Re: Beware of LG

I'm going to keep this (relatively) brief because, after all, we're on a printer group.

A few years ago, I bought a Viewsonic graphics monitor. I've done time in electronics repair, so it's not like I don't know anything about build quality. My monitor was not able to withstand the voltage that was normal in my home at the time, and within normal parameters with my electric company: a steady 126 volts. Its high voltage section blew out. When I opened the cabinet to have a look, all the assemblies except the tube flopped loosely, held in position only by the plastic cabinet itself. I was disgusted. (This is probably normal in many brands these days.)

For the replacement, I took a precaution that I often use. Before plunking my money down, I call the manufacturer to see what the situation is regarding availability of repair data. After all, I may want to be able to do a simple repair myself. Also, if I know that the manual can be had for a reasonable price, I know that professional repair people can get it, too.

Mag Innovisions flunked the test. Yeah; they'd sell me a manual for a humungous price. "We don't want guys like you fixing your monitor. You might kill yourself and sue us."

NEC flunked this simple test: they had no manuals at any price for their current monitors. "If it's in the warranty period, just send it to us; we'll replace it." Yeah: 6,000 miles round-trip and some landfill caused by a 20-cent capacitor.

Panasonic flunked the same test regarding a decent quality personal stereo: "We don't have a schematic available because it's not repairable."

Now, I'm using a Princeton LCD monitor that I'm regarding as a throw-away product. It's been working fine. I didn't check for repair data in advance, I'll admit.

Repairable products, sadly, cost more to manufacture than the throw-away garbage that's become so popular, products that are sometimes reviewed: "It outperformed products selling for twice the price." This is a strategy achieved by layered construction (almost impossible to repair without damage) and the use of crappy parts. Sometimes, as my late bench technician once discovered with a certain bottom-feeding Korean brand of cars, microwaves, and TVs, the products are simply dangerous, capable of starting fires and leaking microwaves.

Do we fight 'em or join 'em. I no longer have the answer. I almost cannot think of any brand of consumer electronics that's made to be repairable any more. My aforementioned electronics technician was so impressed with the picture quality at slow speed of my two Toshiba 6-head VCRs (Malaysia) that he bought one for himself (China). Well, I don't know how his made out because he's no longer with us. But my two have, I believe, broken prematurely, probably due to the use of a plastic, instead of steel, transport frame.

Since this is a printer group, I'd appreciate comments about durability, repairability, and available of maintenance data for inkjet printers. Is anyone doing this right?

Thanks.

Richard
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