LaserMax SNAFU

[rwinegar]

I just stumbled into this thread which is 18 months old.

http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=478415

In this thread the customer just received his brand new LaserMax laser sight and it did not work due to problems with the battery cap.

I just received my new LaserMax sight for my Glock 37 in the mail today. The on-off switch does not work. Everything is installed properly. I called LaserMax and spoke with a guy named Don. He didn't seem at all surprised. He told me I have a defective battery cap and that he would send me a new one. Apparently LaserMax continues to produce laser sights with defective battery caps.

I would advise anyone who is considering purchasing a LaserMax sight to forget about it and save his money. This battery cap is a cheap piece of soft plastic. It does not look like it should be part of a $300 component. I removed the battery cap from the sight and I am unable to re-insert it. Removal of this cap is necessary whenever the batteries need to be replaced. Each time I try to press it back into the sight it falls out.

Unbelievable that a $300 product is such a piece of junk. Even if the new cap fixes my problem, I can't help but wonder how this piece of soft plastic will hold up in normal use. I regret making this purchase.

[Dalton Wayne]

Lasermax makes a great product I've installed several and owned two currently have one in my Glock 30.
Every company has a bad part now and then it's no reason to trash the company.
When you get yours working I think you will be very happy with it, if not then it sucks to be you..

[rwinegar]

"a bad part now and then"? I wonder how many of these battery caps LaserMax has replaced.

Yeah it sucks to be me. This is a typical response on these forums. I pay $300 for a product that fails right out of the box and it's my fault. That shouldn't happen. But it apparently happens with an alarming degree of frequency. It speaks very poorly of the product's design.

Excerpts from on-line reviews:

1. Michael S Carle : 09/26/2006 20:29:01
I recently purchased my sight and was quite happy with it at first. The install was incredibly easy and took less than 5 minutes as advertised. However, before I had a chance to fire my gun with the sight installed, a connector on the battery cap broke. I called LaserMax at the number given and they have already shipped me a replacement battery cap. I was pleased with their professionalism, but displeased at having to wait even longer to try out the product. I would recommend this product to anyone, but I would also recommend that you buy a spare battery cap or two in case the connector pin breaks. Overall, I give the sight 4 stars because I was incredibly pleased with it installed, but since it broke so quickly (even though its waranteed and the problem is already fixed) I felt that I could not give it 5 stars.

Glock 23 Lazermax

After 2 weeks lazer quit working. Never even got to test if it worked when fired. Replaced batteries, tested batteries. Ive been in contact with tech support for about a month. I was told a new battery cap would be sent. Bottom line....Ive got a fancy looking spring assembly that cost me over $300. Yes I installed it correctly.

[8541/9999]

Call Karrie or Bob 1-800-LASER-03 ex 311 on monday EST They will fix your problem.

[rwinegar]

I had already called LaserMax and a new battery cap is being sent. I hope this fixes the problem. Even if it does, it will not, however, salve my disappointment about a $300 product that was manufactured with a built in defect. This cap, in my opinion, needs to be redesigned.

[MOTHERGREEN]

never had a problem with mine. I'm sure since they are aware of the problem it doesn't exist anymore. they can't really get to all the products that are already out there.. they are giving you and others replacement parts. but hell if you don't want it I'm sure someone would jump at it if you sold it.

[rwinegar]

If you search hard enough you will find some online reviews that are more than a year old that complain about non-functioning battery caps. Yup, they're still making them. That's the part that's hard to swallow.

[MOTHERGREEN]

lucky me then, mine is older than that and works fine. that is kinda odd that they wouldn't adress the problem though. replacing it for free is mighty nice. but a working piece from the get go is even better.

[RayB]

Of the three LaserMax units I've purchased, two are going strong, after thousands of rounds, with original battery caps, and original batteries.

The LaserMax in my G21 occasionally self-activates during firing; but has never failed to activate when switched on.

The LaserMax in Judy's G19 has no issues at all.

That accounts for two...

The second LaserMax ordered (for Judy's G19) was a POS, right out of the box. Rather than a pulsing dot, it shed a dim, glowering amoebic shape on the wall--and nowhere's near POA! I returned it immediately, and the replacement has been flawless.

Had the above-mentioned unit been my first try at Lasermax, I might not have given it a second chance...

There are occasional defects with all products. MidwayUSA occasionally features refurbished Crimson Trace Laser Grips (CT is probably the second largest player in this market). People complain of chronic FTFs in brand new Glocks. :upeyes:

Here are some other product/warranty glitches I've experienced first-hand:

. New VW Jetta delivered with all four wheels out of alignment!

. New PT Cruiser Turbo with "bleeding" brake lines!

. New Mazda Protege with bad A/C compressor!

. New Sony Trinitron TV, when unpacked, failed to turn on!

. Bad Bose speaker!

All of the above are considered excellent products, with better than average consumer ratings. What are you gonna do? In every case the OEM made it right... :phew:

I've heard of defective artificial heart valves requiring replacement! How would you like to be that consumer? :shocked:

rwinegar, this is a well deserved and proper rant! :rant:

But be advised that the battery caps do not simply "press" in. Rather, the sort of slide upward into place. :thumbsup:

While I've not had to replace batteries yet, I have run through the drill on both of ours. They work as advertised. :wavey:

You know, if I really wanted to rant, I'd address the great majority of those overpaid clowns, supposedly working for us, and leading our country right now! I honestly don't know anybody these fools represent! Build the freaking fence already! :steamed:

--Ray

[rwinegar]

RayB:

The new style battery caps are not locked into place like the previous version. It does not slide into place. Rather it is simply pushed into the tube. The defective battery cap that I removed cannot be reinserted. Whenever I try to reinsert it, it simple falls out. There is nothing but friction to hold it into place. This is a major defect. The cap has an O ring that is supposed to form a seal between it and the tube holding the batteries. Because the cap cannot seat, there is no seal.

LaserMax told me six days ago that they were going to mail me a new cap the same day. I live only about 200 miles from Rochester, NY and I should have received it by now. I have not. If this new cap does not fix the problem, I am going to return it and request a refund. If they bulk, I will contest the purchase with my credit card company.

I am thoroughly fed up with this.

Your own experience has been less than perfect. You had one LaserMax that failed right out of the box and another that turns itself on. This self activation is another very common problem. Why so many people have so many problems and still stand behind this company is beyond my understanding.

LaserMax should be monitoring this website.

[RayB]

Originally posted by rwinegar
RayB:

1) The new style battery caps are not locked into place like the previous version. It does not slide into place. Rather it is simply pushed into the tube. The defective battery cap that I removed cannot be reinserted. Whenever I try to reinsert it, it simple falls out. There is nothing but friction to hold it into place. This is a major defect. The cap has an O ring that is supposed to form a seal between it and the tube holding the batteries. Because the cap cannot seat, there is no seal.

2) LaserMax told me six days ago that they were going to mail me a new cap the same day. I live only about 200 miles from Rochester, NY and I should have received it by now. I have not. If this new cap does not fix the problem, I am going to return it and request a refund. If they bulk, I will contest the purchase with my credit card company.

3) I am thoroughly fed up with this.

4) Your own experience has been less than perfect. You had one LaserMax that failed right out of the box and another that turns itself on. This self activation is another very common problem. Why so many people have so many problems and still stand behind this company is beyond my understanding.

5) LaserMax should be monitoring this website.

**********

1) Bummer. Usually products improve as they evolve.

2) I usually give matters five business days before calling back. Did you buy the unit, NIB, from the OEM, or from a retailer?

3) I get that. You should push for a refund and be done with it.

4) In that 18-month old post you referred to in your opening of this thread, I stated, "...my LM has turned itself on once, in 2000 + rounds...and has never failed to activate when switched on. I find this acceptable."

In this current thread I stated, " The LaserMax in my G21 occasionally self-activates during firing..." With over 8000-rounds on it now, it has happened a few more times, hence the term, "Occasionally".

5) They do!

Here's a thread describing service of a LaserMax unit in a G21, that sort of parallels my own:

http://www.commtechreview.net/firearms/lasermax.htm

IMO, the LaserMax was, and still possibly is, the best option for Glock pistols. This is based on my experience.

Using Reverse Logic, I Don't Want...

. To send the gun away for custom installation.

. A laser sight clamped around the back strap of my Glock.

. The grip angle of my Glock altered.

. An instant-on, always-on laser sight.

. Disassembly requiring tools, before heading to the range.

. A laser mounted too far off the bore axis.

. Collimation hassles.

. A bulky rail-mounted laser sight.

. A laser/light combo.

Given all of the above, I would still stick to LaserMax, or look at the new Uni-Max laser sight (see attached)...

--Ray

[rwinegar]

I purchased my LaserMax sight NIB from Nightvisionsales.com because they had the best price by far.

The battery cap shown on the TCRT website does not look anything like the one on my sight. It appears to be much better built and much sturdier. I accessed this same website prior to ordering my sight and I thought I would be receiving the components shown there. Because I installed/uninstalled mine about a dozen times in an attempt to make it work, it is deeply marred and scuffed badly. It is made of a very soft material. I don't see how it can possibly hold up to the punishment of repeated use, recoil, etc. A close examination of my cap shows that the contact point does not protrude from the cap. It is flush with the surface of the cap. No wonder it does not work. Quality control appears to be severely lacking at LaserMax.

I'll wait one more day for the new cap to arrive before calling LaserMax again.

I considered the Uni-Max sight initially. However, I'm afraid my Glock 37 will not fit in my holster with this sight attached.

[8541/9999]

Dial 1-800-laser-03 and talk to bob b now ext 311

[rwinegar]

I called laserMax AGAIN. I got the old "the check is in the mail" response. I was told the battery cap was mailed six days ago. Normal mail time between my house and LaserMax office is two days. They are going to mail another one. Never before in my life was something sent to me that I didn't receive.

[RayB]

Originally posted by rwinegar


1) I called laserMax AGAIN. I got the old "the check is in the mail" response. I was told the battery cap was mailed six days ago.

2) Normal mail time between my house and LaserMax office is two days. They are going to mail another one. Never before in my life was something sent to me that I didn't receive.

**********

1) Odds are, the person that told you that, didn't physically mail it themselves. At any rate, you should be getting two now, no?

When I called LaserMax regarding replacement recoil springs, for future use, they sent me two (one for the G21 & one for the G19) at no cost, just for the asking! :thumbsup:

I haven't needed the new springs yet, as both originals still cycle fine.

2) When I gripe about government, I never include the postal service. That's one branch of government, that in my personal history, works very well! God knows, in 51-years, I've never not gotten a bill! :banana:

I did on one occasion, order a watch that never showed up. I suspect that it was "intercepted" (stolen). :upeyes:

--Ray

[rwinegar]

I finally received a package from LaserMax. It contained two (2) battery caps and new batteries. The first package was not received because it was sent to the wrong house number and wrong first name. The PO probably discarded it it because of the wrong name. The second package was sent to the correct address, but still in the wrong name. That too was probably discarded. The third package was also sent to the wrong name, but it was sent via Federal Express who
only delivers to addresses not first names. As a result this one was received by me. I am not sure why LaserMax sent two (2) battery caps. Maybe they figure one of them might not work.

I inserted one of the new battery caps. It didn't want to stay as it kept falling out of the battery tube. This new design does not lock on like the older design. I jammed it into place against the barrel lug and the spring pressure kept the cap in place. The switch worked this time. I could now turn the laser on/off. I then fired 100 rounds through the gun and there was no inadvertant switching on/off of the light as a number of other users reported. Everything now seems to be working properly.

My initial intention was to purchase this sight for my Glock 37 and also for my Springfield Armory XD40. After my experience with the Glock sight I changed my mind. I will not be purchasing a LaserMax sight for the XD40. I am afraid I may have to go through this entire senerio all over again. Too many people are having battery cap problems for me to chance it again.

LaserMax did come through and fix my defective sight. For that I am grateful. But there should have been no reason to. The sight should have worked out of the box.

[MOTHERGREEN]

makes me wonder why they changed the battery cap in the first place.