Pieps DSP Pro broken switch

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Originally Posted by ::: :::

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

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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.

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

more tests ^^ this time by Lou Dawson

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.

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.

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Originally Posted by XXX-er

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

more tests ^^ this time by Lou Dawson

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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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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Whoops, beat me to it.

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

^ 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/

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Originally Posted by Meadow Skipper

^ 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/

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

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Originally Posted by doebedoe

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

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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)

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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.

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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

Also submitted a claim today. Fingers crossed.

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Originally Posted by Danno

I can't afford one.

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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.

Danno

he knows a lawyer!

you should jump on that

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

Sent email, waiting on a reply.

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Originally Posted by ::: :::

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

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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

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."

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Originally Posted by durangobrad

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

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

yeah I’m surprised

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

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Originally Posted by DryorDie

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

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https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...er-fire/page14

that thread is more up do date than this one

https://www.pieps.com/dsp/

Pieps is this morning announcing a “Voluntary Product Correction Program” in Europe. This will be followed up by a voluntary recall in the US.

https://youtu.be/ZWeDuzd-QQo

NOTE: this is a harness replacement only

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Originally Posted by ~mikey b

https://youtu.be/ZWeDuzd-QQo

NOTE: this is a harness replacement only

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Lame

Sent from my F1 using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by durangobrad

Lame

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Why lame? This solves the problem by augmenting the useless lock mechanism and keeps functional electronics out of landfills. What's the downside? Minor pain to store it outside the harness?

I think a Pieps engineer got a nice fat bonus for figuring this out. Pretty good solution that is cheaper and less wasteful than replacing the entire beacon. I didn't watch the whole video but I assume they're giving these out for free?

my SnowBrains article about this

I already got replacements for mine but I would have been happy with this solution.

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Originally Posted by total_immortal

I think a Pieps engineer copied some guy's 3D print from Thingiverse and got 5 minutes of respect from management.

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FIFY

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Originally Posted by jono

FIFY

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exactly. I saw this 3d printing solution posted on facebook months ago. They just integrated it into a harness.

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Originally Posted by jono

Why lame? This solves the problem by augmenting the useless lock mechanism and keeps functional electronics out of landfills. What's the downside? Minor pain to store it outside the harness?

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I hate wearing my beacon as a harness. Only buy pants with a beacon pocket. For me, I wouldn't be happy with this solution.

But if there are people that feel it's satisfactory, great.

Sent from my F1 using Tapatalk

that’s my question too...


BD even makes pants with a special Pieps pocket

It looks like the "hip belt" is very minimal, if the shoulder harness could be easily removed then make the entire hard case can go into the pocket with the beacon. Not elegant but better than trashing an otherwise useful device.

i cant possibly be the first one
to think of this?

hippie rig



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Attachment 366050



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jesus...

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Originally Posted by romeo tango

i cant possibly be the first one
to think of this?

hippie rig



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Attachment 366050



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You don't show this to your touring partners, do you?

don’t do that - get a replacement or at least a new harness

to be honest I think the new harness thing is bullshit - I’d want a new beacon


I still have a 40% off code for Mammut if anyone is still looking for something different.

I still use the new DSP Pro, but also Barryvox and BCA T4.

If i toured more, i'd take you up on the code offer -- very generous! i hope someone takes you up on it

the dsp replacements i got will be sufficient for me given the low miles they will see -- i'm not abusing the switches

for anyone putting heavy miles on their units, i agree the harness conversion is another admission of poor engineering on the switch. We'll see a new switch/unit redesign soon, i imagine.

the new DSP switch is better than the old one

but yeah I’ll bet it gets a total redesign soon

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better?

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Attachment 366910
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