Editor’s note: We received the below press release from Black Diamond late this morning. (Some of you may have already received this notification.) The email is republished in its entirety. For now, BD is not referring to the potential malfunctions as a recall. Also, note that there’s a link to BD’s safety check procedures in the text below.
We’ll update you with additional information as we learn more.
PIEPS and Black Diamond Equipment Avalanche Transceiver / Beacon Safety Check
We have observed a small number of PIEPS and Black Diamond Avalanche Beacons with malfunctioning electronic components that may prevent it from switching between SEND and SEARCH modes. Our testing is ongoing, but it is important to us that we communicate this information promptly and ask that anyone in possession of the following beacons to immediately perform a safety inspection to ensure your beacon is functioning properly.
• PIEPS Micro BT Button
• PIEPS Micro BT Race
• PIEPS Micro BT Sensor
• PIEPS POWDER BT
• PIEPS PRO BT
• PIEPS DSP PRO
• PIEPS DSP SPORT
• BLACK DIAMOND RECON
• BLACK DIAMOND GUIDE
If you have one of these beacons, we ask that you immediately check and verify that the SEND/SEARCH/BLUETOOTH modes are working properly. If your beacon does not pass the Safety Check, you should retire it immediately and return it to PIEPS / BLACK DIAMOND for service, free-of charge.
Instructions to perform the Safety Check and related information can be found here. We will update you as more information becomes available.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department at ski@bdel.com.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Jason Albert comes to WildSnow from Bend, Oregon. After growing up on the East Coast, he migrated from Montana to Colorado and settled in Oregon. Simple pleasures are quiet and long days touring. His gray hair might stem from his first Grand Traverse in 2000 when rented leather boots and 210cm skis were not the speed weapons he had hoped for. Jason survived the transition from free-heel kool-aid drinker to faster and lighter (think AT), and safer, are better.
