Hema Customer Care

Submitted: Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 14:20

ThreadID: 136874 Views:3370 Replies:8 FollowUps:11

This Thread has been Archived

Itchyfeet Pete (Erina NSW)

Whatever you do don’t break the mounting cradle for your navigator if you’re a Hema HN6 owner. Hema have no stock and, because this is a discontinued model, they will no longer supply this part. Pretty incredible for mine, considering the original purchase cost, that after just 5 years they won’t supply a consumable fragile part like this. Do they expect us to buy a new navigator every 5 years just because the cradle breaks. A bit tough on a pensioner’s budget. Guess I’ll just have to tie my HN6 to the dash with a bit of barbed wire.

Pete

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 16:03

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 16:03

Araldite may fix!

Patrol 4.2TDi 2003

Retired 2016 and now Out and About!

Somewhere you want to explore ? There is no time like the present.

Member
My Profile My Blog Send Message

AnswerID: 619704

Follow Up By: Itchyfeet Pete (Erina NSW) - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 17:02

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 17:02

Thanks Michael. Yep, it might come down to that but the plastic is pretty thin and is cracked and brittle (thankfully too much time in the sun). Might be a tough ask even for araldite.

FollowupID: 892010

Follow Up By: Member - Mark C (QLD) - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 19:24

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 19:24

I am very fortunate and have a 3D printer at my disposal. So a little bit of CAD drawing convert to STL file and hey presto a new part overnight. In either ABS or PLA plastic.

Mark And Helen QLD
Living the Dream

Member
My Profile My Position Send Message

FollowupID: 892018

Follow Up By: Itchyfeet Pete (Erina NSW) - Thursday, Jun 21, 2018 at 10:30

Thursday, Jun 21, 2018 at 10:30

Thanks Marc. Hmm, step 1 a CAD drawing, I'm not quite sure how I get to that point, I somehow doubt that Hema would give me one but maybe I could try.
Pete

FollowupID: 892033

Reply By: b1b - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 16:47

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 16:47

I'd be surprised if you couldn't find an adjustable phone holder that would suit a Hema or something similar ?
Regards - bruce

AnswerID: 619705

Follow Up By: Ozi M - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 17:07

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 17:07

I agree with this, there are a lot of different phone holders available, have a look around as I think it likely you will find one to suit.

Most shopping centres have a mobile phone gadget kiosk, a good place to start.

FollowupID: 892011

Follow Up By: Itchyfeet Pete (Erina NSW) - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 17:08

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 17:08

Thanks b1b. Yep, had a look at that but robust windscreen mounted holders that will take the 95mm height and 185g weight of the HN6 are a bit hard to find. I'll keep looking.
I think I'm more peeved at Hema for not supporting a high cost product with consumable parts for a reasonable period of time.

FollowupID: 892012

Reply By: Member - Noah273 - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 17:05

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 17:05

Not yet a pensioner but feeling your pain, have a look at this Hema 6 Cradle

Lifetime Member
My Profile Send Message

AnswerID: 619706

Follow Up By: Itchyfeet Pete (Erina NSW) - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 17:15

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 17:15

Thanks Noah, yes I’d seen that Johnny Appleseed site but I was a bit taken aback by the $49 price tag (+ $14.20 shipping) when Hema still sell the even older HN5 cradle and the HN7 cradle for $9.95. It seems to me that JA are cashing in on the fact that customers can’t buy the part from Hema anymore.
To me, this issue is more one of a manufacturer’s ethical obligation to support a high cost device with consumables for the life of the product or at least a reasonable time (in my opinion, more than 5 years). The fact that cradles are still available for the other models while they’ve run out of stock of the HN6 cradle also says something about the robustness of the part and makes it even more appropriate for Hema to continue to supply it.

FollowupID: 892013

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 20:06

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2018 at 20:06

That is far cheaper than buying a new navigation unit.

When you all recommendations from Hema, they advise not to leave the unit in the full sun in a stationary vehicle.

Cheers

Stephen

Smile like a Crocodile

Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog My Position Send Message

FollowupID: 892020

Follow Up By: Parafan - Thursday, Jun 21, 2018 at 09:06

Thursday, Jun 21, 2018 at 09:06

Yep the top of mine gets all tacky. Still works but not a great look for a 4x4 product that spends its life on the windscreen.

Everyday is a holiday
Norm & Lisa

Member
My Profile Send Message

FollowupID: 892031

Follow Up By: Itchyfeet Pete (Erina NSW) - Thursday, Jun 21, 2018 at 10:41

Thursday, Jun 21, 2018 at 10:41

Stephen, yes, I certainly acknowledge that it's cheaper than buying a new unit but it still annoys the hell out of me having to pay $63 for a simple part that I should be able to purchase from Hema for about $10.
Regards,
Pete

FollowupID: 892035

Reply By: Malcom M - Thursday, Jun 21, 2018 at 10:00

Thursday, Jun 21, 2018 at 10:00

Pete, if you have all the broken bits then you could do a google search for a mobile plastic welder.
These people have the gear to weld up broken plastic things like car bumpers etc.
A better job than glue as its actually fusing the plastic together.

AnswerID: 619719

Reply By: Ron N - Thursday, Jun 21, 2018 at 10:21

Thursday, Jun 21, 2018 at 10:21

Pete, I've found an American-made superglue that works great on all types of plastic, and which is stronger than Araldite.

It's called Plastic Fusion and you can get it from Mighty Ape for $9.99 plus about $7.50 postage.

I use it to fix every plastic item I've ever broken, and none of the items I've fixed have ever broken again.

The only downside with the product is, it sets like concrete, and has no flexibility. However most high-strength glues are like that, anyway.

Mighty Ape - Plastic Fusion

You've nailed it on the lifespan of todays electronics. 5 years and you're supposed to bin it, and go buy the latest offering.

Smartphones with non-replaceable batteries are the item that gets up my nose.
Just goes to show they work on the life of the whole unit, being the life of the battery.

Cheers, Ron.

AnswerID: 619720