Vitamix 5200 Is A Bit Sick

[steveoregon]

This is just an FYI in case others see it.

I've had my 5200 since March of 2008. The variable dial in the middle has become very unpredictable. You can set the variable dial on the lowest speed, then turn the power switch on, but the speed will immediately go to high. Turning the variable switch back and forth a few times will then cause the speed to settle down to low, where it should be.

Or, as another example, if you turn the variable switch to high, it may stay at that speed even though you turn it back to low. And again, if you turn the dial back and forth several times, it will settle back to low.

So, I called Vitamix today to get an RMA (return authorization). They are going to send me a prepaid Fed-X sticker, and I will send it in for repair. I did ask if they had seen this problem before. She admitted, yes. I wish I could remember exactly how she put it, but she seemed to suggest that the only people who are having this problem are people who use the variable switch too much. Hey, it's there.

Anyways, gotta love the 7 year warranty.

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[k8sl8]

May be a problem with a certain "run" of product. I've had one for over 25 years and used it ALL ways SAD and RAW. Lottza vairable as well. Glad they are making it right.

[raweater]

One of the reasons I got the Blendtec is because it's all computerized, that means no moving parts (other than the motor/blades of course) which means a much more reliable and longer lasting machine.

Those analog variable knobs/dimmers will always fail after a certain amount of moving it because each time you turn it you're scraping off the metal windings inside that make it work and once there's enough metal scrapped off the control will fail. I remember old analog stereo volume knobs did exactly the same thing on every analog radio after just a few years. My current sound system has a digital volume knob (although it's still a knob it's infinitely more simple and reliable inside when it's digital) and is entirely digital and computerized, it's my only one that lasted nearly 10 years now and it still works like new today.

A lot of people have the false belief that digital/computerized is more likely to fail but the reality is just the opposite, computerized means no or less moving parts which equal to no wear and tear which means it lasts nearly forever.

[steveoregon]

One of the reasons I got the Blendtec is because it's all computerized, that means no moving parts (other than the motor/blades of course) which means a much more reliable and longer lasting machine.


In reference to Blendtec vs Vita-mix, that simply isn't correct, and there is no reliable data to support it. Unless you have field failure data from both Blendtec and Vitamix, it would be impossible to say accurately which manufacturer has the best long term reliability.

The reliability of a blender is dependent on the sum of many factors. It's MUCH more then just a circuit board vs mechanical dial. It is dependent on things like (1) the quality of each individual component, (2) the original design, and (3) the controls put in place at the manufacturing plant.

Now this is not exactly scientific data, but having monitored two raw food boards over the last 2.5 years, I've seen more people with Blendtec failures then Vitamix.

One last thing, that keypad on the Blendtec is only partly electronic. Each key is a mechanical switch that must be pressed to make an entry.

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[raweater]

I was talking about the controls part, there is absolutely no doubt that there are more failures with the Vitamix analog rotary dial (or any analog rotary dial for that matter) than with the Blendtec buttons, if there even was ever a problem with them.

Yes the switches are mechanical but these are rated to hundreds of thousands of presses (if not millions) before failure, no one will ever reach their failure point, whereas with the Vitamix even they themselves say failures of the rotary dial are frequent with users that turn it often. The life of an analog rotary dial like that isn't much more than 250-500 rotations before failure, if that.

[shine72]

Have to disagree about the rotary dial thing. I've had my refurbished Vita Mix 5000 since 2004 and the only thing I've had to do with the rotary is tighten the screw a little once when it became loose.

This is with HEAVY daily use by 2 adults & 3 children making whatever suits them, whenever it suits them (which means that thing is used at MINIMUM 5 times a day). The variable switch is used EVERY time. Some of these times by a child w/autism who no matter how many times you tell him to be gentle with that switch, he forget to be. lol

[Revvell]

Those analog variable knobs/dimmers will always fail after a certain amount of moving...

Always? I had my first VM for 14 years and it wasn't failing when I sold it. How long should I have waited for it to fail?


... I've seen more people with Blendtec failures then Vitamix.

Yup! Me too! And, I've been around for a lot longer than 2.5 years.

[Mindy Sue]

Yes yes yes.... we have heard many times how much you adore your Blendtec. ;)