UWATEC Smart Series: Voluntary Recall

[Genesis]

"Voluntary" recalls don't have the CPSC monitoring complience.

It may be "voluntary" in name, but the definition of voluntary for this recall probably included "if you don't do this, and do it our way, we will make your life a living hell!" from the CPSC

I love how the truth gets defined these days.

 

[Brules]

HAHAHHA Funny that you point that out Genisis!!!

On a local AM talk radio show today, they had THE President of the CPSC on the show!!!! He was here in OKC for something or the other, was really interesting to hear him talk.

One FUNNY statement he made was when asked about *Voluntary* recalls, he replied "there is no such thing, I like to call them *COOPERATIVE* recalls, since if they don't do it, we will make them do it. They aren't doing it because they want to most of the time, it is usually at our insistance". Not a direct quote per se, but pretty close.

Very interesting to say the least.

Brules

 

[JDostal]

cstreu1026 once bubbled...
I wonder if my LDS owner will trade my Nnew and improved smart pro (when it arrives) for a Suunto computer since it was his recomendation that I buy the thing.

Truthfully, I have been happy with the thing. I have had no problems and find it very easy to operate, but this will be a very big inconvience to me if I have to be with out it for 3 months.

I really don't want another one myself...I'm hoping to get store credit for mine.

 

[gheeres]

SmartCom... Here's my experience...

I got a new SmartCom when they first came out. Paid a bundle for it...but I was excited. I was previously diving an Aladin Air (good, stable, rock-solid computer) but was disappointed at the lack of Nitrox support and no temperature. The SmartCom was the answer....or so I thought.

Within a few weeks of getting my new SmartCom, I was diving with a group of friends...all suited up...get in the water...take one final look at my computer and it reads E8. No matter what I did...the computer was locked up. Obviously upset, I aborted the dive so I could go see if I could maybe interact with it using the laptop which I had brought along. Nothing. Unfortunately I had loaned by original Aladin Air to a friend who was diving that day...so I was without a computer and did not want to be an indian giver...besides he was new to diving and I wanted him to have a good time. A whole day of diving wasted...

So back it goes to the LDS who calls the rep who says to send it back in. They're not sure what it is. The LDS owner gives me one of the other ones...the one that he had actually reserved for his own personal use.

So as I'm diving with this new 2nd computer, I notice that the RBT based on cylinder pressure is not working. Hmm...not a terrible problem...but when you pay that much money for something...you expect it to work as advertised. Informed the local dive shop who contacted the rep again. Within a month or so a new replacement computer showed up for my original one that failed. So I gave back the 2nd faulty computer to be sent back.

This 3rd computer worked for a while and it seems as though my curse was over. It wasn't until this winter when I was getting ready to do some ice dives that I experienced another problem. Sure enough...right before I was ready to dive I did a gauge check and there was that familiar E8 error. Luckily I had gotten into the habit of diving both my old Aladin Air and the new SmartCom. So I just did the dive.

So once again the LDS owner called the rep who was once again surprised...but even more so that this was the second time that a computer had given the E8 error for me after having been replaced. The rep said that E8 usually meant that the high pressure transducer had gone. It was a very unlikely component to fail. And it had failed on me twice.

At this point, I was frustrated and told the LDS owner that I didn't want the computer. I wanted store credit . 3 strikes and you're out. He wasn't sure if he could do that, he'd talk to the rep. Well a few weeks or so later my computer comes back. This time they sent back the original computer with the old case. The computer sat on the back shelf of the LDS for about a month, since I really didn't care to use it...or even want it. A few weeks ago, the LDS owner happened to pickup the unit and it was leaking oil all over. At that time, two more SmartCom he had sold also failed that same weekend.

And now here we are with the "voluntary recall". I'm stuck with a piece of **** computer that I probably can't even give away. Yeah, they'll probably send a brand new replacment unit, but who in their right mind is gonna trust their lives to one of those things ever again?!?!?!

Personally I've lost any and all faith in ScubaPro/Uwatec products. They may have been the best 5 or 10 years ago, but in my opinion their products have gone down the tubes. When ScubaPro came out with their new MK20/S600 regulators, I bought one and experienced nothing but free flows from day one. The LDS didn't believe me but he made a few adjustments (detuned it)...but nothing helped. He didn't believe me until we did a dive together and at 70' it started leaking air. So he called the rep, who said he wanted that regulator back for testing. My dive buddy at the time had the exact same problem with the same regulator. So the regulators went back in and supposedly the only way they could get them to free flow was over breathing them in 33 degree water at 180+ ft. This was a 1st stage free flow. Hmm...they freeflowed consistently for me at about 70' or 90' in 40-50 degree water. But they replaced the unit with a new MK25 1st stage.

But I had already gotten frustrated and just bought a new poseidon. I had enough of free flows. The MK25/S600 went onto the other H-Valve post and I prayed to god I'd never have to try to breathe off it. After that I've been on several charters where I've seen people with the original MK20/S600 regulators that free flowed just like mine. Supposedly the piston needs to be changed or shaved or something like that which solves the free flow problem. For fairness, I have breathed and used the new MK25/S600 at depths below180' in 40 degree water without incident. Of course my posiedon was in hand and ready... A nerve racking experience... I have since replaced that MK25/S600 with another posiedon. The MK25/S600 I use for my pool diving/training, shallow activities or diving in the tropics. An expensive regulator for tasks that an el'cheapo regulator could do.

I don't know what ScubaPro/Uwatec is doing but I am SICK AND TIRED OF PAYING THEM to do their R & D testing for them. I will NEVER, EVER, EVER buy another piece of their gear unless it is their old stuff. In my opinion their new gear is no better than U.S. Divers. You're paying for nothing more than the name.

That said...Don't suppose anyone is interested in buying a SmartCom computer?!?!?
LOL!

 

[Genesis]

See what you got for supporting your LDS instead of buying online?

NOTHING!

This is why, by the way, I believe that the entire "support your AUTHORIZED dealer" line is crap. You don't get support. You don't get service. You don't get someone who will take on the task of fighting for the store credit or an outright refund when it turns out you've been sold a P.O.S. - which that shop represented and sold to you as "the most wonderful thing ever made."

Its a lie, but there's no accountability for it.

And now the shops have the ballz to say that this is a "voluntary" recall, and so does SP/Uwatec - but heh, the CPSC will be monitoring complience.

Truth? Isn't that the first casualty when competition heats up?

 

[cstreu1026]

I don't see this as a chance to bash a LDS. They were simply selling a new product that was suppose to have superior technology. Considering the thin line some shops walk between profit and loss I doubt anybody would willingly eat the cost of a smart com without some assurance from Scuba Pro or Uwatec that they would be taken care of. It would be much easier for a huge online dealer like LP to take a loss on some computers and raise the price of gear 1/2% to make for the loss since they deal in much much larger quantities.

The blame needs to rest solely with SP as they are the ones that shipped defetive and potentially harmful products. Personally if they would offer me another one of their computers I would probably switch in a heart beat and settle for "old" technology.

 

[JDostal]

Yeah, I'm going to definitely have to step in and defend the LDS in question here - I'm the guy gheeres was loaning a computer to when his first SmartCom died, and I've bought the majority of my gear either through the LDS or used from people I've met through the LDS.

This LDS is one of the reasons that you NEVER buy online. These guys go above and WAY beyond what is expected of a retailer in helping out it's customers. They are great, and I thank god I've bought through them instead of LeisurePro.

But on that note - yeah, one new, never used Scubapro SmartCom for sale! Fresh from warrantly replacment

 

[Genesis]

I don't see this as a chance to bash a LDS. They were simply selling a new product that was suppose to have superior technology. Considering the thin line some shops walk between profit and loss I doubt anybody would willingly eat the cost of a smart com without some assurance from Scuba Pro or Uwatec that they would be taken care of.

One of the purposes of "authorized dealers" is to have real, live, authorized representatives of a manufacturer selling things.

With that authorization comes responsibility. Its part of what you give (as a dealer) to be able to get factory support and, ultimately, demand a higher price as an "authorized" outlet.

Of course as soon as that resposibility comes home to roost the LDS runs away from the issue, disclaims any responsibility, and ducks behind the counter, leaving the customer holding the bag.

Yet that representation of being an arm of the manufacturer for which they are "authorized" was exactly what they waved in front of you in the pursuit of your wallet in the first place!

Is not the sign in your SP/Uwatec dealer, at the counter, EXACTLY this? Is it not PRECISELY the representation that the manufacturer will stand behind ONLY products purchased from their "authorized" retailer?

So did you rely on this to your detriment? You sure did. And now you are going to allow the LDS to walk off into the sunset, having pocketed your profit, without being held to their end of the deal?

Why?

 

[JDostal]

Actually Genesis, on this case...once again...I have to defend my LDS.

You may be correct in other cases...but this time...not even close

I've got my reasons as to why...but lets just say that you may not know everything in this instance.

 

[gheeres]

I'm definitely NOT bashing the LDS, nor was that my intent. The LDS is basically at the mercy of the big companies, in this cause ScubaPro/Uwatec. I just don't feel ScubaPro/Uwatec is spending enough time testing their products.

My LDS has been more than fair and made sure I could do the diving that I wanted to do while I struggled with ScubaPro/Uwatec's products. If you read most posts from other people that have had problems, the LDS owner is almost always willing to help. Let's see if you contact one of the big online retailers and see if they're willing to loan you gear while you get something fixed or replaced. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

In this particular instance, I am very happy that I bought through a LDS. And I stand behind my LDS. Without the LDS, I don't have a voice that ScubaPro/Uwatec is willing to listen to. I'm one person...buy my LDS represents hundreds of people. Who do you think ScubaPro/Uwatec is going to listen to first?

My LDS has done right by me so far.