Question about Primary Arms Red Dot **Resolved - Update in post 36**

[North86]

A little over a year ago (April 2013) I bought a Primary Arms 30mm red dot and cantilever riser from PA.

Mounted it to my AR, sighted it in and it worked great.

I don't shoot often, maybe once every 2-3 months, and that red dot saw maybe 500 rounds total, and that would be on the high side.

About 2 months ago, I took it shooting and the red dot was dim. I had checked it at home before I left, and it seemed fine, but that was indoors. I assumed bad batteries. I got home, replaced the batteries, and the dot regained it's normal brightness.

This weekend, I took the AR out again, and the dot was dim again. After 3 shots, it was gone.

Has anyone experienced this? Is there a simple fix? It seems like my batteries are draining, even though the sight is in the off position.

I emailed PA, and asked if there was a fix. They said that they don't repair the red dots, but that they would offer me generous discount on a replacement.

I am a little unhappy about this. I realize that the warranty is only 1 year. However, PA makes their reputation on having good quality at low prices. Is it unreasonable to expect more than a year's service from this RDS?

Also, should I take advantage of their offered discount on a replacement or should I look elsewhere? I understand that things break sometimes, but I don't want to throw good money after bad. If I look elsewhere, what should I look at? I can't spend a ton on a RDS, so please keep that in mind.

Note: In addition to the above RDS, I have another Primary Arms red dot, the micro, on another rifle. I have had that one for about 5 months, and it has been performing well. However, my aforementioned PA RDS was working well too at the same age.

[lewdogg21]

I've had a PA red dot for probably 8-10 months with no dimming issues. Maybe you have a lemon.

[-hanko]

A little over a year ago (April 2013) I bought a Primary Arms 30mm red dot and cantilever riser from PA.

This weekend, I took the AR out again, and the dot was dim again. After 3 shots, it was gone.

I emailed PA, and asked if there was a fix. They said that they don't repair the red dots, but that they would offer me generous discount on a replacement.

I am a little unhappy about this. I realize that the warranty is only 1 year. However, PA makes their reputation on having good quality at low prices. Is it unreasonable to expect more than a year's service from this RDS?

How magnanimous of them to offer a "generous discount" on a replacement.

If I had a red-dot that could only live a little over a year, I'd pass on ever buying that brand. I'd also look for a longer warranty when buying a used or new optic.

You may have relief based on general fitness and merchantability, but I'm not an attorney.

Sounds like they're shipping stuff of variable quality.

Were it my company, I would have replaced it just based on my reputation and customer goodwill.

Good luck.

[North86]

How magnanimous of them to offer a "generous discount" on a replacement.

If I had a red-dot that could only live a little over a year, I'd pass on ever buying that brand a year. I'd also look for a longer warranty when buying a used or new optic.

You may have relief based on general fitness and merchantability, but I'm not an attorney.

Sounds like they're shipping stuff of variable quality.

Were it my company, I would have replaced it just based on my reputation and customer goodwill.

Good luck.

I feel the same way, but I wanted to see if others had similar issues.

[caliberetta]

Between dozens of cars, appliances, and a thousand electronic devices I've had in the past, I've lost count of the number of things that have conked out just after the warranty period ended... of course.

Neither do I recall anyone being so charitable as to offer a generous discount towards a replacement after warranty has expired... of course.

In the event that a company offers such a rare remedy however, they still get screwed by a public posting such as this one... as usual.
.

[Carsgunsandchics]

Did you install the spare batteries that came with it? Or a name brand set?

[lumwilliam]

I really expect a primary arms rep to get involved in this thread IMMEDIATELY and make things right for this customer. As of this writing, I don't think of PA as a company that lets their customers hang like that.

[MigNoche]

I've had mine for 2 years w/ no issues. Its been left on many times for several days. My last red dot required new batteries every few months.

[North86]

Did you install the spare batteries that came with it? Or a name brand set?

First I used the spare set that came with it, but they were dead. They had been sitting in the box they came in for the last year.

Then I put in name brand, and it worked as I said. But once I got to the range several weeks later, they stopped working.

[North86]

Between dozens of cars, appliances, and a thousand electronic devices I've had in the past, I've lost count of the number of things that have conked out just after the warranty period ended... of course.

Neither do I recall anyone being so charitable as to offer a generous discount towards a replacement after warranty has expired... of course.

In the event that a company offers such a rare remedy however, they still get screwed by a public posting such as this one... as usual.
.

One, I think I was fair and accurate in my description of the problem, and their offered solution. I don't think I am "screwing" them. I asked if others had this experience, and asked if there were solutions.

I also asked if I was being unreasonable. In reality, given the amount of range time I get, I likely used that red dot about 5 or 6 times in the last year and 3 months. 15 months of service seems to be a short to me.

[Carsgunsandchics]

Loosen the cap to disconnect the battery for storage maybe? Did they say how much of a deep discount?

[North86]

Loosen the cap to disconnect the battery for storage maybe? Did they say how much of a deep discount?

I may try that, but it kind of defeats the purpose of having it handy for HD.

Yes, I know how much the discount is, but I felt that I should keep that between them and me. Its a reasonable amount, but like I said, I don't want to throw good money after bad. My other PA RDS seems to be working just fine, but it's only a few months old.

[Carsgunsandchics]

I may try that, but it kind of defeats the purpose of having it handy for HD.

Yes, I know how much the discount is, but I felt that I should keep that between them and me. Its a reasonable amount, but like I said, I don't want to throw good money after bad. My other PA RDS seems to be working just fine, but it's only a few months old.

Leaving the cap loose is more to test the batteries life. In the last year i've had a few button batteries take a dive for no reason.

[-hanko]

Between dozens of cars, appliances, and a thousand electronic devices I've had in the past, I've lost count of the number of things that have conked out just after the warranty period ended... of course.

Neither do I recall anyone being so charitable as to offer a generous discount towards a replacement after warranty has expired... of course.

In the event that a company offers such a rare remedy however, they still get screwed by a public posting such as this one... as usual.

And a screwing is what they apparently deserve.

I really expect a primary arms rep to get involved in this thread IMMEDIATELY and make things right for this customer. As of this writing, I don't think of PA as a company that lets their customers hang like that.

That remains for a day or 2 to be seen. I hope they do the right thing for you.

[marsh1]

I really expect a primary arms rep to get involved in this thread IMMEDIATELY and make things right for this customer. As of this writing, I don't think of PA as a company that lets their customers hang like that.

I have been out of the country. They would normally bring these to me. We have products with 1, 3 and lifetime warranty but we will stretch it a few months. Shoot me a email.