ulrich.von.lich
Well-known
Hello,
I would like to share a rather disappointing experience with a Peak Design product.
For most, it is just a rant. For Sling 5L/10L V1 users, it is also a warning that Peak Design should have but failed to send.
First of all, I'd like to say I appreciate their efforts in innovation and environmental protection and I'll continue to support the young company. But I do think they need to pay more attention to their product designs, especially not to compromise the safety of their products in favour of the minimalist style. And they should perhaps acknowledge any design flaw to prevent their customers from unnecessary damages to their camera equipments. In the future, I will never buy any product from them before doing enough online research because their products are, evidently, not as reliable as they appear to be, despite of the price tag.
Long story short, the strap of the 5L Sling bag just failed yesterday. It was self-detached from the buckle. I was quick enough to catch the bag before it falls on the ground. I was quite surprised as I had never experienced anything like it. Not even to mention camera specific products, the strap of my old GAP bag hasn't yet failed on me. I would never expect the first strap failure to come from a premium product.
When I contacted the customer service, to my surprise, they quickly acknowledged the issue and said they would send me a pair of fixing items (to attach on the buckle), if I pay the postage, and that's when I started to get angry.
I become angry not because I have to pay the postage. Anyone who paid $130 (I bought it in Asia) for a 5L fanny bag shouldn't have any financial difficulty to pay postage for some free items. I have just realised how passive people at Peak Design are and how little they really care about their customers.
The fact the solution to fix the problem is already there suggests they have already achknowledged the design flaw. Then why on earth can't they take the initiative to contact the buyers, perhaps by a public statement of any sort, so the buyers can be warned immediately by the risk to which their camera equipments are exposed?
The customer service said only they didn't do so because the strap failure had only affected (so far obviously) about only one percent of total users, as if camera equipments of the one percent of users falling on the ground wasn't important for them at all. I was left speechless.
If you are a user of Peak Design V1 Sling bag, you might want to contact them to get the fixing items. For V2 users, perhaps you should ask them whether the same failure could eventually occur on your product.
Best Regards,
I would like to share a rather disappointing experience with a Peak Design product.
For most, it is just a rant. For Sling 5L/10L V1 users, it is also a warning that Peak Design should have but failed to send.
First of all, I'd like to say I appreciate their efforts in innovation and environmental protection and I'll continue to support the young company. But I do think they need to pay more attention to their product designs, especially not to compromise the safety of their products in favour of the minimalist style. And they should perhaps acknowledge any design flaw to prevent their customers from unnecessary damages to their camera equipments. In the future, I will never buy any product from them before doing enough online research because their products are, evidently, not as reliable as they appear to be, despite of the price tag.
Long story short, the strap of the 5L Sling bag just failed yesterday. It was self-detached from the buckle. I was quick enough to catch the bag before it falls on the ground. I was quite surprised as I had never experienced anything like it. Not even to mention camera specific products, the strap of my old GAP bag hasn't yet failed on me. I would never expect the first strap failure to come from a premium product.
When I contacted the customer service, to my surprise, they quickly acknowledged the issue and said they would send me a pair of fixing items (to attach on the buckle), if I pay the postage, and that's when I started to get angry.
I become angry not because I have to pay the postage. Anyone who paid $130 (I bought it in Asia) for a 5L fanny bag shouldn't have any financial difficulty to pay postage for some free items. I have just realised how passive people at Peak Design are and how little they really care about their customers.
The fact the solution to fix the problem is already there suggests they have already achknowledged the design flaw. Then why on earth can't they take the initiative to contact the buyers, perhaps by a public statement of any sort, so the buyers can be warned immediately by the risk to which their camera equipments are exposed?
The customer service said only they didn't do so because the strap failure had only affected (so far obviously) about only one percent of total users, as if camera equipments of the one percent of users falling on the ground wasn't important for them at all. I was left speechless.
If you are a user of Peak Design V1 Sling bag, you might want to contact them to get the fixing items. For V2 users, perhaps you should ask them whether the same failure could eventually occur on your product.
Best Regards,
Brian Atherton
Well-known
Sorry to hear of the Sling V1 problem, Ulrich.
I have a version 1 Sling (5Ltr) that (so far!) shows no sign of failing in the way yours has. Can you give more details of the failure and what parts Peak has sent to cure the issue?
I have a version 1 Sling (5Ltr) that (so far!) shows no sign of failing in the way yours has. Can you give more details of the failure and what parts Peak has sent to cure the issue?
ulrich.von.lich
Well-known
Hello Brian, I will post some pictures as soon as I find a way to host them. I just found out my Photobucket account could no longer be accessed.
I am glad yours is working well. Actually, prior to this incident, I had no doubt mine was working well, too. I hadn't noticed any sign before it happened. The strap wasn't wore out and broke, it just came out of the buckle by itself. The buckle is not designed to be able to hold the strap firmly enough.
lcpr
Well-known
I found out about the strap issue when researching reviews on the 5L sling. I ordered anyway since they had fixed it and were including the strap locks in new bags. The bag I bought didn't have them, so I emailed them and they sent me a set of strap locks free of charge. Haven't had a problem with the strap or the bag once I had the locks installed.
PD are usually quite proactive in their recalls, so it is disappointing they didn't make the fix more visible.
PD are usually quite proactive in their recalls, so it is disappointing they didn't make the fix more visible.
ACullen
Well-known
I had this happen to my Sling about 2 years ago. It did fall to the ground but luckily onto a carpeted floor, no damage done. I contacted PD and they said that they'd not heard of this issue. I fixed the issue myself. On the upside when the zips on my 5L and 10L Sling failed within weeks of each other I was effectively given the V2 editions as replacements.
sevres_babylone
Veteran
Thanks for bringing the fact that this has happened to others to my attention. In my case, the strap detached from my 5L in my house, as I was picking it up. It happened about a year ago. Fortunately, it happened when I had raised it about 12 to 18 inches off the floor. My M9 was inside. And fortunately the bag does have padding on the bottom, so there was no harm as far as I can tell. I didn’t contact Peak Design, but for a long time have used the bag mainly for storage, and trying to remember to check the length of the strap below the attachment point before going out with it.
ulrich.von.lich
Well-known
ulrich.von.lich
Well-known
I will always wait a bit and do some research on every product they make from now on.
Are those locks staying firmly?
ulrich.von.lich
Well-known
I guess we were both lucky.
And I hope the zips on my 5L won't fail. I like its size. And It's a hassle outside the US to ask for replacement, I would imagine.
ulrich.von.lich
Well-known
Three lucky people.
Last summer I went on a hiking trip in South Korea with the bag. If it happened at that time, I would probably say goodbye to my camera equipment forever.
Emile de Leon
Well-known
This is why I generally dont support young companies w/o a track record..
I learned that in the music industry..
Quality..and great customer support are mandatory..
Or its best to bail fast..
I learned that in the music industry..
Quality..and great customer support are mandatory..
Or its best to bail fast..
Godfrey
somewhat colored
When I bought the PD Sling 5L V1 a few years ago, I noticed the fact that the strap would slip within a day and sent them a note. They engaged in some dialog with me about it over the course of a few emails, and a month or so later they sent me the strap locks which were always included with new bag purchases after that.
I'd already come up with my own solution, which worked fine as long as I maintained it. When I got tired of maintaining it, I put their strap locks on and they've never needed any maintenance since. I was happy to see that their solution was better than mine.
Sorry to hear it caught you out, but honestly I would never presume that a bag or strap needs no maintenance and inspection. I tend to check every strap—every bag—I use every time I take it out to put into service for signs of fatigue and wear, and make whatever adjustments or repairs are needed. It only takes a second or two: I've caught countless minor issues that were fixed in a moment but could have ended up with dumping expensive gear on the ground if neglected. I don't think I can blame PD for a lack of responsiveness or proactive repairs ... the Sling 5L v1 bags are still available but all their in-house stock should have been updated with the strap locks. Perhaps one or another package was missed. They're only human in that regard, I miss plenty of stuff myself.
As always, the person who cares the most about your equipment is you. I spend a few moments checking my equipment every time I go to use it, and that includes all straps and bags. Things wear or don't work to the defined spec all the time: I do this to become aware of the foibles and keep them from getting in the way. I'd suggest adopting a similar policy of vigilance and maintenance to everyone.
G
I'd already come up with my own solution, which worked fine as long as I maintained it. When I got tired of maintaining it, I put their strap locks on and they've never needed any maintenance since. I was happy to see that their solution was better than mine.
Sorry to hear it caught you out, but honestly I would never presume that a bag or strap needs no maintenance and inspection. I tend to check every strap—every bag—I use every time I take it out to put into service for signs of fatigue and wear, and make whatever adjustments or repairs are needed. It only takes a second or two: I've caught countless minor issues that were fixed in a moment but could have ended up with dumping expensive gear on the ground if neglected. I don't think I can blame PD for a lack of responsiveness or proactive repairs ... the Sling 5L v1 bags are still available but all their in-house stock should have been updated with the strap locks. Perhaps one or another package was missed. They're only human in that regard, I miss plenty of stuff myself.
As always, the person who cares the most about your equipment is you. I spend a few moments checking my equipment every time I go to use it, and that includes all straps and bags. Things wear or don't work to the defined spec all the time: I do this to become aware of the foibles and keep them from getting in the way. I'd suggest adopting a similar policy of vigilance and maintenance to everyone.
G
charjohncarter
Veteran
I've used an Op/Tech USA neck strap for years. Then someone here said their quick release popped and he dropped his Pentax 6x7. I decided I didn't need that or the quick release. So this is my fix:
Camera Strap Security by John Carter, on Flickr
Camera Strap Security by John Carter, on Flickr
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
The hi-tech and incredibly useful cable ties. Every household should have lots!
lcpr
Well-known
I received the strap locks in August last year and the straps haven't budged since, that includes several days where I walked up to 10 miles a day on a trip to NYC. Great bag once you sort out the strap issue.
ulrich.von.lich
Well-known
When I bought the PD Sling 5L V1 a few years ago, I noticed the fact that the strap would slip within a day and sent them a note. They engaged in some dialog with me about it over the course of a few emails, and a month or so later they sent me the strap locks which were always included with new bag purchases after that.
I'd already come up with my own solution, which worked fine as long as I maintained it. When I got tired of maintaining it, I put their strap locks on and they've never needed any maintenance since. I was happy to see that their solution was better than mine.
Sorry to hear it caught you out, but honestly I would never presume that a bag or strap needs no maintenance and inspection. I tend to check every strap—every bag—I use every time I take it out to put into service for signs of fatigue and wear, and make whatever adjustments or repairs are needed. It only takes a second or two: I've caught countless minor issues that were fixed in a moment but could have ended up with dumping expensive gear on the ground if neglected. I don't think I can blame PD for a lack of responsiveness or proactive repairs ... the Sling 5L v1 bags are still available but all their in-house stock should have been updated with the strap locks. Perhaps one or another package was missed. They're only human in that regard, I miss plenty of stuff myself.
As always, the person who cares the most about your equipment is you. I spend a few moments checking my equipment every time I go to use it, and that includes all straps and bags. Things wear or don't work to the defined spec all the time: I do this to become aware of the foibles and keep them from getting in the way. I'd suggest adopting a similar policy of vigilance and maintenance to everyone.
G
Class learnt.
From now on I'll always pay more attention to the security of straps and bags, instead of just presuming they are new and such as won't fail.
ulrich.von.lich
Well-known
I've used an Op/Tech USA neck strap for years. Then someone here said their quick release popped and he dropped his Pentax 6x7. I decided I didn't need that or the quick release. So this is my fix:
Camera Strap Security by John Carter, on Flickr
Thanks for sharing your experience of creating your own security solution.
I hope to improve my DIY skills in the future.
ulrich.von.lich
Well-known
Thanks for the feedback.
I do agree it's an excellent bag and takes efficiently a lot of camera equipment of mine.
After the strap issue is solved, I'll be hoping its zip doesn't fail anytime soon.
Brian Atherton
Well-known
Thank you Ulrich for the photos and everyone for their insight into this issue.
I now can see the problem and I’ve checked my bag: the strap slides through the buckle with very little effort.
I haven’t used my Sling much recently, but how my bag hasn’t failed when in use I don’t know, maybe it’s because I don’t carry anything heavy. Who Knows?
I’m getting touch with Peak!
I now can see the problem and I’ve checked my bag: the strap slides through the buckle with very little effort.
I haven’t used my Sling much recently, but how my bag hasn’t failed when in use I don’t know, maybe it’s because I don’t carry anything heavy. Who Knows?
I’m getting touch with Peak!
kuvvy
Well-known
My %l had the issue with the strap and Peak sent me the fixing clips, free if I remember. However, the zips weren't waterproof and while I wanted to like the bag more I found it too small (and I like small bags).
Currently using the Alpaka Air Sling Pro. Tend to use it as a daybag when carrying a small camera and daily stuff. The Billingham Hadley Small and Hadley Pro are used when more room is needed.
Currently using the Alpaka Air Sling Pro. Tend to use it as a daybag when carrying a small camera and daily stuff. The Billingham Hadley Small and Hadley Pro are used when more room is needed.