marcus8
Contributor
Hello,
My lady and I both bought the Probe HLC BCDs about 4 years ago. I had a Probe prior to this and was largely happy with it. As soon as I received this model, I could see the weak point was the Integrated Weight system. It seemed quite fragile at the connection point while the rest of the BCD was quite sturdy. I'm aware of the recall for the pouches and it turns out I have the newer, stiffer, grey model so that's not been an issue.
4 years and perhaps 100 comfortable dives in, much less than the prior probe, the connection system has completely come apart. The actual piece that is permanently attached to the BC has come out while setting up for a dive recently. I've had to just stick weights in the pocket as a temp fix just to dive. This is quite disconcerting as I was hoping to get much more mileage out of it. I'm worried it's just a weak aspect of the BCD and my ladies system might be in danger of failing as well in the same manner. It's frustrating as the BC looks new still, functions fine in all other aspects and fits me well.
So my question is....is it possible to get this repaired? Can I ship it somewhere for inspection, evaluated, etc.... ? It's worth it to me to go this route still, rather than buying new, since I feel it has a great deal of life in it still if this IWS is somehow repaired, and made sturdier.
Thanks
Mark
My lady and I both bought the Probe HLC BCDs about 4 years ago. I had a Probe prior to this and was largely happy with it. As soon as I received this model, I could see the weak point was the Integrated Weight system. It seemed quite fragile at the connection point while the rest of the BCD was quite sturdy. I'm aware of the recall for the pouches and it turns out I have the newer, stiffer, grey model so that's not been an issue.
4 years and perhaps 100 comfortable dives in, much less than the prior probe, the connection system has completely come apart. The actual piece that is permanently attached to the BC has come out while setting up for a dive recently. I've had to just stick weights in the pocket as a temp fix just to dive. This is quite disconcerting as I was hoping to get much more mileage out of it. I'm worried it's just a weak aspect of the BCD and my ladies system might be in danger of failing as well in the same manner. It's frustrating as the BC looks new still, functions fine in all other aspects and fits me well.
So my question is....is it possible to get this repaired? Can I ship it somewhere for inspection, evaluated, etc.... ? It's worth it to me to go this route still, rather than buying new, since I feel it has a great deal of life in it still if this IWS is somehow repaired, and made sturdier.
Thanks
Mark