PIEPS and Black Diamond avalanche transceivers recalled

The device may not be able to locate a skier in an avalanche

Consumer Affairs - James Limbach - Reporter

ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency and may be compensated by companies. Avalanche-Center.org is an independent non-profit with no connection to or support from any company or government agency. We do sell safety gear in our store and will make arrangements for any recalled items purchased from us. If you are not our customer please contact the seller you made your purchase from or the manufacturer.

Black Diamond Equipment of Salt Lake City, Utah, is recalling about 87,600 avalanche transceivers sold in the U.S. and Canada.

Pieps DSP Sport, DSP Pro, and DSP Pro Ice avalanche transceivers were previously recalled in 2021.

The transceivers may not switch from SEND mode into SEARCH mode.

The firm has received 26 reports of the search mode on the transceiver not working properly. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves the PIEPS Pro BT, Powder BT, DSP Sport, DSP Pro, DSP Pro Ice, Micro BT Button, Micro BT Sensor, and Micro BT Race avalanche transceivers and the Black Diamond branded Recon BT and Guide BT avalanche transceivers.

All the transceivers are plastic with an LCD screen and measure about 5 inches long by 3 inches wide, with colors varying by model. The transceivers have PIEPS or the Black Diamond logo printed on the front of the unit and the model name printed either on the front or rear of the unit.

The transceivers, manufactured in Bosnia, were sold at Liberty Mountain, Recreational Equipment (REI), and other specialty outdoor stores nationwide, as well as online at www.backcountry.com, from January 2013, through April 2022, for between $300 and $450.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled transceivers and perform a safety check to verify if the device can switch into Search Mode at www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/content/beacon-notification/.

If the devices are not working properly, owners can contact Black Diamond to receive a prepaid shipping label to return the recalled transceivers for a free repair or a replacement device.

Consumers may contact Black Diamond online or by phone at (866) 306-0865 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (MT) Monday through Friday for more information.

ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency and may be compensated by companies. Avalanche-Center.org is an independent non-profit with no connection to or support from any company or government agency. We do sell safety gear in our store and will make arrangements for any recalled items purchased from us. If you are not our customer please contact the seller you made your purchase from or the manufacturer.