Transmitter Recall

[MelasLithos]

Hi, I have been having quite a case on conscience today regarding this recall, and I hope that fellow divers of Scubaboard can help, as I have found was the case in the past.

I was at the dive shop yesterday for a course, and met a new OW student, who was packing all the new dive gear he had just bought. In the lot was a Suunto transmitter. We were on the way to the pool, I was focused on other things, and it didn't really clicked in my mind yesterday, but this morning, it did. So I warned the OW student about the recall, and even though he got his transmitter yesterday, after the recall had been made, I still recommended him to check with the dive shop about it and make sure he had an upgraded one (I know how things can sometimes go in China...).

He came back to me this evening rather worried, and not satisfied with the answer of the dive shop, which was "don't worry, you have the new one. BTW, how did you learn about that? Don't tell anyone about it". Of course, to make matters worse, Suunto's website is apparently not accessible in China, and he couldn't find much info about it on the Chinese web.

I have always had good dealings with the shop in the past, although not with the persons he was in contact with (I'm more used to the foreign staff, when he has been dealing with the Chinese staff. For having spoken with the foreign staff, I know there are some differences and disagreement in methodology). Since I believe it is important to trust one's gear, and the dive shop's answer has apparently made him even more worried, I plucked the address of the Suunto Service Center from the Suunto website for him (I have a VPN and can access it), and recommended him to give them a call tomorrow, or even better, go there and check his transmitter with them.

He also sent me a few pics of his transmitter, but since I do not own one, I have no idea how the old ones look compared to the upgraded ones. I'm uploading the pictures here in case some of you can tell from them if those are part of the recall or have already been upgraded? I would be really thankful of any help you can give.

Also, if you have any recommendations on how to deal with this situation and other advises to give this new diver, I am listening.

Thanks.

 

[GreggS]

According to the product number, this transmitter IS included in the recall. The product number is one of the two specifically noted in the recall notice.

He should get in touch with Suunto or a different authorized reseller.

 

[cmrangel]

Any transmitter bought before July 6, 2017 is impacted. All upgraded transmitters (including new ones) have an etched "O" on the plastic housing. Some more info (in addition to Suunto website)
Suunto 2017 Transmitter & POD Recall | Simply Scuba Blog

 

[MelasLithos]

Thanks guys!

That diver got his transmitter on the 9/7/2017, but I don't see any etched O nor air flow restrictor on the pictures he sent me, but they might not show everything. I'll ask him to check for these.

 

[Schwob]

Thanks guys!

That diver got his transmitter on the 9/7/2017, but I don't see any etched O nor air flow restrictor on the pictures he sent me, but they might not show everything. I'll ask him to check for these.

I presume a sale date is only meaningful with dealers that purge their old stock and return it to Suunto. Any such things may not mean much with a "don't worry about it" dealer. The marks mean more. Especially if not easily faked. Why would anyone do that? No idea, but for profit, strange reasons and sometimes no profit margin at all, just convenience, things do get faked... It's a bit scary at times. In general terms, not necessarily scuba specific, but there of course is no extra protection for scuba items either. If the dealer already spoke a half truth or worse to the customer, it might, if possible, be good to get the pod back to Suunto directly for rework or exchange.

 

[MelasLithos]

For now, I am chalking up all this issue to a communication issue and lack of information. Indeed, this morning, the dive shop has apparently been asking much more questions about the recall, what was happening, the issue, what should be changed, etc, and I supplied all screenshot of different websites and the email I received from Sunto. It seems they were not as well informed about this subject as they pretended (as mentionned, Suunto website - and several others as well - is not accessible without a VPN, and maybe other issues?). Last news I got, they were going to try to call and coordinate directly with Suunto to see what to do.

Anyways, there also was a mistake in the order of this new diver. He needs the Suunto Pod (because he bought and Eon Steel), and got the Suunto wireless transmitter instead. The shop is going to change that for him and I hope that this time, they will make sure that it is an upgraded model. Let's see how this unfolds.

 

[Jordanc88]

Sent my pod in on Thursday received email Monday at 7:40pm et saying it had Ben upgraded and on its way back to me in fl

 

[cmrangel]

Some pics showing the "O" and the flow restrictor

20170711_182644__1

• cmrangel
• Jul 11, 2017

20170711_182657__1

• cmrangel
• Jul 11, 2017

 

[MelasLithos]

Thanks for the pics.

My friend is going to get his transmitter changed for a Pod next week, and at least, he will know what to look for on the Pod to make sure it's an upgraded one.

He called Suunto, and apparently, the upgraded transmitters/replacement parts haven't made it to China yet, which explains the delays. We hope they will be here next week.

 

[Streydog]

Sent my pod in on Thursday received email Monday at 7:40pm et saying it had Ben upgraded and on its way back to me in fl

Well that's good news, I didn't think they would be turned around that quickly.