Pieps DSP Pro broken switch

[3PinGrin]

I'm thinking I will jump on that if ex agrees (her beacon/cash).

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Danno]

BD seems to be completely inconsistent. Someone on FB had a 4 year old beacon, no extended warranty, and got offered a free replacement. Why isn't there a consistent response?

[::: :::]

I wonder if there’s differentiation between places of purchase
ie paying full freight from an official dealer vs an eBay seller or an outlet resale

i bought from backcountry outlet (dept of goods) & am a little worried that it will be disregarded as invalid, despite backcountry being a proper reseller

the other thought about differentiation is being able to substantiate the purchase...not everyone keeps records [tho it’s easier now with online purchasing]. Maybe no proof of purchase results in less of a chance at replacement?

also, could be how strenuously the claim is stated when submitted...

[Wawawa]

BD seems to be completely inconsistent. Someone on FB had a 4 year old beacon, no extended warranty, and got offered a free replacement. Why isn't there a consistent response?

I wonder if there’s differentiation between places of purchase
...
also, could be how strenuously the claim is stated when submitted...

Seems this could be the case. Also it's early days and maybe there's not a consistent policy yet.

I first e-mailed dsp@pieps.com about my <2yo beacon, got a reply, but when I followed up they told me to file a claim with BD because I was in North America. So I filed a claim via BD's website, politely stated my reservations about the switch and inquired about the trade-up policy, and I haven't heard sh!t back. Seems some people are already getting return labels. Maybe it's worth it to go in guns blazing?? Shouldn't be necessary since Pieps unequivocally stated that upgrades would be offered.

[::: :::]

Seems this could be the case. Also it's early days and maybe there's not a consistent policy yet.

I first e-mailed dsp@pieps.com about my <2yo beacon, got a reply, but when I followed up they told me to file a claim with BD because I was in North America. So I filed a claim via BD's website, politely stated my reservations about the switch and inquired about the trade-up policy, and I haven't heard sh!t back. Seems some people are already getting return labels. Maybe it's worth it to go in guns blazing?? Shouldn't be necessary since Pieps unequivocally stated that upgrades would be offered.

Yep, i’m waiting too. Be patient. I’m sure they’ve got quite a few requests to deal with. I’ll follow up if it becomes a week, but a few days seems reasonable.

i do also wonder what their re-design/new product cycle is...not sure I want a replacement of current tech if it gets redesigned soon or already has been & just hasn’t been released

[Wawawa]

i do also wonder what their re-design/new product cycle is...not sure I want a replacement of current tech if it gets redesigned soon or already has been & just hasn’t been released

Caveat that this is obviously uninformed speculation, but I don't expect any new products coming down the pipe anytime soon. Current gen (BT) was only released in 2018. The previous gen (Pro/Sport) came out in 2013, so it had a 5-year lifecycle, the prior gen to that had a 10-year run, and the outgoing gen. of Barryvox had an 11-year run, so the BT line might not be planned for replacement until at least 2023. Since the switch issues are not with the current gen, I wouldn't necessarily expect them to accelerate their development cycle even in light of the last two weeks. If anything, maybe the financial hit of having to replace all those old beacons may delay development of the next gen.

[XXX-er]

https://www.wildsnow.com/28500/test-...he/#more-28500

more tests ^^ this time by Lou Dawson

[dcpnz]

I’ve got two dsp’s purchased 4 yrs ago and registered for the extended warranty thru 12/2021.
Haven’t reached out to BD yet and will probably just wait for it all to shake out a bit but based on the posts above I’m probably ok with a $100 upgrade cost. Naturally if I had newer beacons I might feel differently.

[abraham]

So from Lou's post it looks like the distance to free the latch is about 20 mil, so 4 times what was in the other video but still not very much.

[3PinGrin]

https://www.wildsnow.com/28500/test-...he/#more-28500

more tests ^^ this time by Lou Dawson

Interesting that Lou's method is finding it takes about .5mm (or ~ .02 inches) distance to disengage the switch, vs the other test which was finding .005 inches (or ~ .13mm). I wonder if there is that much variability in how much pressure is required based on a more heavily used unit vs newer etc. or if the disparity is due to different methodologies. Would it disengage easier with repeated use I wonder (aside from a potential cracking issue). Either way, crappy design on the switch IMO. But it sounds like they at least have come up with a better solution for the Guide BT. I noticed that it slides perpendicular to the unit vs just a downward press like the older versions.

So from Lou's post it looks like the distance to free the latch is about 20 mil, so 4 times what was in the other video but still not very much.

Whoops, beat me to it.

[~mikey b]

just realized I never registered my warranty replacement unit

Pieps app shows I bought it 01/2017

returned 06/2019


glad I bought a couple new units before you beaters put in your warranty requests

[Meadow Skipper]

^ They’re still for sale if you want them.

This one (DPS!) was used, went yesterday for >$180, plus shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PIEPS-DPS-S...97.m4902.l9144

Then there’s always STP.
https://www.sierra.com/pieps-pro-bt-...piece~p~14fhy/
https://www.sierra.com/pieps-iprobe-...piece~p~14fhw/

[doebedoe]

^ They’re still for sale if you want them.

This one (DSP!) was used, went yesterday for >$180, plus shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PIEPS-DPS-S...97.m4902.l9144

Then there’s always STP.
https://www.sierra.com/pieps-pro-bt-...piece~p~14fhy/
https://www.sierra.com/pieps-iprobe-...piece~p~14fhw/

Neither of the STP ones are the bad design, they are the new BT versions with an updated switch.

[Meadow Skipper]

Neither of the STP ones are the bad design, they are the new BT versions with an updated switch.

Ah, I didn’t look very closely.

[::: :::]

Tonight, I got a return label for the DSP Sport with the message others got (mine is older than 2yrs but in extended warranty)

For users of the DSP Sport and DSP Pro beacons, we will undertake a thorough inspection of your beacon and, regardless of what we conclude, offer you the chance to upgrade your beacon through our tiered trade-in program. Users with Beacons purchased over two years ago are eligible to buy-up to another beacon model at the below rates:

Pieps Powder BT: $100.00 USD
Pieps Micro BT or Micro Sensor: $125.00 USD
Pieps Pro BT: $150.00 USD

Attached to this email is a pre-paid shipping label for you to send in your beacon for inspection and upgrade. Please clearly label the outside of the return package with RA#xxxx. Once we receive your beacon, we will contact you regarding a replacement. If you have any questions in the meantime, please call our product specialists directly at 800-775-5552.

I’ll call tomorrow to ask how the 5yr warranty figures in this

Re: timing, i sent my warranty requests Fri morning — response emails received Mon eve

[margotron]

Also submitted a claim today. Fingers crossed.

[Speedfreak]

I can't afford one.

Shouldn't be any cost involved.

Not sure what state you're in or how serious you are, but I know a long-time mag (who will remain nameless for obv reasons) that (1) does the product liability stuff and (2) is pretty pissed about this situation as well.

[~mikey b]

Danno

he knows a lawyer!

you should jump on that

[Speedfreak]

Just throwing it out there in case he was serious [eyeroll]

[kootenayskier]

Sent email, waiting on a reply.

[durangobrad]

Tonight, I got a return label for the DSP Sport with the message others got (mine is older than 2yrs but in extended warranty)

I’ll call tomorrow to ask how the 5yr warranty figures in this

Re: timing, i sent my warranty requests Fri morning — response emails received Mon eve

I filed my claim Friday, got the response yesterday afternoon.

My beacon is almost 5 years old and I recently registered with pieps to extend the warranty to 5 years. Good until 12/25/2020.

I got the same email except they said it will be upgraded for free.

Sent from my F1 using Tapatalk

[Wawawa]

I filed with BD last week, and got a reply and FedEx label on Monday. Beacon was purchased <2 years ago, and the email from BD claims a free replacement:

"For users of the DSP Sport and DSP Pro beacons, we will undertake a thorough inspection of your beacon and, regardless of what we conclude, we will send you a free replacement from our current beacon family. Attached to this email is a pre-paid shipping label for you to send in your beacon for inspection and upgrade. Please clearly label the outside of the return package with RA xxxxxx. Once we receive your beacon, we will contact you regarding a replacement."

[Danno]

I filed my claim Friday, got the response yesterday afternoon.

My beacon is almost 5 years old and I recently registered with pieps to extend the warranty to 5 years. Good until 12/25/2020.

I got the same email except they said it will be upgraded for free.

Sent from my F1 using Tapatalk

it is so bizarre that they have no consistency on this.

[~mikey b]

yeah I’m surprised

[DryorDie]

Have you guys heard anything back from BD yet? I just submitted my claim. Hopefully they can expedite the upgrade.