Has anyone used Nikon's Kingston service centre

[omohat]

I've just bought a D80 this week. I love the camera (definately a step up from my previous Sony A-100 in terms of handling and build and the viewfinder is a relief) but I've noticed that I've got a hot pixel - it really sticks out on dark backgrounds (bright red dot that can often be seen without zooming in). Ordinarily I'd send it back and replace it with another one, but I'm off on holiday in about a week so I don't want to risk the camera being in the post when I leave (plus no guarantee that the new camera will be better - it seems like hot pixels are common on the D80).

After talking to Nikon's cutomer support I'm planning to take it to their Kingston service centre on Monday. Has anyone used it before? Any idea if they can just remap it there and then or will I have to leave it with them and if so for how long?

 

[Ross]

They offer Nikon professional users a while-u-wait service on stuff like sensor cleaning. They also offer a loan service to pro's

I dont know how much work is involved in remapping sensor pixels but I would guess they would ask you to leave it with them, but phone them to ask

 

[omohat]

I did ask if I could speak to someone in the service department directly but the helldesk person just kept saying that I should send the camera in or bring it in myself. I'm really hoping that they can remap it while I wait (its not a difficult job - my old Sony A-100 used to do it by itself once a month) but even if I need to leave it for a day or 2 thats not the end of the world. Anything longer could get a little tight.