Pieps IPS recall 2024

[~mikey b]

https://www.pieps.com/en/2024-pieps-pro-ips-recall/

Recall: PIEPS Pro IPS

PIEPS and Black Diamond are issuing a recall on the PIEPS Pro IPS avalanche transceiver sold between October 1, 2023 and November 22, 2024 due to an issue with the size of the battery compartment. PIEPS Pro IPS owners should immediately stop using it and follow the recall procedures.

Due to a loss of contact in the battery compartment if used with AAA (LR03) batteries at the lower end of allowable dimensions, the transceiver may not turn on, or may be inadvertently turn o? if it is impacted or jarred. If this were to occur before or during an avalanche, the device may fail to function correctly or turn o?, making it more di?cult or impossible to locate a victim and potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

To date, the company has received just one single report from an affected consumer with no accidents, injuries, or fatalities associated with this issue.

?**Visit the link in our bio for more information, to initiate the return process, and/or to contact our customer service team with any and all questions and comments.**

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this recall.

[rudy]

That didn't take long. I had an issue witht the last one after they replaced it via the intial recal and the just declined my warranty with no real explanation and refused any recourse. Done with Pieps/DB for beacons. They did replace 2 broken poles under warranty so I have that going for me...

[~mikey b]

US

https://www.blackdiamondequipment.co...ro-ips-recall/

[tang]

I'm worried that companies are going to get out of the beacon business. Curious how costly these recalls are

[ktoor]

yikessss. this is bad right? this seems pretty bad.


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[Jason4]

yikessss. this is bad right? this seems pretty bad.


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Part of the AIARE curriculum is a brief mention to use name brand batteries with the expectation that they have more consistent dimensional tolerances because of exactly this issue. I think it’s bad that a company didn’t learn that this was a previously known problem (perhaps their lawyers advised that they don’t document known problems as part of their development process to prevent it from being discoverable) and it’s bad if they don’t treat the customers with respect during the recall. It’s remarkable how different BD has been on these transceiver recalls compared to Mammut and BCA. Also, in my day job we consistently run into issues in NA that “have not been observed in Europe”.

[Eastside]

I sent my two back. It doesn't bother me too much as I imagine they will fix it just fine. Nowadays, everything is usb-c rechargeable or dual fuel. I wonder why they don't go that route. Not really related the the Pieps issue, just thinking.

[coldfeet]

Part of the AIARE curriculum is a brief mention to use name brand batteries with the expectation that they have more consistent dimensional tolerances because of exactly this issue.

I posted in another Pieps thread this link:
https://beaconreviews.com/recall_Ortovox_M2.php
about when a similar thing happened with the Ortovox M2. One of the offenders at that time was Kodak-branded batteries that were on the US GSA supplier list. I know "Kodak" is likely a rebranded battery, but it is a bit more reputable than random-name-Amazon-special. I have a can of half-used AA and AAA batteries on my desk (not for beacons obviously), and indeed there is some variance and Kodaks were shorter than Duracell/Energizer.

Clearly beacon makers should be aware of this shit because it has happened several times, but I also feel a little bad for the engineer who has to design for all possible shitty AA or AAA batteries that someone might buy on the internet to put in a device that needs to stay on while being tumbled like a washing machine, or worse.

[goldenboy]

I posted in another Pieps thread this link:
https://beaconreviews.com/recall_Ortovox_M2.php
about when a similar thing happened with the Ortovox M2. One of the offenders at that time was Kodak-branded batteries that were on the US GSA supplier list. I know "Kodak" is likely a rebranded battery, but it is a bit more reputable than random-name-Amazon-special. I have a can of half-used AA and AAA batteries on my desk (not for beacons obviously), and indeed there is some variance and Kodaks were shorter than Duracell/Energizer.

Clearly beacon makers should be aware of this shit because it has happened several times, but I also feel a little bad for the engineer who has to design for all possible shitty AA or AAA batteries that someone might buy on the internet to put in a device that needs to stay on while being tumbled like a washing machine, or worse.

That link you posted actually mentioned Energizer being the original culprit. It seems like it should be pretty easy to have the negative end as a spring, like lots of electrical devices, rather than a force fit with zero tolerance for slight battery length discrepancies. And then there's the power boost thing.

Who knew battery purchases were so hard.