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  #1  
Old 10-17-2019, 06:15 AM
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Default Sticky Zoom H5

I’ve not used my Zoom H5 in a few months and pulled it out last night to record something. I noticed the entire outer rubberized housing now has a sticky feel to it. Thinking something had gotten on it, I tried to clean it with simply a damp paper towel (a bit of water) and it got worse!

If I can’t resolve this, the unit is practically useless to me as it’s not pleasant at all to handle in its current condition. I’ve seen this happen before on old components that have a similar outer housing but this unit is only a few years old and certainly Zoom would not intend for that happen if they want to keep customers.

Anyone had their Zoom units experience a similar issue?
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Old 10-17-2019, 06:39 AM
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I searched online and apparently a common issue. I saw one forum where AGF’er Fran Guidry had a similar issue and Zoom replaced his unit and several other folks reached out to Zoom with same result so I have done the same. Stay tuned.

FWIW, several folks did have some success but their solutions did not sound long term. Several suggested talcum powder, a couple had success with isopropyl alcohol, and one had success with Pledge. Seems like those may be short term solutions and the issue will come back.
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Old 10-17-2019, 11:14 AM
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Contacted Zoom via their website and got an answer within 2 hours. They will replace the unit free of charge.

That’s what I call outstanding customer service.
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Old 10-17-2019, 11:17 AM
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What the heck? Does the Zoom H6 use this same rubberized housing too?
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Old 10-17-2019, 11:42 AM
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Yeah, it's a problem with the H6, and mine got that way about 5 years in. Wish I'd contacted Zoom about it, but I was selling it anyway. Everything else worked flawlessly, and the various "fixes" really didn't "stick" so to speak. I didn't handle it much, as it was usually mounted on a small desktop tripod, but it was a little annoying.

I wonder if they've changed the material in the newly manufactured ones?
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Old 10-17-2019, 12:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keith.rogers View Post
I wonder if they've changed the material in the newly manufactured ones?
For their own sake's I really hope so, I'd imagine having to replace all the sticky ones for customers Is taking quite a hefty toll on their income
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Old 10-18-2019, 09:26 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LemonCats View Post
For their own sake's I really hope so, I'd imagine having to replace all the sticky ones for customers Is taking quite a hefty toll on their income
Hi LC

Given people's propensity to post issues, and having never seen this issue before and given the H5 H6 have been with us a long time, I doubt it's one of those major deal breaker issues.

Especially since Zoom is apparently prepared to stand behind their products and replace defective ones.



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Old 10-18-2019, 08:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ljguitar View Post
Hi LC

Given people's propensity to post issues, and having never seen this issue before and given the H5 H6 have been with us a long time, I doubt it's one of those major deal breaker issues.

Especially since Zoom is apparently prepared to stand behind their products and replace defective ones.



I did not mean to be a troublemaker, was initially hoping someone had an easy fix but everything I tried either did nothing or made it worse. Perhaps I should have internet searched first but given so many users and fans here of the H5/H6, I thought it would be a good start. It was great that Zoom responded so fast. The sticky unit is now with UPS and on the way back to Zoom.

BTW, Zoom calls the sticky condition “hydrolysis”.
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Old 10-18-2019, 09:34 PM
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My H5 is not quite 2 years old. Does this happen to all of them?
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Old 10-19-2019, 07:10 AM
Vindellama Vindellama is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SprintBob View Post
I did not mean to be a troublemaker, was initially hoping someone had an easy fix but everything I tried either did nothing or made it worse. Perhaps I should have internet searched first but given so many users and fans here of the H5/H6, I thought it would be a good start. It was great that Zoom responded so fast. The sticky unit is now with UPS and on the way back to Zoom.

BTW, Zoom calls the sticky condition “hydrolysis”.
Yes...
This sort of thing usually happens to any rubber material over time.
The best way to postpone this process is to keep it in a well ventilated place(the case doesn't help either).
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Old 10-19-2019, 10:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SprintBob View Post
I did not mean to be a troublemaker, was initially hoping someone had an easy fix but everything I tried either did nothing or made it worse. Perhaps I should have internet searched first but given so many users and fans here of the H5/H6, I thought it would be a good start. It was great that Zoom responded so fast. The sticky unit is now with UPS and on the way back to Zoom.

BTW, Zoom calls the sticky condition “hydrolysis”.
Hi SB

I don't think you were being a troublemaker. And, I'm glad you are having it replaced.

My answer was in response to Lemon Cat's post not yours.



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Old 10-19-2019, 02:20 PM
Fran Guidry Fran Guidry is offline
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The coating on the replacement unit seems a bit different from the original H6 coating, hopefully it will not have the sticky issue in the future.

Fran
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  #13  
Old 11-03-2019, 09:18 PM
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Received my replacement H5 and the outer housing is no longer a hard rubber, it is now a dark grey plastic. Should never get sticky. Looks like Zoom has solved this problem and is standing behind any of the older units having the same issue mine and others had.
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  #14  
Old 11-29-2019, 05:15 PM
Bigredhog Bigredhog is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vindellama View Post
Yes...
This sort of thing usually happens to any rubber material over time.
The best way to postpone this process is to keep it in a well ventilated place(the case doesn't help either).
This hasn’t been my experience. I had three Hercules guitar stands in a well ventilated area do this and a few other items with the same problem the latest was my umbrella handle. Not sure what exactly the rubberized material is but it is junk so far hasn’t happened to my Zoom. I do have older item that pre 2000 where this has not happened.
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