The real problem with UK's Light Cannon...

[The Chairman]

I do not feel like an extreme diver... heck I am far more conservative than most I know. I do love having light with me, and at FIRST I loved my Light Cannon...

I got it last December as a "present" to myself. Heck, I deserved one and I needed the light, and the salesman told the bulb would last for thousands of hours!!! $200 bucks from Divers Outlet (Diver's Direct) on I Drive.

So I am going to Paradise springs and I get it out... it won't turn on. "Dang, needs batteries" says I and I get some just before I head out. I put the batteries in and still no light. I check the orientation and all... I did it right... just no light. I was diving with the former manager of the LDS where I almost bought it (they were out, which is why I went to Diver's Outlet) and of course I ragged him about selling me such a defective light. He assured me that I would be taken care of at his old store... and then I told him where/why I bought the durn thing.

So, I am over in the I-Drive area yesterday afternoon and stopped over at Diver's Discount to see what would happen. The first response was lets put in some batteries and when that did not light is it was "no problem" here is a new light... all I wanted was to get my old handle (as they only had the pistol grip). Well a few moments later he comes back up, and says let me try something else... "no problem" I said as I watched him walk to the back. I followed a second or so later and as I got there I saw that they had taken the bulb out of the new light and put it into the old light. Walla... there was light, but now they wanted to charge me for an $80.00 bulb and the first guy was cracking jokes about it. I asked if they were "sure" and the one guy said let me go check with the manufacturer... two-three minutes (maybe less) he was back and said "No, they don't cover the bulb at all." Then he told the other guy to keep the old bulb with the new light... I paid for my $80.00 bulb. Throughout the transaction the clerk kept asking me to be "more gentle" with the light as it is soooooo fragile. He told me how to light it correctly (which was how I do light it) and how I must have done this or that. I must admit that I was fuming with each and every accusation. As we finished the transaction, what was happening became apparent... I asked for my old bulb back. "It has to stay with the light, sir". "No, I paid for a bulb, I want my old bulb back!" "Good point, I will get the bulb..." He muttered something else as he walked away but I did not hear it.

Now put yourselves in my shoes... how would view this transaction... what do you think about a light with such an expensive bulb that has little warranty.

BTW, I checked with the other LDS, and found that the bulb DOES come with a 30 day warranty. Which is more than the guy who "called" the manufacturrer said. Why do I feel like I was deceived?

 

[Zept]

Have you thought about ringing UK directly? Their Web site promises "up to 1000 hour lamp life". Have you put in 1,000 hours of diving since last December? I know you're keen, but, hmm, doubt you've managed that many dives.

The reason I suggest this is that Princeton Tec replaced a light for me even though I thought the flood was entirely my fault (in fact it wasn't, but that's a story for another time). I get the impression that the light manufacturers do stand behind their products. Worth a try, anyway.

Zept

 

[Genesis]

but that's if dropped - they BREAK!

If yours didn't BREAK then I wouldn't bet that it was actually bad.

Did you try putting the supposed-bad-bulb back in and see if it works now?

 

[GearHead]

Sorry NetDoc, you deserve better treatment than that. The bad news is that those bulbs are notoriously fragile, and as you can attest, expensive. I recommend you do whatever you need to do, either with UK, or the shop manager, and get your 80 bucks back. If you're within the 30 days, there's no way you should be shelling out for a new one.

 

[cybordolphin]

You were sccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrreeewwwwd!

That is an outrage. Call and speak to a manager of that store. If you can't get any result.... speak to HIS/HER manager..... all the way to the top of that company.

That is absolutely rediculous. Another reason I can not stand buying other than online. I hate dealing with the sales "punk".
Further.... I can ALWAYS simply call my credit card company and dispute/cancel the transaction (they can kiss their money goodbye), in the event something like what you mentioned could/would ever happen.

Which leads me to my next very strong suggestion. Did you pay using a credit card? If so.. contact your credit card company and have them deny the transaction. Your credit card company will always back you in the event you have been taken advantage of.
This is a CLASSIC case of being taken advantage of.

YOU did not damage that bulb. There is no reason for the clerk (use that term VERY loosly) to pretend to know that. If you have the OLD bulb...... keep it. You may need it later down the road when you are getting this all straightened out.

The manufacturer of the light would I am certain further stand behind you as well. In fact I could pretty much guarantee you a new light.

I am sure they "caught" you at a weak moment (can happen), when you did not feel up to yelling profanities at those two clerks (by the way you should never have had to).... I think we have all let something like this happen to us. In a hurry, not in the mood to hassle, etc.. BUT..... do not let this just lie. PLEASE make some calls and get your $$ back on that bulb at the VERY least.

Let us know how you make out. And make sure to do something about this. What happened to you is VERY wrong. That bulb was not "broken" from the sounds of it anyway... and indeed is supposed to perform longer than it did for you.

 

[seabass]

My credit card company also has 90 day insurance protection on anything that I buy with it. You might want to check to see if you are covered in that way. The insurance protection is for lost, stolen or broken.

 

[GP]

Ouch...that's a sour deal.:upset:

 

[wetman]

I have mixed feelings about those lights. My buddy and i both have one, and both of us went through 1 bulb within the first year of having them. My second bulb didnt work the first time i put it in - the shop even sent the whole unit back and that bulb turned out to be defective. The price of those bulbs is a rip off but they have you so what are you going to do. I just wish it wasnt so bright so i didn't like it so much.

I typically talk most people who ask out of buying them just because the bulbs are so pricey.

steve

 

[earl]

Those lights are nice, at least if you only see them under water. They also seem inexpensive, until you own one. A friend purchased one; a week later, he dropped it <10 inches onto a mattress in a hotel. First dead light bulb, out $80. Two weeks later, the light developed this weird condition where it would turn on, stay on for 20 seconds, and click back off. Out another bulb. A month or so later, it started again. This time, he insisted it be sent back to the manufacturer; a month for the LDS to get it back. They claimed the bulb was bad, so he paid for it to be replaced. He took it outside, and it still had the same problem. He doesn't know what he is going to do; in the space of 3 months he has had it working like 3 weeks and spent more on bulbs than on the light.

Frankly, if you want that quality light, buy one of Halcyons. More expensive up front, but I haven't heard of them breaking if you look at them wrong.

-earl-

 

[ScubaDawg2]

NETDOC,

You certainly did get "da bone" on that deal.. Sorry to hear that.

I have a Light Cannon and love it. I mean that I really "LOVE IT". Nice and gentle to it ALL the time. Even has its own carrying case. I guess I will have to give it a name next. Maybe "Marge". What do you think???? LOL!

Dang bulbs need to come down in price.

Hope you have better luck in the future.

--dawg