Problem with Cobra MR55 EU DSC vhf radio

[RichBertie]

I am having a problem getting a jack plug to fit in the external speaker socket of a Cobra MR55 DSC radio. The plug size stated in the manual is 3.5mm standard mono, but I have tried three plugs of this type from three different suppliers, and none of them fit properly. It appears that the socket is recessed into the main radio unit too much, preventing the plug making a contact. My radio supplier has had to modify one of the plugs to make it fit, and is now trying to charge me for this service on a brand new radio. He claims that there is a plug that will fit, but will not or can not tell me who makes it. The supplier will not return the radio until I pay for the work, which seems unfair if it is a fault on the radio. Has anyone else come across this problem, and are they aware of a plug that does fit? My uncle has an identical radio, and that has the same problem.
Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[Alfie168]

On the subject of a suitable 3.5plug why not contact the UK/Europe agent for Cobra radios and ask them to address this particular problem. Its one of those things that can truly spoil an ownership experience. You can't be the only one having this problem, and if they are unaware of it its time they were made aware.

As for recovering your VHF, I'm sure you have covered all the angles, but rather than get into a confrontation I'd suggest you write to them expressing your disappointment, and perhaps suggest a compromise of some kind. May work, may not, but it worth a stamp.

Hope you get it sorted OK (as I mentally cross the Cobra off my list of DSC radios)

Tim

 

[Heckler]

marathon are the importers, i bought a hand held cobra at the LBS, i dropped it a few months later and broke the volume on off switch knob off, i traced marathon and gave them a bell to see if they knew where i could buy a switch from, he said no probs, send it to us and we will send a replacement radio! we will replace under warranty!
and they did!!
superb service, i would phone them up and i suspect that they might lean on the dealer!
stu

 

[RichBertie]

Thanks for the reply, that could be very helpful. Do you have any contact details for the importer? Our supplier is being very difficult to deal with, and will not reply to e-mails, and rejected a special delivery letter that I was advised to send by Trading Standards. He is threatening to dispose of the radio if I do not pay him. I contacted Cobra in the US via e-mail, but they just say the plug should fit, but it doesn't. I wonder if they have different plugs in the US.

Many thanks.

 

[RichBertie]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I am already in a confrontation with the supplier, who refuses to respond to my e-mails, and rejected a special delivery letter. He is now threatening to dispose of my radio if I don't pay up. I certainly could not recommend the radio, as I have seen the problem on two radios, with three separate jack plugs. I would be even less keen to recommend the supplier, as he has been very awkward and rude. I won't name him, as I am not sure that it is allowed on this forum sadly.

 

[Moonshiners]

There are quite a few different size and shape jack plugs, i.e some will fit on an ipod nano with the charging/input/ouput lead (as it sits very close) and some will not, the cheaper jacks tend to be larger (and don't fit), sorry no advise on dealing with your retailer other than lean on the distributor.

But worth shopping around for the jack.

 

[Gordonmc]

I have just fitted a Cobra DSC... sorry I don't know the model number.
However, the unit came with a NMEA lead for the GPS connection and the plug was smaller than a standard 3.5mm. It fitted both the GPS socket and the external speaker socket.
I suggest if you have the same, use it to source a plug of the same size.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
I won't name him, as I am not sure that it is allowed on this forum sadly.


[/ QUOTE ] Its been done in the past. Name and shame.

I have come across a similar problem with these small jack plugs before. In order to plug the loudspeakers into one of SWMBO's friend's computer I had to file a bit of the side of the plug top. Not a job that would have warranted a charge!

I reckon if after buying the radio from him this guy wants to make a charge for some trivial alteration to a plug, especially as he is unable or unwilling to supply one that fits, he is an absolute rat and deserves to be named.

I found once that a threat of being named on the internet produced results!

I don't know if you looked there but of a choice of two at Maplin one, a metal bodied one, looks smaller than the other plastic bodied one.

 

[Alfie168]

If the supplier fails to respond to emails, and refuses a letter, then I feel a small claims court coming on. He won't want the bad publicity.

If you have made genuine efforts to resolve this and the only response is 'full payment or I dispose of the radio" then you will win in court. You cannot refuse to pay a reasonable payment if he has made genuine efforts to resolve the matter, but an excessive payment for a poorly executed(dare I use the term bodge) result will not go down well in the SCC I would reckon.

Tim

 

[RichBertie]

Thanks to everybody for their advice. I have been in contact with the importer of the radio, who has promised to look into the matter for me. They are going to contact the supplier on my behalf. I hope that can help to resolve the situation.

I would rather avoid the courts, as any case would more than likely be heard in the supplier's local court, which would require me to travel a considerable distance, which would be very difficult as I am disabled. I could also not be sure of winning a case, if the supplier can show that there is a jack plug that matches the description in the radio's manual, and that does fit. However I have asked him to do this on several occasions, and he has failed to do so.

I will have to wait and see what happens in the next few days, when the importer has had a chance to contact the supplier.