Exactly...I had the same experience. they are great for 3 months then fall flat. I changed to SPS brand ( Garrett) and loved the color, lasted longer 8-9 months and was still less than a Phoenix. I am now running a Phoenix and growth is stable, color is less pleasing to my eye than the SPS and it seems to last as long or longer that the SPS brand. I wont' go back to Plusright. They are cheap all the way around.