[pct-l] Manufacturer BearVault comments

[yogihikes at sbcglobal.net (yogi)]

First the caveat:  
I don't own a bear canister and I've never used one.  
 
My knowledge of this BearVault issue is simply what 
I've read here on PCT-L in the last couple of days.
 
Bears are smart and hikers know it.  Hikers who use 
canisters are trying to protect their food from the 
bears.  So the hikers should be smart and READ THE 
DIRECTIONS and be sure they know how to close the 
canister lid.  Seems like a no-brainer to me.  If 
you don't use the product in the manner specified 
in the instructions, then all bets are off.  
 
My take on this is NOT that BearVault is passing the 
buck.  Instead, it seems to me that BearVault is in 
touch with the PCT community and is simply stating 
that if hikers follow the instructions, then the 
canister will work as promised.
 
If you have a tupperware container full of salsa and 
the lid is not closed properly and then you drop it 
on your white carpet, you'll have a nasty stain.  Is 
that the fault of the tupperware company?  No.  It's 
the fault of the consumer for not closing the lid 
properly.  Same thing with the BearVault.  It's been 
tested and approved by the Sierra Interagency Black 
Bear Group.  Would it have been approved if the lid 
was not closed properly?  No.  The hiker has the 
responsibility to know how to use his/her gear correctly, 
ESPECIALLY a piece of gear as important as a bear canister.
 
yogi
www.pcthandbook.com
 
 
 


Randy Forsland <randy_forsland@hotmail.com> wrote:
I like how you shift the blame for your quality control issues onto the
customer...bravo.

And if you are truly "partners with your customers", then how about 
refunding some of your profits to them since they have to be so careful 
about closing the lids on YOUR product?

Redwood
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "bearvault" 
> To: 

> Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2005 6:38 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] Manufacturer BearVault comments
>
>
>> We want to point out an issue with our newer model BV250s and BV300s
>> which the user needs to be aware of. We use a manual mold for the
>> production of the lid and this can result in some lids being slightly
>> oversized due to cycle time variations. These oversize lids can cause
>> the lid to come down on top of the housing stop bump rather than sliding
>> inside the bump. What this means is if you continue to tighten the lid,
>> the lid will not close correctly and in fact, the lid will bow out at
>> the housing bump if you continue to tighten the lid with the lid on top
>> of the housing stop bump. This results in a lid that is NOT correctly
>> closed; in fact it leaves a gap which a bear can use to pop the lid off
>> and a bulge in the outside of the lid at the location of the housing
>> bump. If the lid is correctly closed it should also be able to unscrew
>> slightly before hitting the housing stop bump; this is another way to
>> check that you have correctly closed the lid. Please do a visual check
>> of your BearVault to ensure you have closed it correctly. These oversize
>> lids are only 0.02" larger than nominal, so you cannot spot them
>> visually. They work perfectly well if you close the lid correctly.
>>
>> Incorrectly closing the lid has resulted in at least one incident of a
>> bear gaining access to these models. These incidents are reported to the
>> rangers, and the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group keeps a tally of
>> these incidents. If they feel the number of incidents is excessive they
>> can revoke the approval of that model of canister.
>>
>> We point out that this can happen in an insert in every unit we sell.
>> The insert points out that this is easily remedied; if you see the lid
>> hit the top of the bump, simply press in with your finger on the lid and
>> it will move inside the housing stop bump. You can then continue
>> tightening the lid until you hear that "snap" which tells you that the
>> lid is closed correctly. The lid will also be touching the housing so
>> there is no gap between the lid and the housing. If you have an oversize
>> lid and you ensure you close the lid correctly, you have a canister that
>> has withstood attacks by 800 pound Grizzly bears successfully. If you
>> do not close the lid correctly you have a vulnerable canister that may
>> fail during a bear attack.
>>
>> Please ensure you look at the lid and housing when you close these model
>> BearVaults so that you are sure it is correctly closed. We plan on
>> automating the lid manufacturing process this winter so that there are
>> no longer these size variations, but in order to do this we need your
>> help and awareness of the issue so that you correctly close the
>> BearVaults. We are partners with our customers, and we need you to
>> correctly close your BearVaults if they have an oversize lid or else you
>> all may lose the option of buying a larger, lighter, easier to use bear
>> canister.
>>
>> If you have a friend who uses a BearVault, please pass this on. If you
>> would like a copy of the insert, please email us at sales@bearvault.com.
>>
>> Thank you for your patronage and for correctly using the BearVaults.
>>
>> Happy hiking.
>> Jamie
>>
>>
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