On November 11, 2020, I received an MAT-705 tuner which I ordered on October 21, 2020 directly from Vibroplex (the importer; MAT Tuner is located in China). For several weeks thereafter, I engaged in what ultimately became an extended, utterly futile effort to obtain customer service from Vibroplex.
This tuner has serious design defects that have been reported in the amateur radio trade press, mostly related to the use of an internal replaceable 9V battery. See, e.g., Thomas Witherspoon, "MAT-TUNER MAT-705 Woes", QRPer, October 14, 2020 (
https://qrper.com/2020/10/mat-tuner-mat-705-woes/). MAT Tuner was obviously well aware of these defects. A few weeks after I received my 705 tuner, it replaced that model with the 705+ version which remedied these defects.
Knowing that I would exhaust the battery and need to replace it shortly after I started using the tuner for field activity with these defects then frustrating further use of the tuner, I attempted to contact Vibroplex to inquire about exchanging my tuner for the plus version even if I had to incur an added charge to do so. Proactively replacing the tuner would save me time and aggravation by avoiding an inevitable warranty claim. Vibroplex provides a 1-year warranty on the product. This is what then occurred:
1) On 1/2/21, I sent Vibroplex an e-mail setting forth my concerns and requesting an exchange (sent to vibroplex@vibroplex.com as provided on the "Contact Us" web page on the Vibroplex website). I received no response.
2) On 1/7/21, I telephoned Vibroplex (T: 1-865-309-5073, the number noted on the "Contact Us" web page). "Scott" answered. Shortly after I began stating my problem, he hung up. I tried calling him back several times later that day -- to no avail. Each time I received a recorded message providing Vibroplex's hours of operation.
3) On 1/8/21, I sent an e-mail, essentially the same as I sent to Vibroplex, to MAT Tuner and specifically to two contact addresses provided on the MAT Tuner website: mail@mat-tuner.com and bg3mzu@gmail.com). I attached the e-mail I sent to Vibroplex and my sales receipt. No response.
4) On 1/16/21, I re-sent to MAT Tuner my prior 1/8 e-mail to them. No response.
5) On 1/21/21, I telephoned Vibroplex. Scott answered the phone. This time, I explained the defects and my concerns, requested exchange of my 705 tuner for the 705+ version, and stated I would be willing to pay a reasonable charge to cover Vibroplex's time and expense for the exchange. He was not aware of any such defects -- in spite of them having been reported in the press and MAT Tuner having replaced the 705 tuner with the 705+ version which Vibroplex was then advertising on its website. He inquired how much I would be willing to pay. I told him. He did not object and stated he would "contact the manufacturer (MAT Tuner) as Vibroplex was merely the importer", and inquire with them. At his request, I gave him my name and e mail address. He concluded the call stating he would respond back to me with "what the manufacturer will do". No response.
6) On 2/12/21, I once again telephoned Vibroplex. I asked the person who answered that I wanted to talk with someone concerning my MAT-705 tuner. The person responded with "Sure, what question do you have?". Recognizing the person might be Scott, I asked the person for his name. He hung up. As with my 1/21 call to Vibroplex, I tried calling Vibroplex back several times later that day -- to no avail. Each time I received a recorded message providing Vibroplex's hours of operation.
To this day, I have yet to receive any definitive response from Vibroplex or MAT Tuner.
Based on my experience and in my opinion, do NOT purchase any MAT Tuner equipment from Vibroplex. Should you have any problem or concern with the equipment, you are ON YOUR OWN. There is no customer service. The warranty is meaningless.
In formulating a "star" rating for the tuner, I found the 705 tuner works rather well. However, Vibroplex's and MAT Tuner's totally irresponsible attitude and actions, amounting to intentional evasion of its customers and utter avoidance of its responsibilities as a vendor, greatly outweighed any consideration of the tuner's performance. Hence, I accorded the lowest possible rating to the tuner.
Should any further developments arise in the future, I will supplement this review accordingly.