Just received a new Kowa 883 last week. Impressions forthcoming! I'm now more confused about their warranty, though.
The warranty card has an * that's not present on Kowa's online warranty description. The card that gets mailed back to Kowa says:
I'm not sure how this would be interpreted. After 7 years following the model's retirement, could Kowa refuse parts & service, so I'm screwed? Or would they replace with a current model?
I assume if I needed user-caused damage repaired after this period of time, I'd be SOL with no obligation on Kowa's part. The 883's been produced for awhile now, so my guess is we're talking about ~10 years or so when repairs can be made.
Has anyone ever asked Kowa about how this works? Is it reasonable to be disappointed by this surprise?
The warranty card has an * that's not present on Kowa's online warranty description. The card that gets mailed back to Kowa says:
Your Spotting Scope, Binocular or other Optic is warranted to be free of defects in material and workmanship for the lifetime of the product.*
*We guarantee the availability of parts and service 7 years after production of the product ends. After this 7 year period, parts and service are subject to availability.
There is no mention of a 7-year limit here: https://sportingoptics.kowa-usa.com/content/17-limited-lifetime-warranty*We guarantee the availability of parts and service 7 years after production of the product ends. After this 7 year period, parts and service are subject to availability.
I'm not sure how this would be interpreted. After 7 years following the model's retirement, could Kowa refuse parts & service, so I'm screwed? Or would they replace with a current model?
I assume if I needed user-caused damage repaired after this period of time, I'd be SOL with no obligation on Kowa's part. The 883's been produced for awhile now, so my guess is we're talking about ~10 years or so when repairs can be made.
Has anyone ever asked Kowa about how this works? Is it reasonable to be disappointed by this surprise?