bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I can't blame them, but Paul C Buff (who's service is legendary) told me that my strobe is too old, and they won't/can't fix it. They also stopped offering credit towards a newer unit about a year ago. (per Paul C Buff's service dept) So, I spend close to $20 in postage to send it to them, and it will cost me about the same to get it back, just to salvage the flash tubes, modeling light, and shipping cap.

Hopefully, I can talk them into just stripping those things and sending them back to me.

As I said, I'm disappointed, but don't blame them at all. My ultra zap 1200 stopped being manufactured 25 years ago. There comes a point, when all good things must come to an end.

Now, the decision is if I continue with the 3 ultrazaps I have left. A 1600, 1200, and a little 800, plus my two "travel lights, Impact 350ws. that I use, because they were cheap and I didn't stress about losing one...

the sad thing is, I was hoping to just sell the Impact strobes and just use my PCB 1200's (600 ws ea) as my work horses.

Anyway, I'm not angry with PCB, but did want to pass on the info, in case any of the others that replied to my "strobe issue" post that I should send it in for repair, had the same issue.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

With the way electronics are evolving, it is likely that repair parts are no longer manufactured in the same format. I mean components have shrunk and may no longer fit where they used to fit.
I have spent many computer sessions drooling over Buff's three light set up. It is up to $2500.00 dollars now. Maybe someday I'll pull the trigger.
It would have been nice of them to give you a break on an upgrade as you're a loyal customer.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Well....loyal? Back when things lasted forever, you bought once, and (in my case) 25 years later, you try to get it repaired instead of replaced. That being said, as long as they are in business, I'll still continue using them for any new equipment that I do get. I've tried others, but always end up going back to my old trusty PCB.

What I like most about the older stuff (and I may look at ebay for it) is that they have several unique features that you can't get on the newer models.

One of the main things is that the mount for the stand is moveable, and you can actually slide it forward or back to help counterbalance even the heaviest softbox or modifier.

I also really like the simplicity. My newer Impact units are digital with several buttons. The older ones come with sliders, and a few switches that are clearly marked. I honestly still can't figure out what all the buttons do on my impact strobes.

They are also metal, and heavy duty. Until now, even when a stand got knocked over, I never worried about it still working. They just plain worked.

One key is that if you don't use an older strobe for a long time, don't just plug it in, and start firing away at full power. It's best to plug it in, and let it completely warm up, then fire off about 5-10 low power flashes, then up the power. I was taught that 30 years ago, and still use that today, as you can tell by my 25+ year old strobes, it must have some merit.

I do remember how excited I was about getting the digital strobes, and after 5 years, I still just don't like it. I shouldn't have to carry an owners manual with me everywhere to try to figure out what those dang buttons doe.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Disappointing for sure! The folks a PCB should have advised you as to the discontinuation of service on their older units BEFORE you sent it in for repair. Their Canadian service provider had no such notice in their website either.

Most to my portable gear and some of my studio stuff is made by Photogenic. They too have discontinued service on there Flashmaster line but at least, they include a notice of that when you download their repair order form or communicate with them by telephone. They do, however, provide parts and schematics to independent repair facilities. They are going to fix my 25 year old Powerlight.

Things do change. Sadly, Paul C. Buff passed away not too long ago. I think the company is still a family operation. When the younger folks take over the helm, however, they often "streamline" things and cut out certain services that are no longer highly profitable that the old folks would have still provided them in the interest of customer relations

Another issue is that many repair services no longer employ old school technicians who can troubleshoot, diagnose and repair a malfunction. For the most part- they are "parts changers". They will pull an entire circuit board rather than replace a small component. I can't really blame them because you need to be a brain surgeon to solder something on these current printed circuits and micro circuit boards. Also- even on the domestically made units, many of the companies are outsourcing there circuit boards to China and other countries. Oftentimes they change the engineering and their current stock of circuit boards become obsolete and the older units can no longer be serviced.

My custom 2400 w/s power supplies, the ones that I made, for use with Speedotron heads, are mostly point to point hand wired and there are only a few repairable printed circuit boards. Problem is, they weigh a ton- not something you would want to drag to a wedding. Nowadays, the engineering goes toward miniaturization and portability as well as cost effective (cheap) mass production. Currently, there ain't nothin' that's gonna last forever. Most Speedlights are kinda disposable in comparison to the older portables. I have Lumadyne and Norman "wedding" gear that is 25 years old and still work just fine.

Now- if you are emotionally attached to you old BCB unit, you may want to give Holly Enterprises a shout at 800-988-7111. They MIGHT be able to repair it. My own opinion- some of this gear is good but they are like old cars- you fix one thing and then something else goes wrong and you don't want to throw good money after bad. Sadly again- believe it or not, sometimes a successful repair just a matter of a $3. part but the labor costs would be outrageous. As I alluded to, most repair facilities don't want to bother will theses issues.

I don't want to reflect badly on PCB- I still think their gear is good as well as their reputation for fine service. Folks should always be aware of warrantee and guarantee provisions and limitations on gear that they invest in and understand that no company is obligated to maintain parts inventories and service beyond their guarantee periods.

Keep the faith!

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

The part that bothered me is that I spoke to someone from PCB on the phone, and they were the ones that told me to send it in. Once there, I was given the info. I don't blame them, it was a good run.

I'm going to cannibalize it and take the flash tubes, for spares, and I can probably sell the protective cap and reflector for what I have in shipping it back to me.

I'll just remember not to send it in next time. Some day, I may "upgrade to the plastic" newer versions, but as long as I have 3 PCB's and 2 Impact strobes, that'll get me through about anything.

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

There's still hope ...for those wanting the best Made in USA monolights here; http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-535792-1.html