2 month old Princeton Tec Apex died for no apparent reason

[RoninTech]

This last December before going on a trip to a small island in the Andaman sea in SE Asia, I picked up 2 Princeton Tec Apex headlamps for myself and my wife as Christmas presents. We spent January on this island where there is no lighting after dark and the generators switch off before midnight so a good headlamp for each of us was a must. Unfortunately about 1 week into our trip, my headlamp quit working.

It was sitting on a shelf providing light when it slowly dimmed and went off never to come on again. The batteries are perfect but for some reason neither the spotlight or the widebeam LED's will work. Strangely the battery power meter LED seems to be acting normally. The unit was not dropped or submerged. I used the Contact Us page on PTs website to see what can be done but haven't heard anything back yet. Just wondering has anyone else had good dealings with Princeton Tec's customer service?

We were running brand new Maha NiMh 2700 Powerex AA's in both lights. Funnily enough our Maha charger also died on this trip. I contacted Maha at the same time as PT (this last Saturday) and Maha already has a replacement unit on the way. Now that's good service!

We absolutely love the working Apex but can't give a good review with our 50% success rate with this headlamp. When they work, they are great lamps though.

Cheers,
Ronin

 

[Cypher]

I got an Apex last January for my birthday and soon thereafter I noticed small cracks in the orange plastic case on the front of the light. I emailed PT explaining the problem and they exchanged it for a new one no questions asked. I was impressed with their service. I would maybe try another email or call them if a number is listed. I'm quite sure they will take care of you.

And yes I agree with you, the Apex really is a great headlamp.

 

[greenLED]

It took PT a little over a month to reply to an e-mail I sent. They have a phone listed on their website, but I haven't tried calling.

 

[Cypher]

Oh yeah, and welcome to CPF. I have found the people here to be a cut above the standard web board fare. Enjoy your time here!

 

[RoninTech]

Thanks for the welcome it was this site and Flashlight reviews that helped me choose the Apex. Do you have the email address you used Cypher or did you just use their web page?

 

[Cypher]

RT,

I just used the email address on their web page. I don't remember it taking more than a few days to get back to me. It's too bad you've gone this long without hearing from them but just be persistent as I'm sure they will replace it for you.

 

[jar3ds]

i am sorry to hear about your failure with your headlamp... it is the first i've heard of something like this.... call them / email them again... PT seems to be a very good company to work with

good luck!

 

[Limelighter]

I used the Contact Us page on PTs website to see what can be done but haven't heard anything back yet. Just wondering has anyone else had good dealings with Princeton Tec's customer service?

Ronin

When I had a problem with one of the clips on the battery case that holds the headstrap cracking, I simply mailed it to Princeton Tec by Priority Mail at the warranty service address given in the instructions that accompanied the light, along with a letter describing the problem and a copy of my purchase receipt (it is not clear that one has to send a copy of the receipt, since the light comes with a lifetime warranty for sales in the United States, but I did anyway since I had it). This address is: Princeton Tec, 5198 Route 130, Bordentown, NJ 08505-4621. I mailed it on January 27, 2007, Princeton Tec received it on January 29, and the repaired unit was mailed back to me on February 2 (I received it today). They even put fresh (alkaline) batteries in it (I had sent it without batteries to save shipping weight)!

So I don't think that it is necessary to email or call Princeton Tec before sending a headlamp back for warranty repair.

 

[RoninTech]

Thanks LL, I'll check to see what the priority shipping is from here in Canada. I wish they had a great policy like Maha does... Oh well better than a kick in the head I suppose.

I checked the instruction sheet and sure enough there's the address and directions for warranty. It says to ship without batteries and no mention of a receipt.