Second thoughts on the HC1...is it for me?

Art Willig · February 19th, 2007, 01:36 AM

Anyone know if you can get any kind of warranty on a used HC1?
May havta buy the HC5 new from an authorized dealer...

David Delaney · February 19th, 2007, 04:58 PM

You will need to look for a used one with a MACK extended warranty on it I think at this point.

Art Willig · February 21st, 2007, 12:39 AM

I was able to hack it down to my limit and ended up with a new cam.
Wasn't able to get a new HC1 with warranty. Saw used HC1's on ebay for around $1100...HC3's going for $800...Then I found this.

Found an authorized Sony wheeler dealer
HC5 = $900 (standard package including remote, cables, etc)
4 Year extended warranty = $120
Just over $1000
The Sony warranty assures me I can use my cam about 3-5 times a week transfering, shooting, viewing to my hearts content without some huge $500 repair bill looming at me should it break over the years.
If I can get $250 out of the cam in five years when several other options exist, this overall cost boils down to around 50 cents a day for this type of HD.

David Delaney · February 21st, 2007, 07:53 AM

Sounds good. If you like the HC5 and satisifies your needs for HD, it is a good deal.
Remember, Sony only covers the first 90 days, and then it is $250.00 for repair after that -- BUT, the mack warranty cover everything for free after the first year.

Art Willig · February 21st, 2007, 01:07 PM

The Sony dealer just informed me no 4 year warranty on this cam...just 3. I never read anything about Sony's $250 service charge...

Yours is the first response to warranties after posting wanting info on warranties in several forums...all without replies. Simply put, amateurs don't get warranties if the cam's just going to sit on the shelf most of it's life...only the pros who are actually going to use it.

This letter writing is totally inferior to simple phone calls...

Thx...take it Mack is the better of the two...

David Delaney · February 21st, 2007, 04:28 PM

Here is the sketch from two manufacturers - both Pana and Sony.
After 90 days, they don't cover Labour on items. Parts and Labour for 90 days. After that, Sony told me it would cost $260.00 to look at it and that cost would be included in the repair. Panasonic was a little bit cheaper - its been a while, but I think it was $130.00 to look at it and that would also be included. The great thing about Mack Camera Warranty and I mean GREAT, is that after the Manufacturers warranty runs out, the Mack warranty kicks in and it covers everything except shipping. There are no labour charges. As long as it is not a 'user' problem, and it is a 'camera' problem (ie; they won't fix it if you drop it), then you are good. If the camera click out after 3 months, if you can wait for the Mack Year to kick in I would, if not - you are out the labour cost.

Mack Camera rules. I would recommend them to anybody and the price for extended warranty can't be beat and is well worth the piece of mind.

Art Willig · February 21st, 2007, 10:43 PM

Very interesting...

Well, that's weird. I just ordered the HC5 from an authorized dealer and the owner said if I bought the 3 year extended warranty (4 isn't available for some reason) for $100, there won't be any charge at all except shipping. I send the cam to him in PA and he sends it in from there...and has been in biz over 50 years.

I've got 2 weeks to decide...Has anyone actually used Mack? This store owner said he had a lot of difficulty with them...just how, I don't know. He mentioned it's more of a clearing house kind of arrangement without specialists of any one cam. Regardless, he didn't seem to think much of Mack.

The SonyStyle guy also mentioned that if bought on eBay new, Sony will not honour the warranty. This is where Mack or Squaretrade probably comes into play for those not buying from an authorized dealer.

Thanks for responding...lots of shades of gray I see.

David Delaney · February 22nd, 2007, 06:18 AM

Well, I have never heard of the $100.00 before and I just got off the phone with Sony less then 3 weeks ago. If it sounds good and it is a reputable dealer, then you are in a good position. They shouldn't charge anything in reality if the camera is defective, that is why I like the Mack warranty - but I guess it is a matter of taking the plunge.
As far as Mack service, I haven't had any problems and sent it to them twice now with my Panasonic. If he is putting Mack down, it might be just old fashion competition.
Maybe someone else can pipe in with their experience with Mack or others?

Art Willig · February 22nd, 2007, 12:58 PM

The $100 3-year warranty is probably this large dealers own flavor. I called SonyStyle and they offer a 4-year. I'll have to call around again to get more info. Writing letters is the worst way to get info because people don't read. I suppose I could even get both Mack and Sony warranties but it breaks my budget. There's even a Squaretrade warranty for cams. Just when they kick in is another question.
Thx

David Delaney · February 22nd, 2007, 02:47 PM

Art,

I don't know what the EXTENDED warranty is like with Sony - I hope there was no confusion. I was talking about the 1 year warranty that comes with the camera right out of the box. Anything else about Sony - extended warranty - is new territory for me.

Art Willig · February 23rd, 2007, 05:31 AM

ic...well, anything over a year is extended...
these options are best discussed over the phone
btw, the $100 deal from this dealer covers it all except shipping...all 3 years from the start

thx

February 19th, 2007, 01:36 AM	#16
Art Willig Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 104	Anyone know if you can get any kind of warranty on a used HC1? May havta buy the HC5 new from an authorized dealer...

February 19th, 2007, 04:58 PM	#17
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	You will need to look for a used one with a MACK extended warranty on it I think at this point.

February 21st, 2007, 12:39 AM	#18
Art Willig Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 104	I was able to hack it down to my limit and ended up with a new cam. Wasn't able to get a new HC1 with warranty. Saw used HC1's on ebay for around $1100...HC3's going for $800...Then I found this. Found an authorized Sony wheeler dealer HC5 = $900 (standard package including remote, cables, etc) 4 Year extended warranty = $120 Just over $1000 The Sony warranty assures me I can use my cam about 3-5 times a week transfering, shooting, viewing to my hearts content without some huge $500 repair bill looming at me should it break over the years. If I can get $250 out of the cam in five years when several other options exist, this overall cost boils down to around 50 cents a day for this type of HD.

February 21st, 2007, 07:53 AM	#19
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Sounds good. If you like the HC5 and satisifies your needs for HD, it is a good deal. Remember, Sony only covers the first 90 days, and then it is $250.00 for repair after that -- BUT, the mack warranty cover everything for free after the first year.

February 21st, 2007, 01:07 PM	#20
Art Willig Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 104	The Sony dealer just informed me no 4 year warranty on this cam...just 3. I never read anything about Sony's $250 service charge... Yours is the first response to warranties after posting wanting info on warranties in several forums...all without replies. Simply put, amateurs don't get warranties if the cam's just going to sit on the shelf most of it's life...only the pros who are actually going to use it. This letter writing is totally inferior to simple phone calls... Thx...take it Mack is the better of the two...

February 21st, 2007, 04:28 PM	#21
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Here is the sketch from two manufacturers - both Pana and Sony. After 90 days, they don't cover Labour on items. Parts and Labour for 90 days. After that, Sony told me it would cost $260.00 to look at it and that cost would be included in the repair. Panasonic was a little bit cheaper - its been a while, but I think it was $130.00 to look at it and that would also be included. The great thing about Mack Camera Warranty and I mean GREAT, is that after the Manufacturers warranty runs out, the Mack warranty kicks in and it covers everything except shipping. There are no labour charges. As long as it is not a 'user' problem, and it is a 'camera' problem (ie; they won't fix it if you drop it), then you are good. If the camera click out after 3 months, if you can wait for the Mack Year to kick in I would, if not - you are out the labour cost. Mack Camera rules. I would recommend them to anybody and the price for extended warranty can't be beat and is well worth the piece of mind.

February 21st, 2007, 10:43 PM	#22
Art Willig Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 104	Very interesting... Well, that's weird. I just ordered the HC5 from an authorized dealer and the owner said if I bought the 3 year extended warranty (4 isn't available for some reason) for $100, there won't be any charge at all except shipping. I send the cam to him in PA and he sends it in from there...and has been in biz over 50 years. I've got 2 weeks to decide...Has anyone actually used Mack? This store owner said he had a lot of difficulty with them...just how, I don't know. He mentioned it's more of a clearing house kind of arrangement without specialists of any one cam. Regardless, he didn't seem to think much of Mack. The SonyStyle guy also mentioned that if bought on eBay new, Sony will not honour the warranty. This is where Mack or Squaretrade probably comes into play for those not buying from an authorized dealer. Thanks for responding...lots of shades of gray I see.

February 22nd, 2007, 06:18 AM	#23
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Well, I have never heard of the $100.00 before and I just got off the phone with Sony less then 3 weeks ago. If it sounds good and it is a reputable dealer, then you are in a good position. They shouldn't charge anything in reality if the camera is defective, that is why I like the Mack warranty - but I guess it is a matter of taking the plunge. As far as Mack service, I haven't had any problems and sent it to them twice now with my Panasonic. If he is putting Mack down, it might be just old fashion competition. Maybe someone else can pipe in with their experience with Mack or others?

February 22nd, 2007, 12:58 PM	#24
Art Willig Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 104	The $100 3-year warranty is probably this large dealers own flavor. I called SonyStyle and they offer a 4-year. I'll have to call around again to get more info. Writing letters is the worst way to get info because people don't read. I suppose I could even get both Mack and Sony warranties but it breaks my budget. There's even a Squaretrade warranty for cams. Just when they kick in is another question. Thx

February 22nd, 2007, 02:47 PM	#25
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Art, I don't know what the EXTENDED warranty is like with Sony - I hope there was no confusion. I was talking about the 1 year warranty that comes with the camera right out of the box. Anything else about Sony - extended warranty - is new territory for me.

February 23rd, 2007, 05:31 AM	#26
Art Willig Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 104	ic...well, anything over a year is extended... these options are best discussed over the phone btw, the $100 deal from this dealer covers it all except shipping...all 3 years from the start thx