Problems with Bushnell Pinseeker 1500?

[ghromas]

I have been using a Pinseeker 1500 for the past 2+ years and it has been great! Lately though, it has struggled to pick up and give a reading on any pins that don't have some reflective piece on them. I tried replacing the battery, and it still struggles by not returning any ranges- not even inaccurate ones!

 

Though I've kept it in the case whenever I travel with it, I'm afraid too much jostling by the TSA in my travel bag may have broken it?

 

No idea, just wanted to see if anyone else has had similar problems with old Pinseekers before I pony up for a new one.

 

Thanks!

[SpinMill75]

I would contact Bushnell and see whats up? The models I've seen look pretty stout and should be able to withstand some overzealous TSA agent.

Keep us posted.

[golfortennis]

A couple of things....unless there has been a lot more than we don't know, the unit should still be find. How long ago did you purchase it?

 

Over-zealous TSA? You aren't checking it are you? Mine was in my carry bag and they didn't even touch it. I hope you aren't checking it. Forget about damage, you may not see the unit again.

[ghromas]

i think i got it in Aug2006. i do check the rangefinder. it's in my golf bag, inside a burst proof travel bag. the TSA always opens my bag and leaves me a little note to let me know that they've fondled my clubs- didn't think they open the pockets??!! might have to carry my ball markers with my wallet!

[rapriebe]

i think i got it in Aug2006. i do check the rangefinder. it's in my golf bag, inside a burst proof travel bag. the TSA always opens my bag and leaves me a little note to let me know that they've fondled my clubs- didn't think they open the pockets??!! might have to carry my ball markers with my wallet!

 

I wouldn't check my rangefinder any more than I'd check my camera. It doesn't take that much of a knock to throw the optics out alignment. It isn't the TSA that I'd be worried about, its the ordinary baggage handlers whose mission is to destroy. :diablo:

[theothertwo]

That happened to mine, I just sent it back to Bushnell and they'll fix it (out of alignment). Go to their website.

[Boba]

I had 3 1500's fail within a year, I exchanged it for a callaway nikon & it's still going strong after 2 years.

[wetdogg]

mate, i had exactly the same problem(same rangefinder too). when i first purchased it, it was awesome. you could pick out a pin from anywhere. after a year or so it could barely pick up pins from 100 yrds. So i just sold it on ebay and go a pinseeker medalist which is now doing me proud.

[swgolfer]

Your laser alignment is off, it happens to any brand of laser if they take enough pounding. There is a reason 95% of Tour players and caddies use the 1500, it is the standard. Send it to Bushnell repairs 8500 marshall dr. lenaxa ks. 66214 and they will repair it correctly and only charge you for $10.00 shipping. Try doing that with Callaway, oops i mean Nikon who is not in the Golf business....

[307golf]

swgolfer is exactly right. Your situation sounded like my post on here several months ago. Exact same problem. Cost me $10.00 for shipping and they clean, align, test the whole thing. It works GREAT now.

 

Look @ their website for contact info and addresses. Less than a month turn around.

 

Good luck.

 

307golf

[burner68]

Thanks to this forum, I discovered the laser alignment issues with the Pinseeker. It was still under warranty so I followed the instructions on their website to have my rangefinder evaluated. While I'm happy to report they sent me the newest model as a replacement, Bushnell had the device for 30 days before beginning their evaluation. So they made it right, which is great. But it took too long, in my opinion.

[Smooth spin scott]

That's great customer service...same thing happened to mine, but unfortunately they only replaced mine with a new 1500 not the 1600.. Oh well, considering I bought 3 years ago I was cool with that.

[dablph]

The only problem I've had with mine so far is parts of the numbers fading. Is this an issue they will fix?

 

Oh, and that clasp that holds the battery in...I've lost 2 of them.

[ghromas]

That's great customer service...same thing happened to mine, but unfortunately they only replaced mine with a new 1500 not the 1600.. Oh well, considering I bought 3 years ago I was cool with that.

Wait, they still did it even though it was after the warranty period expired? I just bought another one.

[ShortButCrooked]

That's great customer service...same thing happened to mine, but unfortunately they only replaced mine with a new 1500 not the 1600.. Oh well, considering I bought 3 years ago I was cool with that.

Wait, they still did it even though it was after the warranty period expired? I just bought another one.

 

That would be awesome. When I called them with the same problem, they asked me to send it to them along with the original receipt. If it was under warranty, they would fix it or replace it free of charge. If it was past the warranty period, they would look at it and let me know what it would cost. Of course, I can't find the warranty, but my recollection is I bought this more than 2 years ago. I'm going to send it in without the receipt and take my chances. With all these reports of great customer service, I can see them re-aligning the laser for me free of charge.

[Smooth spin scott]

Yes walked it in to Bushnell here in Toronto, the guy took it to the back, tested it and came back with a new one. I did tell a fib stating that I had only had it for 2 years...he didn't question me or even ask for a receipt.

[dablph]

The only problem I've had with mine so far is parts of the numbers fading. Is this an issue they will fix?

 

Oh, and that clasp that holds the battery in...I've lost 2 of them.

 

 

bump

[hoganapex]

Just wanted to update my experience.

 

My 1500 had failed to pick up targets outside of 100 yards 6 months ago.

I had it repaired, 4 months later it is doing the same thing.

 

It sucks. I prefer the exact yardage over a gps, but it sucks to have this thing fail every 6 months.

 

 

Not sure what I will do next. I feel certain it will fail again after they "fix" it, but what do you do? I surely don't want to sell it to someone evern after repair knowing it is a lemon.....

 

very disappointed with my 1500 purchase.

[winnddyy]

For those that consider sending your broken Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 to Bushnell to repair...

I sent my 1500 Pinseeker unit to Bushnell 6 weeks ago for repair as mine only gave me any distances up to 60 yards. Received update from Bushnell yesterday (online) that it will cost me $285.00 to repair. I called them this morning trying to get an explanation and was told that it will cost that much to repair the old 1500 Pinseeker unit OR they will send me an upgrade NEW 1600 Pinseeker unit for the same amount of $285.00 (they will keep my old 1500 unit, however.)

Needless to say, I was not happy with Bushnell's "repair approach". I will not buy another Bushnell product ever.

Does anyone else have this problem with Bushnell or just me??? I bought it over a yr ago and offcourse, I did not keep the receipt.

[muxi87]

For those that consider sending your broken Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 to Bushnell to repair...

I sent my 1500 Pinseeker unit to Bushnell 6 weeks ago for repair as mine only gave me any distances up to 60 yards. Received update from Bushnell yesterday (online) that it will cost me $285.00 to repair. I called them this morning trying to get an explanation and was told that it will cost that much to repair the old 1500 Pinseeker unit OR they will send me an upgrade NEW 1600 Pinseeker unit for the same amount of $285.00 (they will keep my old 1500 unit, however.)

Needless to say, I was not happy with Bushnell's "repair approach". I will not buy another Bushnell product ever.

Does anyone else have this problem with Bushnell or just me??? I bought it over a yr ago and offcourse, I did not keep the receipt.

Bushnell's customer service has tried "bending me over" also...they said mine was beyond repair but they would replace for $325. I told them I had only had it a year and a half, but they could care less. Finally, I talked to someone in charge, and he offered to replace my 1500TE, but only if I could provide the receipt from the original purchase. I bought the thing in October of 2007 (I only know this exactly because it was during the Tour Championship when I had some buddies in town for the tourney), so of course, I can't find the receipt.

 

Absolutely the $hittiest customer service I've ever encountered in the golf industry.

[penguined]

I purchased my pinseeker 1500 4 years ago, I sent it back for warranty work 2 years ago (would not pick up anything past 60 yds). Sent it with $10.00, they fixed it and all was O.K. for the next year and a half. Then it started to act up again, I sent it back for warranty repair again only this time, after holding it for nearly two months, they tell me that because it is a discontinued, out of warranty unit, that they will fix it for $110 and give me a 90 day warranty or replace it with a new "pro 1600" unit for $215.00. Looks like the Pro 1600 sells for about $400.00, so they are selling me a new one for 1/2 price. I am very disapointed that a company with world wide recognition won't stand behind their equipment any better than this. I'm not sure I'm going to go for the deal, too much aggrivation to deal with this every 2 years, plus they hold the damn things for 2 months before they do anything. I've become addicted to the thing, I love the range finder but the new GPS's have gotten so good that I might just scrap it and be done with Bushnell, their falt not mine..penguined..

[The General]

4 year bump

just sent my 1500 back. Said it would be $155 to repair (out of alignment). Or they could give me a discount on some of newer models.

buy new or repair old?

[avgjoe]

[quote name='The General' timestamp='1368111357' post='6998948']
4 year bump

just sent my 1500 back. Said it would be $155 to repair (out of alignment). Or they could give me a discount on some of newer models.

buy new or repair old?
[/quote]


depends on how much the discount is...

[The General]

was told 30-40%, depending on what model. The Z6 would be $302, ProM1 $358, V3 $235

[Body_Visions]

I got a much better
[quote name='The General' timestamp='1368158650' post='7003878']
was told 30-40%, depending on what model. The Z6 would be $302, ProM1 $358, V3 $235
[/quote]

I got a much better deal from them and I got the Pro M1 Slope.

[lin1alc]

Did you read the thread about opening up a Bushnell. You may be able yo do the repair yourself. Or there are ppl willing to buy broken ones to try to fix (including me - though I've never done it before )

[Easy E]

I have a Pinseeker 1500 and love it. It's dead accurate and easy to use. Much easier to use than several more modern rangefinders I have used. I just have problems with the battery cover popping off. Anyone have a good fix?

[jayman2982]

Resurrecting a 7 year old thread.

 

My pinseeker will not pick up any yardages, is it worth it to try and have them fix it. I had it for at least 5 years, time to buy a new one?