EOS broke...

[Mundele]

My original EOS broke the other night. I was using it as a helmet light during a night ride and I stopped to put in fresh batteries and noticed that the case was cracked near the hinge. Later the piece snapped off. I was able to get through the ride, but am having to send it back to PT.

So I got the RMA number. What's the chance of getting back my original LED module in a new case? I had swapped the LED for a nice tinted one. I asked them to do that in the included letter but who knows...

I suppose if they traded it for one of the new EOS's I wouldn't mind

--Matt

 

[Marduke]

With you admittedly opening up the case to swap the LED, I'd be surprised if they replaced it at all.

 

[Guy's Dropper]

Typically, any modification done to any light voids the warranty. Good luck on getting it replaced.

 

[Mundele]

Mine was never sealed. Those plastic prongs were never melted down. I didn't tell them that I swapped LEDs, but they can tell by my soldering if they look. The break had nothing to do with changing LEDs though...

You all have me worried now...

--Matt

 

[vtunderground]

For what it's worth...

When I sent my Apex in for warranty work, I'd already upgraded the LED and removed the heat sensor thingy. If they noticed, they didn't care about it.

 

[greenLED]

They'll probably just send you a new, stock Eos.

 

[Woods Walker]

I think the new Rebel EOS are selling on sale for 33-35 bucks. I have seen old ones online for something like 25ish. For that money unless you tell them you played around with the thing I am guessing they will toss it and give you a new one. PT has been good to me in the past and that is why I keep buying from them. Don't know if you will get a Rebel or older EOS. With luck it will be a newer one. I like my EOS 2 and will get getting a 4-mode Rebel this week.

 

[NoFair]

If they are anything like Pelican they toss the broken one and give you a new one.

If you consider their costs of producing one light compared to trying to repair one it makes sense. If it is an unknown problem for them they would probably take more time with the returned light in order to diagnose the problem so it could be avoided on later runs.

Sverre

PS! Usually not wise to say you have modded a light even if it is unrelated to the problem..

 

[Mundele]

I'd say you all are right. I should've unsoldered that nicer led I guess but oh well.

--Matt

 

[nemulhuman]

did they cover you on the strap back? and if not, if you don't mind, what did they charge to ship it out to you? I had the same thing happen to mine. turned out those high grade materials weren't as durable as advertised, huh.

on a side note anyone have a explanation on the wide range of prices on the Tec Apex? are gray market warranties used in these things? I've seen them priced anywhere from $50- 77.00.. just curious that's all.

 

[Mundele]

Not sure what the strap back is. My hinge broke. I just mailed it back. They didn't charge me anything, or act like I needed to pay for anything.

Give them a call, see what they say.

 

[greenLED]

nemul, I've had that base plate brake twice (my stupidity...), and once the battery compartment hinge broke.

In all instances, I simply contacted them, sent the light, and they sent me a new one.
*cough*evenwhentheemitterononewasnotstock*cough*

 

[Mundele]

I'm just hoping for one of the new rebel ones... (fingers crossed)

 

[Mundele]

Got my replacement EOS today. They sent me a new rebel one. I'm quite pleased. It's got a warmer tint than my EOS Bike (also rebel), but it's not quite as bright. Kudos to princeton tec. I think they've gained a lifelong customer.

--matt

 

[Woods Walker]

Great news. There does seem to be some play in tint and brightness.

 

[Mundele]

Yeah, it bugged me at first, not being quite so bright but I really like the tint, and I only really notice when I have the two side by side, which in practical use will never happen. i think sometimes I equate bluer (whiter) lights with being brighter. I think this is because incandescents get more yellow as they get dim and I make that association.

Anyway, I really like it. The EOS Bike has a different type of back with a clip on it that mounts to a headstrap, helmet and handlebar mounts but the clip adds about 1/4" of thickness. It doesn't look like much but it moves the weight of the light forward on your head a bit and I can really feel the difference. The eos I got doesn't have that clip attachment, which is a good thing.

Kudos to Princeton Tec. Now why don't they make a good regulated handheld light too?

--Matt

 

[Woods Walker]

Yea it is a crap shoot with them like most LED lights. My EOS II is less bright and has a cooler tint than my 4-mode EOS however someone would not know unless they had both headlamps side by side. I think this is a CPF thing. Most normal people don't walk around with two of the same headlamps checking for tint and brightness.oo: But I do. :twothumbs

Anyways for me tint is more important than a few extra lumens. This is one reason why I am happy PT went with a rebel over standard cree. Seems the rebel in general has a warmer tint. I do a great deal of Fall backpack stream fishing. I just got back from a trip. The water this time of the year is brown due to leaf litter. I spend a great deal of time walking in the water. Often fish to about dusk and walk back in the dark. Crossing a flooded stream in the dark can be risky. The warmer tint seems to cut down into the brownish water much better than a blue/white standard 5mm LED headlamps. A flashlight is a no for lots of reasons.

So I would be happy if your tint is warmer even at the cost of a few lumens. Not that any of my EOS are sub 50 lumens on high near as I can tell. Here are some photos of what I am talking about.

 

[Woods Walker]

My original EOS broke the other night. I was using it as a helmet light during a night ride and I stopped to put in fresh batteries and noticed that the case was cracked near the hinge. Later the piece snapped off. I was able to get through the ride, but am having to send it back to PT.

So I got the RMA number. What's the chance of getting back my original LED module in a new case? I had swapped the LED for a nice tinted one. I asked them to do that in the included letter but who knows...

I suppose if they traded it for one of the new EOS's I wouldn't mind

--Matt

Mundele

I decided to return my broken Aurora after thinking more about this thread. The headlamp for the most part is unused as it was a backup for my Apex. Seems like a shame that the Aurora battery latch broke on the 3rd battery change. Who knows maybe I will get a new one.

 

[Mundele]

I bet you will get a new one. Good luck!

 

[Woods Walker]

We will see. I got a return number and sent it off. This is not the first battery latch that broke on an Aurora however the first one broke during a summer moth fight so can't blame PT. Used duct tape but lost the headlamp after I rolled my kayak. Still I kinda like the Aurora as it runs for a long time on direct drive and the last gen was brighter with a few other improvements. But the battery latch never changed. I am guessing that is the reason why the Aurora was replaced with the Fuel. Thinking the Fuel has the same guts as the Aurora but don't know.