GME EPIRB SAFETY ALERT - microprocessor failures

[ozscott]

For me nothing - just a loss of confidence in it. I give full credit to GME with acting the way that they have done in dealing with individual customers over it.

Cheers

[trymyluck]

Like wise if you have some concerns about this issue talk to GME, I'll happily buy GME again.


Mark

[fishing111]

Would i be correct in saying that you have had an outcome the same as ozscott Mark?

[SatNav]

1. All this is starting to have warts all over it? Why should every individual have to individually and personally have to make an approach to get a hearing and possible replacement?

2. If there is a known defined time frame and obviously there will be batch / serial numbers etc involved between such a year and such a year then every one of those units proven suspect or otherwise regardless of current tests must be replaced with known fit for purpose hardware.

3. For such a critical piece of safety equipment requiring very specific certification and to miss replacing just one of these units is one unit too many. This is not the fault of the purchaser but the purchaser in this case is expected to "fix" their own problem, that is if they are aware of the problem in the first place.

4. Considering the purpose of these devices where has there been any large scale advertising on any media to make this issue known to all and sundry?

[Muddy Toes]

Ummmm............

Did I just read.......??

The tone of this response?
Could it actually be.........you know.......

Helpful????

[ozscott]

1. All this is starting to have warts all over it? Why should every individual have to individually and personally have to make an approach to get a hearing and possible replacement?

2. If there is a known defined time frame and obviously there will be batch / serial numbers etc involved between such a year and such a year then every one of those units proven suspect or otherwise regardless of current tests must be replaced with known fit for purpose hardware.

3. For such a critical piece of safety equipment requiring very specific certification and to miss replacing just one of these units is one unit too many. This is not the fault of the purchaser but the purchaser in this case is expected to "fix" their own problem, that is if they are aware of the problem in the first place.

4. Considering the purpose of these devices where has there been any large scale advertising on any media to make this issue known to all and sundry?

Satnav these are good points. Most on this thread have agreed that there should have been a different approach. Again though I think some manufacturers may not have alerted anyone at all. The alert is on the GME website. When approach even with a unit that has not failed GME happily replaces with a 2013 one that doesnt have the risk of failure discussed in the alert. What I am saying is that short of a full recall, which clearly they are not going to do, they are replacing units that have not failed and the known failure rate (and yes the actual rate could be higher) is one tenth of one percent. If we keep our shirts on and approach GME we get a new one and that is worth a lot these days - by in monetary terms and in terms of manufacturer's doing the right thing (the definition of right thing is variable and their actions fit within the spectrum in my view).

Cheers

[fishing111]

Ozscott i contacted GME in regard to my 403G yesterday, and no offer was made to "happily replace" even though it is in the affected period stated by GME. I must admit i didn't put the words in GME's mouth as in asking for it to be replaced due to a loss in confidence, as i wanted to see what GME would do without being prompted. However the intent of my call was a loss of faith in the product. I will contact GME again and specifically ask the question.

Satnav these are good points. Most on this thread have agreed that there should have been a different approach. Again though I think some manufacturers may not have alerted anyone at all. The alert is on the GME website. When approach even with a unit that has not failed GME happily replaces with a 2013 one that doesnt have the risk of failure discussed in the alert. What I am saying is that short of a full recall, which clearly they are not going to do, they are replacing units that have not failed and the known failure rate (and yes the actual rate could be higher) is one tenth of one percent. If we keep our shirts on and approach GME we get a new one and that is worth a lot these days - by in monetary terms and in terms of manufacturer's doing the right thing (the definition of right thing is variable and their actions fit within the spectrum in my view).

Cheers

[ozscott]

Yes mine was happily replaced my 4 year old one without drama after I told them I had lost confidence and was looking for it to be replaced. Given that it is not a recall I dont expect them to volunteer replacement to anyone who simply contacts them for more information.

Cheers

[SatNav]

1. These devices are not your everyday toaster, jug or TV recall, they are a critical piece of safety equipment which could mean life or death and in most cases a legislated requirement.

2. In life and death situations the monetary considerations should have absolutely no bearing on calling a recall or not and really the question re a full recall must be asked.

3. Considering what these devices are used for the GME website link is simply not good enough to alert every user to the issue as even missing one tenth of 1 percent of the users just could be the life and death situation. At the very least GME should have approached AMSA who have all the details, all the makes/models, all the serial#'s, all the UIN's, all the contact details and notify each and every registered owner. No personal details would go to GME, AMSA would handle the correspondence the same as for registration so there are no privacy isues with this either.

4. And just to reiterate the most important point again, the details are available and every registered user MUST be contacted re this matter. Anything less than this considering the purpose of the devices in question falls a long way short of due and considered obligations.

[ozscott]

Satvav why not take these points up with AMSA ?

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[fishing111]

Wasn't exactly for more information, more for conflicting information in my case. I believe the intent of my call was clear, however maybe he didn't pick up on it. While i appreciate your a happy camper ozscott, i like to see a company do the right thing without having to be prodded, and I wonder what your stance would be if you didn't get your unit replaced?
Would you be happy with the one tenth of one percent quoted, and was that the failure rate in the manufacturing process, or a guess of the unit’s out there in our boats which could fail? (don’t expect you to answer, as you wouldn’t know)
Don't take this as a dig at you Oz, as it's not my intention, however if GME are going to be selective in who's units they will and won't replace, well then that concerns me. It is also of concern to me all the people that don't even know about the alert, together with some out there that get a heightened sense of security knowing they have an epirb on board, and push the limits and go out on day's they really shouldn't (yes i know not GME's problem) .

Yes mine was happily replaced my 4 year old one without drama after I told them I had lost confidence and was looking for it to be replaced. Given that it is not a recall I dont expect them to volunteer replacement to anyone who simply contacts them for more information.

Cheers

[ozscott]

I know what you arw saying...please see post 3 on page 1. I am a happy camper NOW and posted up originally to alert people and also hoping that I and everone else in this community could get re dress . Cheers

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[fishing111]

Thanks for that oz, and i appreciate you notifying and making us all aware, so sorry if that didn't come across.

[ozscott]

All good mate

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[docaster]

I think what most on here are saying is owners should be notified. I have just in the last few weeks, re registered one epirb and registered another that came with a boat i just bought. There was no mention from AMSA about the problem. Since i think the majority of epirb owners would not be on any forum gme are leaving themselves open to huge lawsuits if the shit hit the fan, knowing of a fault and not telling people about it. Very rare to have complete access to all owners for contacting them.