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I just received my "first" HP-42S from an eBay seller who, as far as I can tell, photoshopped out all of the scratches in the display from the 10 or so photos displayed in the ad. Clearly buyers were purposely deceived from doctored photos. Fortunately she's agreed to the return plus to pay for all shipping charges.

Now my question ... are scratches on the display something I should be overly concerned about ... from a collecting point of view? Since the scratch appears to be in a thin plastic film (maybe?) over glass is it this something that could be repaired? Or perhaps these displays are not covered by an plastic at all and so my scratches are embedded in the glass.

I don't think any Pioneers had glass. AFAIK the early mid- and high-end models had a separate plastic cover with a small gap in between it and the plastic LCD screen, while the low-end and later high-end models had the LCD screen directly exposed to touch.

Edited: 5 Mar 2011, 10:23 a.m. after one or more responses were posted

That auct5ion site taAkes very seriously any deceit. It isn't rare or valuable, demand a refund. Sam

I can clearly see the scratches in photo 8 and a little in photo 5. Since that 42S model is anti-reflective, it's likely that the other perspectives do not show it clearly. (The aluminum bezel scratches are a good guide for where to look on the display.) I agree the seller could have added a few words about the screen scratches, but I see no evidence to suggest the seller photoshoped or culled photos to hide the scratches.

The lower price you paid relative to other 42S from the same seller recently suggest she had already accounted for either the bezel damage/screen damage or both.

I (Ebay ID: hudendai) have no connection the completed sale discussed above or the seller thereof.

FWIW from a what can be done standpoint - it depends on the version of Pioneer.

The original "flat" bezel (my terminology) has a window in front of the LCD and is the same arrangement as the Voyagers that preceded them. The window has a metalized coating, again, same as the Voyagers. The LCD is a glossy, reflective finish. Scratches would obviously be in the outer window only and there is little you could do without damaging the metalization. Replacement of the window is from the back of the faceplate so it would require that the keyboard backing plate be removed which requires removal of all the heat stakes or that the faceplate is peeled off from the front. IMO, I consider neither a viable option so scratches on a flat bezel unit are there for life.

The later "stepped" bezel design exposes the LCD to the user. Any scratches here are on the LCD polarizer directly. These LCD's can swapped out to be rid of the scratches.

FWIW, early 1990 date code Pioneers, soon after the change in mechanical design, had glossy polarizers, I guess they were using up existing stock. Some time in 1990 or 91, they changed to a matte finish LCD to reduce glare. While in theory, you could polish scratches out of a matte LCD, you'll end up with a glossy polarizer. Overall, I've had minimal luck in polishing out scratches in LCD's so in general, while expensive, I recommend outright replacement of the LCD.