Viking Tri-Lens Reflector - Product Failure

[Babylon]

Bl00dy thing just fell off the mount! And Viking now refuse to replace it, saying that it obviously wasn't mounted properly which it actually most certainly was only two and a half years ago by a professional rigger.

The failure occured just as I was singlehanding into Chichester a couple of weeks ago: a mobo shot out against the flood with significant wash causing a rapid rolling, and then there was a crash as the 3-b0ll0ck unit came smashing down on the foredeck, bouncing some bits into the drink. Even crew on neighbouring yachts jumped at the bang.

I collected the remaining parts, and discovered that the plastic caps which secured the large through-mount aluminium pin had simply worked loose over time. The design incorporates no other fastening or mechanical securing of the plastic end-caps (such as a nyloc system or a split-pin going through the whole assembly) to stop them rotating loose.

I understand that since this common problem first came to light a couple of years ago, the units are now sold with a tube of loctite. Mine wasn't (it was probably made and packaged just before this) and when I bought it from Marine Superstore in Port Solent there were no other instructions to say that locking compound needed to be used, but Viking are arguing that the negligence was mine and they won't replace it gratis.

The annoying thing is that the Tri-Lens does in fact come out most favourably in tests of passive reflectors and I'd like to replace it with an identical unit (into which I'd drill a bleeding great hole for a secure split-pin).

But at nearly £150 for a new unit (retail), I'm wondering whether I should put the money towards an active radar reflector?

 

[Rigger Mortice]

I've got a little sympathy with them as things do tend to work loose on a boat and this is the kind of thing which I check during an annual check of the mast. BUT it seems a bit mean of them to completely wash their hands of it, paticularly as they felt the need to modify the thing shortly after you bought yours.
Personally, I would replace with an active unit or, failing that, anything but a Tri-Lens.

 

[Seajet]

I've got a little sympathy with them as things do tend to work loose on a boat and this is the kind of thing which I check during an annual check of the mast. BUT it seems a bit mean of them to completely wash their hands of it, paticularly as they felt the need to modify the thing shortly after you bought yours.
Personally, I would replace with an active unit or, failing that, anything but a Tri-Lens.

+1

 

[Twister_Ken]

Go active. So much more effective.

 

[RobbieW]

Go active. So much more effective.

+1 & make sure its dual band