Should I buy a a Vario Zip-on ABS pack

[devon]

Considering buying two of these used for my kids. What’s the general opinion on these packs. Seems like they are a few years old.

[gregL]

Check to see if you can actually get the compressed nitrogen cylinders refilled somewhere near you (and for the foreseeable future). ABS has gone from being an industry leader to a struggling outlier in the past few years due to recall and financial problems.

[XavierD]

Pretty sure ABS has filed for bankruptcy. Act accordingly.

[TAHOEDOWN]

I've been on the vario system for three seasons or so.
Pro's:
The ability to swap bags. I've got four different bags of different volumes that take less than a minute to switch. You can typically get a new bag for well under $100.
Removable handle
Seems to work as intended
Good ergonomics. I don't like the bags with the oversized top where the bag is stored.

Con's
You can't just go fill up a cylinder. You have to source both a new cylinder and handle together that are kind of pricey.
NA shops that carry ABS are hard to find and getting rare. I have an extra cylinder and handle so I don't have to go without in case of deployment.

I've had a warranty issue which was handled quickly and efficiently with a new base unit arriving in about a week. New cylinders and handles also take about a week. If you go the ABS route and have any issues, contact Cedric in Quebec at ced.laffont@abs-airbag.ca. Super fast response time and great to deal with.