HCG Predator Helmet, faults and repair query

[Garthok]

Hi all, a few weeks ago I received my Predator Helmet and display from Hollywood Collectibles Group. It is a nice piece and I am happy with the look of it. But the electronics are absolute rubbish. The 3 LEDs on the helmet only work intermittently, and only if you wiggle the battery pack around.

The hole in the display is either too small or on the wrong angle, and once the cover for the battery pack is back on, it pushes the faulty unit out of place, and the light fails to work at all.

I was going to just live with this, and leave the cover off the battery pack, as it is mostly displayed with the helmet on anyway and can’t be seen.

I contacted HCG about the problems, and they have been very helpful, and offered to replace the helmet but only if I smash the other one, which I really did not want to do, for a lot of reasons. Firstly, I didn’t want to be without a helmet until the replacement, in unknown condition, turned up. The other was not wanting my sons to see the helmet, which they were handling very carefully, like a museum piece, was now worth nothing. I didn’t think it sent the right message about the value of things.

I relayed this to HCG, and told them rather than do this, I would live with it as is, and just leave the battery pack cover off, thinking maybe I could even resolder the electricals myself. But after taking the helmet off the stand a couple more times it was getting worse, and would flicker on and off or not light up at all, so I decided not to even attempt it, as it could ruin a very expensive prop, and void any kind of warranty.

I once again contacted HCG, and they told me they would hand pick a replacement helmet, and mail it out, and then, when I receive it, I am to smash the original and send proof I have done so. That will be incredibly hard to do, but a deal is a deal, and I am sure they are worried about seeing the limited edition helmet popping up on ebay.

That was 2 weeks ago, and they were to send it then. So I have been waiting patiently for it to arrive..and you know the drill, racing home to try to be there in case the truck arrives, and pricking up your ears at every single car that drives past the house! But nothing. So I emailed them this morning, and the new helmet has not been sent yet, because of the amount of work this time of year. It was over looked, which although disappointing, I don’t have a real problem with. There are worse things, and I have no doubts HCG will eventually come through.

Until then, I am wondering whether I could, or should, attempt to fix this helmet, even if it’s a temporary solution until the replacement arrives. It would be nice to have it working over Christmas for when the family comes with the kids etc. There is one screw that holds the battery pack and electronics in, but I am sure that it is glued in as well, so its going to pretty well ruin it to get inside to the electronics.

I should have simply accepted a replacement when I had the initial problems. But I was happy the helmet had initially arrived in one piece, which doesn’t always happen down this neck of the woods.

Has anyone else had any problems with theirs, and did you attempt a fix, if so do you have any comments or tips?

Pics posted thanks to Wackychimp's Free RPF image posting! But if there is any problem with doing so please feel free to delete all pics

 

[Hez]

I understand that there were some issues with the electronics on another HCG piece (5th Element blaster? I could be wrong) and that HCG were pretty good about sorting them out.

Unfortunately to my knowledge, you are the first person who has received one of these. However, if they are going to send you a replacement anyway, and ask that you smash this one (or send it to me...I promise to photoshop a smash up job on it...), then where's the harm in simply puling everything apart to fix the electronics for Christmas? Doesn't matter if you break it because you're going to have to break it anyway. Just don't do it in front of your sons.

My only other suggestion is emailing the guy at http://www.predatorstuff.com and asking him if anyone knows anything about it. I know he was sent a preproduction review piece, and he may well know of a few other people who have one of these.

 

[Garthok]

Thanks Hez, I just don't want to damage it and then the replacement never shows up. I originaly jokingly emailed HCG and told them I couldn't smash it, but would provide a photoshop of it smashed.

But I have given my word thats what I will do what they ask in order to get it replaced, they really have impressed me with their service. So I will do the right thing by them too.

 

[silverskyes402]

Then save the cannon and sell it to me

 

[Hez]

Well I guess a few other people will chime in, but what I've heard about the customer service has been pretty stellar. I wouldn't worry about not receiving a replacement lid.

Since you have one, I couldn't trouble you for pics of the inside could I? I've been doing my own version, and I'd love to see something besides the stock photo of the internals.

 

[Garthok]

Sure. I hope these help

 

[Hez]

Those are great, thanks!

 

[temponaut]

B9-0297, I've got one of these from HCG too, and it has exactly the same problem you described. The three targeting lights operate intermittently, and only if the wobbly battery pack is coaxed into a very specific position; if the mask is then placed onto the display, the oddly-placed recess for the battery pack inevitably pushes the batteries back out of operating position.

I've discovered that the battery pack can be kept in the correct position when the mask is on the display head only if the battery pack cover is not used and the mask is placed on the head very gingerly. It seems you found likewise.

I will be curious to hear whether your hand-picked replacement mask solves the problem. Seems a bad sign that the replacement has to be "hand-picked" in order to ensure that the electronics work properly. I'm sure that HCG has sold many of these displays, but so far you and I are the only two people I know who got one, and we both have the same faulty electronics. :unsure

I do like the appearance of the mask and bust very much. It makes a terrific display, and the magnetic mounting system works very well.

 

[Garthok]

Hi Temponaut, sorry to hear yours is faulty too. It is exactly the same problem as mine. I left the cover off and thought I could live with it, but then it stopped working even like that. I am hoping the replacement will be more securely wired so even if it does bump it will stay working.

If this doesn't work I may...may!...use the Dremel and modify the hole the battery pack slips into, then repaint the entire black area on the stand. but that would be my ultimate last resort. I will let you know if and when I get a replacement and whether it fixes the problem

 

[temponaut]

Thanks for keeping us informed, B9-0297. Your Dremel plan sounds like it should work, but I hope you won't have to resort to such extremes to get your electronics to function properly.

I suppose I should let HCG know that my electronics are wonky. That way I'll be in a better position to request a replacement should you report that you got a much better unit the second time around.

Thanks again!

 

[Garthok]

I would let them know now. You don't know how many replacment helmets they have available. Plus I think they need to hear it, it may get them to look at getting the electronics done elsewhere in future, and to realise the cheapest quote does not necessarily mean money saved.

 

[temponaut]

I'll let them know.

Like you, I had figured I'd live with this. I have a long story, but I'll say simply that I had hoped I wouldn't have to deal with customer service again so soon.

But I'll write to them. Thanks.