I'm with the consensus here. Oceanic, and the other manuf's on the site, are taking an initiative to get feedback and gain product interest by being on a public forum. They're not utilizing the Funnel Effect to get as many in as possible and hope that a few will remain loyal customers. They're relying on the Tunnel Effect where they allow customers to be drawn to their products and retain nearly all of them as loyal customers by maintaing quality and problem resolution.
This can only be accomplished through continuing research, like the Betaware offered as a demo for us to give feedback on, new products, customer awareness, and problem solving by both the customer and the manuf.
I'm new to the Oceanic line and it will take time for me to become fully immersed in their product line, but I'm seeing features and quality that are well researched and based on customer input. Look at all the features in their new dive computers or better yet, their women's BCDs that have the sliders at the bottom of the shoulder straps to accomodate different bust sizes and comfort.
Sometimes going public with some information is the only way to get the attention of a manufacturer. In diving, it's an issue where product failures with a brand new item can cause extreme levels of legal liability. Of course they will want the issue resolved quickly. Heck, I'd even want the gear back in my manuf. facility to inspect it in the tech shop to see what caused the issue, then discuss it with the LDS that sold the item as well as the customer that purchased it.
