Firmware updates not allowed
 

I'm in the process of pricing up equipment from various manufacturers. One company is quoting an EX3 at £900 more than a couple of competitors (such as proav.co.uk). They claim that their stock will 'almost certainly be grey imports'.

Additionally, they say that because of this, the cameras will not allow us to update the firmware at all (which will cause "complex workflow issues").

Would anyone care to comment on these remarks?

Thanks guys, really appreciate your replies.

MC

Hi Mike - it sounds like a try-on and rather naughty. I bought my EX3 from ProAv in Hemel nearly 2 years ago. Have bought various other things from them too. All absolutely fine and they are a reputable dealer.

I haven't tried to update my EX3 as it works just fine and 'if it aint broke' ......

You only need to update the firmware if you choose to use SDHC cards (not very reliable in my experience.) Buy some SxS cards (costly I know) but use the £900 you are saving to get a couple of 32Gb ones. Stanley's in London sell them at the best price I've found.

Enjoy the EX3 - it is a terrific camera!

Wait, where's the decision here? You have the option of a buying from a good product from a reputable dealer at market price, or buying a grey-market camera from a shady dealer at an unusually high price. Why would you ever go for the grey-market one?

Sorry, they claim that the cheaper products than theirs are the ones that are grey imports; suggesting that proav.co.uk will provide me with a grey import that will not accept firmware updates, while their product is verified uk hence the £900 extra.

I don't think this is the case and have bought products from them in the past, I just wanted to know people's thoughts or if there was any truth to this.

I have contacted Pro AV to hear their advice too.

MC

Mike,

I have done business with ProAV as well. As said, they are a reputable dealer, never had an issue doing business with them. I bought a used F330 camcorder from them and was able to update it without any problems. They are a Sony Specialist Dealer that is also mentioned in the Sony Datbase:

Sony : Contact a dealer now : United Kingdom

I wouldn't know why Sony would do that if they sell grey imports......

All sounds rubbish to me.

Additionally there's no issues updating "grey" models. I find "grey" a poor term to use in anycase. The cameras are exactly the same regardless of where you buy them that's the beauty of the EX series.

Unlike my little Canon Legria. When I looked at prices online one company was much cheaper. When pushed into if it was PAL or NTSC they came out with "all TV's can display NTSC these days anyway" which set off huge alarm bells. I ended up buying from Amazon as they had the best price on the UK stock (although they pushed up their price a few days after I got my camera).

I thought as much.

I contacted Pro AV to clarify and, as expected, they are a genuine UK dealer with Sony Silver status, which gives you 2 year warranties and therefore there is no issue updating firmware (there wouldn't be regardless).

These guys were totally 'at it'. I'm not going to name and shame, but I am going to relay my findings to them.

Thanks guys

MC