So just to recap in case anyone from URC should read this thread.

Your MX880/MX810 comes to you and the plug is fine for a period of time- no fuss, no muss. Did anyone have a defective out of the box?

After XX months, the pin gets bent inside the remote and the plug from the AC adapter won't engage fully into the remote. Then it will no longer charge.

Well, there is someone on URC's forum that has a completely dead 810 and we have one in our store now as well. Ours has a broken connection inside the remote which allows the internal part of the charger jack to visibly move back and forth. The remote won't charge; thus the dead state. Replacing the battery fixes the remote, until the battery dies.

John

there is definite quality problem here w/ MX-810 I just had second remote sent back to URC- first one had broken pin after 3 months of use, was replaced by URC under warranty, but the second one broke again now after 2 years.

URC gives "discounted price" to replace MX-810 -for $175.00 they will send you a new one, after you send them your broken MX-810.

It should be $5.00 fix for URC to replace broken component in my remote, plus $10-15 for handling/whatever, not $175.00

We had had multiple cell phones, never had problems with any of them, however this big charging port on MX-810 breaks...

very, very frustrating ...

I wish I had checked here before paying URC $175.00 for replacement remote, should have bought a battery charger, and would be done...

FIXED THIS PROBLEM!

I just hung up with URC. Their technician was no help. $252 for a replacement they said. This will be the last URC remote I purchase... Too many quality issues.

I did figure out a way (at least temporarily) to fix the issue however.

I stripped back a twist tie, like the kind that might be used for bread. I bent the end into a hook and stuck it in the charge port. I hooked the metal ground tab on the outside of the barrel and gently bent it back into position. The remote plug now makes sound contact--for now at least.

I am convinced URC does not do durability testing. I used to own a MX900 that keys wore out in 1.5 years. Like any manufacturer they should devise a machine to repeat key presses and connector insertions to simulate years of use.

Also, I got quite a bit of attitude from their customer service, who cut me off in the middle of my explanation and said "Well if you jam it in there of course it will break!" I said this was a known issue and I have had no issue with my cell phone which I have plugged in every night for the past three years.

Great design.
Great feel
Great IR database
Great Software.

Crap reliability.

any suggestions for a new brand?

That's a shame, the MX810 is now officially discontinued, otherwise they may have replaced it. The pin issue was resolved, however that seemed to be more of a usage issue more than anything. Unfortunately, they don't "fix"anything so you would have gotten a new one (if under warranty) or gotten a replacement (new) at a nominal charge if it was out of warranty (or purchased from an unauthorized source).


Actually, they do that exact test you mentioned. The issue has nothing to do with the button push, rather the contact material under the keypad that contacts the circuit board. There have been numerous posts and repairs offered up. You should also contact either your rep or customer service at URC specific to MX900 button issues for resolution.


Remember, you are calling New York, speaking to a New Yorker, who speaks American...

Just curious, how do you suppose it got bent in the first place?

@JoeFlabitz
ARE YOU A URC TROLL?

I like how you ended your comment by insinuating that this somehow MY fault. I treat the remote with respect, just like I treat all my electronics. I don't have kids. That connector just plain sucks. This is because of its design. How do I know this? I have owned numerous electronics over the years that I have charged just as often (1-2 times a week). Their connectors did not break.

Why do you assume so many URC users are abusing their remotes? WE aren't the problem. URC is. If URC made cell phones with these kind of connectors they would be out of business.

Also, why I should be grateful to be INSULTED in perfect English by unhelpful URC service reps?

You give a long list of excuses, but the fact remains that I have spent WELL over $1000 on two URC remotes and programming over the past 5 years. All of that for the 'luxury' of being able to turn on my television system easily. How can I justify this huge cost when the remotes keep breaking?

I really don't care WHY URCs fail so often, but if they are tested, then they aren't tested well enough.

These problems I and others have experienced aren't defects... they are DESIGN FLAWS. My experience tells me that good companies cover products out of warranty that have obvious flaws.

I have had some remotes for over 15 years that I use often and still work fine.

I think your sampling here of defective units is far too low to claim design flaws across the board. What do you consider an acceptable MTBF?

The 5 or so defective ones posted from people here since the Fall of 2009 do not accurately represent the thousands in use in the field. Like Whitevan, we have yet to have a single unit come back for service due to this issue. Sorry you are having an issue with your particular model but venting here and calling URC will typically yield no results in your favour...where is your dealer at regarding this?

Meaning what?

Again, all I asked was how you thought it got bent in the first place? Mental telepathy maybe made the pin bend?

Figures I would find this thread as I am looking for a solution for a broken pin on an MX 810. lol

I just went to charge the 810 I have in my basement and wouldn't you know it this same damn problem....I just got an extra 780 on friday, so maybe I will have to use that.

I have a customer that has the same issue with the charging pin that has become disconnected. It is out of warranty and URC would like $210 to upgrade them to a 880. One post discussed purchasing a extra battery and wall charger for a inexpensive fix. Does anyone know what type of wall charger would charge just the bare battery so it can be swapped in and out of the remote? Any answers into how this would work would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Link: ebay.com]

I totally would put a Lithium ion battery in that. Totally. The flames will be beautiful.

Its the same type of charger included with every digital camera, which use lithium Ion batteries. I bought one, worked great, love outboard chargers like this.

Has anyone tried a USB charger to see if the battery charges thru the USB port?