE MY UNIT WAS BGT-31 BUT PRINTING SHOWN CLEARLY GT-31 VERSION !!! ???

Macroscien,

It is improper for you to hijack anther thread when you have one going already that you started to explain your problems.

TAKE YOU CONCERNS AND ACCUSATIONS DIRECTLY TO LOCOSYS!

You are accusing them of deliberately lying to you to avoid a warranty claim. This is very poor form, if not slanderous!!

Ask yourself, how do we know (or Locosys for that matter) that you didn't allow water to get into the GPS?

It is my understanding that the BGT-31 and GT-31 use exactly the same board. They are all printed the same. The difference between the GT-31 and the GT-31 is just the inclusion of the Bluetooth module.

Let it go, take up their very generous offer for a replacement and just go enjoy your sailing. It's on $140 after all! Think about how much you spent on all the other windsurfing gear you use and consider the GPS as a disposable expense for your fun.

Isn't the thread about warranty repairs ?
One good experience and on bad , lets people decide and draw their own conclusion.
I provided evidence that best I could .
People should be able to express their negative experience not only the positive.

Now you look at yourself. Attack because I flooded my device. That you could now say about every windsurfer that had a contact with the water, no chance to defend.

Select to expand quote

Macroscien said..
..... Attack because I flooded my device.

I assume you you didn't mean to say that you did flood your device?

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Macroscien said..
That you could now say about every windsurfer that had a contact with the water, no chance to defend.

Well it is true that it is very difficult to claim that you did not flood your device when the evidence clearly shows that there is corrosion from water damage in it.

But the experience of a large number of GT-31 users over quite a few years has consistently shown a very honest and generous attitude to warranty claims by Locosys. As far as I can tell, you are pretty much alone in making allegations of wrongdoing by Locosys, a company that has been exceedingly supportive of GPS windsurfing and has bent over backwards to accommodate our needs, even though it is not a very lucrative business for them.

So let me ask you this. If you were in the Locosys warranty department and a customer sent you a warranty claim for a GPS that has obvious signs of extensive corrosion, but the customer claims that they have never allowed it to get wet during their windsurfing, what would you do?

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sailquik said..

So let me ask you this. If you were in the Locosys warranty department and a customer sent you a warranty claim for a GPS that has obvious signs of extensive corrosion, but the customer claims that they have never allowed it to get wet during their windsurfing, what would you do?

I understand this clearly and from company point of view allowing to accept frivolous customer behavior could be catastrophic and encourage future more irresponsible usage.
So if I were Locosys employee even sweeping floors there I could ask general technical engineer if instead of fighting off customers will not be cheaper to order molded waterproof case that we could handle to customer free of charge ( on the money saved on troubleshooting claims) or even add to our profit by selling this optional device at the profit.
If you look around you could find waterproof watches that quarantine up to 30 meter dive at $5 a piece and disposable underwater cameras at similar price. So the problem is not so much abstract and un-resolvable.
If any company is really interested in developing electronic sporting equipment their products should be really not only theoretically waterproof.
Looks at digital cameras, mobile phones and even big tablets now . Straight of the shelve already waterproof.

In fact if company could install this $2 2GB card already and seal the box completely without the need to remove card. Design few pins , contacts gold plated the best for salt water resistance, on the case for USB download and recharging using externall small craddle . Then there is no need to open the case anymore . I hope that such will be next generation GPS or even completely contact less - inductive recharging and Bluetooth transfer.

To close this poor topic we could assume them I am this unlucky one and although I did everything to prevent it device get damaged.
My fault is that instead of sending device to US eBay seller that offered full refund- no question asked, follow Paypal warranty , I decided to send it to manufacturer in good faith that it makes life easier for everybody and even since this way is more expensive due to payments for shipping both ways and diagnostics.
statement by eBay seller:
"Refunds by law: In Australia, consumers have a legal right to obtain a refund from a business for goods purchased if the goods are faulty, not fit for purpose or don't match description. More information at returns ."
http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/buy/contextual/return-policy.html

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Macroscien said..

I understand this clearly.....

In fact if company could install this $2 2GB card already and seal the box completely without the need to remove card. Design few pins , contacts gold plated the best for salt water resistance, on the case for USB download and recharging using externall small craddle .....

Hey - what about developing a Bluetooth version that didn't need any pins, any gold plateing or any external small cradles.

They could call it a GT-31 / B, or how about a BGT-31.

yeah - a BGT-31 that is a catchy name. And all it would take would be the current GT-31 PCB with a Bluetooth module attached. No need to even change the PCB.

Macro, do I remember you bought this online from the USA?
Could it be possible that they actually sent you a secondhand unit that already had salt water contamination?
I'm fairly sure new out of the box, they have a plastic protection layer over the display, did you remember if this was in place?

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decrepit said..

Macro, do I remember you bought this online from the USA?
Could it be possible that they actually sent you a secondhand unit that already had salt water contamination?
I'm fairly sure new out of the box, they have a plastic protection layer over the display, did you remember if this was in place?

Hard to say, I don't remember now.
I bought one BGT-31 from US and soon after one GT-31 for my son from Wind Wanderers.

The last one come already setup nicely and ready to go, still have this protective film, sail everyday, works fine no problem at all.

I think even if one day something goes wrong I will not be bothering Wind Wanderes as they are so kind for me. Better loose then make problems to them.

Are they the 2 boxes they came in?
Because they are both GT31s!!!!
Where is the BGT31 box?

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decrepit said..

Are they the 2 boxes they came in?
Because they are both GT31s!!!!
Where is the BGT31 box?

Exactly the same boxes. I believe that GT-31 and BGT-31 come with same boxes (as with same PCB).
But device inside definitely was marked as BGT-31

I think Decrepit may be right. 2 clues here - one is that your unit has salt corrosion although you say you never got it wet. Indicates the damage was done before you got it. Second clue - wrong box.
I think the US company have sold you a damaged BGT31, and in their carelessness placed it in a GT 31 box.
Surely Locosys would not use the same box for the bluetooth vesion without at least a big sticker advertising it's bluetooth capabilities.
Ask Locosys to return the unit to you and then send it to the US company for the refund.
Good luck. Sounds like they are dodgy. Make sure you get a postal receipt.

The BGT definitely has a different box, I'm sure you were had, by the ebay supplier.

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decrepit said..

The BGT definitely has a different box, I'm sure you were had, by the ebay supplier.

So I'd say the problem is not with Locosys, but the supplier...