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09-25-2010, 07:08 PM
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#1
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Pete K.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,953
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Princton Tec quality & customer service fyi
I firmly believe in sharing information, (good and bad) about products and companies that we as surfcasters use, and often depend on for our safety ...
I have been getting tired of cheap home depot headlamps failing when I need them most (like the south side of block on a new moon!!!) after only a few outings and mild splashes, so i decided to look for a high quality, waterproof light that offered a red light that I could turn on and off without cycling through different white modes. I wanted a light I could cont on... after reading up on lights, I decided to go with the Princton Tec Quad Tactical... (their site said Our troops in Iqaq depend on them)
My experience with quality: Light has completely, suddenly, stopped finctioning after less than 5 weeks... unacceptable.
At least they have a lifetime warranty... no problem, I'll send it to new jersey and get it replaced quickly so I can quickly get back to business... right? WRONG.
My experience with customer service:
Sent it in over 3 weeks ago, said they would either repair or replace... Called last week, they said it was being shipped friday morning. All week goes by, I call and leave a message with a woman that sounds like my call is interrupting her crossword and coffee that has been my contact person. No response, I call again the next day, she says "is this Pete?" sorry I didnt call you... your light should be sent out in a day or 2... we were waiting for a part."
Who knows whats going on, or if I'll even get the thing in time to use it fishing, as I burn through crappy light week after week...
Not to mention, WHEN the light is actually working, the red filter screen blocks so much light, it's almost unusable.
Customer service is everything these days... many companies make junk, treat customers with a low priority, and then blame the poor economy for slow sales....
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09-25-2010, 07:20 PM
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#2
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Soggy Bottom Boy
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Billerica, Ma.
Posts: 7,260
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ivanputski
Customer service is everything these days... many companies make junk, treat customers with a low priority, and then blame the poor economy for slow sales....
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So true, |
Surfcasting Full Throttle
Don't judge me Monkey 
Recreational Surfcaster 99.9% C&R
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09-25-2010, 07:40 PM
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#3
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...
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MA/RI
Posts: 2,411
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I had a Princeton Tec that was purchased at REI which after a year the lens cracked. In preparation for a light failure I saved the receipt and returned it for an instant exchange.
It is good practice to save all receipts.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
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09-26-2010, 04:07 AM
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#4
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Permanently Disconnected
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,647
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princeton tec has always done me right.
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09-26-2010, 05:01 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 25
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Purchase from LL Bean. Replacement is on the spot w/o question. No receipt required.
If a refund is desired, save receipt or else the refund will be at the sale price if item had been or is on sale.
LLB continues with outstanding customer service.
Recently had a friend whose fly reel (made bt STH) siezed. Reel was last carried by LLB in 1996.
Customer Service traced item to 1996 catalog, where it was last offered, and refunded full amount for reel and extra spool. Customer purchased new reel and spool - new backing placed on reel and extra spool at no charge in consideration of product's failure and resulting inconvenience.
PS- if item out of store stock they will waive shipping charge for the shipping from main store or vendor.
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09-26-2010, 06:17 AM
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#6
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Callinectes sapidus
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,277
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I too find the LLB warranty UNBELIEVABLE. It makes me want to make all of my outdoor purchases with them. Their warranty alone should make them "KING". The warranty carries over to ALL of their products, not just LLB named products. 
Not to steal your thunder, but I too agree...Customer Service is a critical component of a business transaction nowadays, especially when warranties or if problems may come into the equation.
All that being said, I have a Wally RayoVac well over 5 years old (I lost count) that has yet to let me down, albeit battery replacements...and YES, it's been splashed, crashed even knocked off the caboggin only to be found on the ocean floor...via the light that was ...yep, still on. Perhaps I've been lucky. I don't rinse it, or "maintenance" it....but yet, it still keeps on goin. It too has a lifetime warranty that I have yet to use. Although I have a buddy who'll be testing that warranty sooooon. |
 ... it finally happened, there are no more secret spots
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09-26-2010, 06:30 AM
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#7
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Oblivious // Grunt, Grunt Master
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: over the hill
Posts: 6,682
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter D
Recently had a friend whose fly reel (made bt STH) siezed. Reel was last carried by LLB in 1996.
Customer Service traced item to 1996 catalog, where it was last offered, and refunded full amount for reel and extra spool. Customer purchased new reel and spool - new backing placed on reel and extra spool at no charge in consideration of product's failure and resulting inconvenience.
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You're friends with a worm? |
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09-26-2010, 06:46 AM
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#8
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Pete K.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,953
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The wally world rayovac has been my favorite light for 4 years now, but I lost it when A wave covered me during a heavy surf outing 3 weeks ago. I wish I could find another one!
Last edited by ivanputski; 09-26-2010 at 08:03 AM..
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09-26-2010, 07:19 AM
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#9
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Callinectes sapidus
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,277
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ivanputski
..........I wish I could find another one!
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For some odd reason...  ....they stop making things that last too long, especially when they were inexpensive to begin with....  |
... it finally happened, there are no more secret spots
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09-26-2010, 07:31 AM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Libtardia
Posts: 21,690
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Love my Wally world rayovac. When I heard the stopes making them I bought a couple
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
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09-26-2010, 08:06 AM
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#11
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Soggy Bottom Boy
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Billerica, Ma.
Posts: 7,260
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ivanputski
The wally world rayovac has been my favorite light for 4 years now, but I lost it when A wave covered me during a heavy surf outing 3 weeks ago. I wish I could find another one!
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Did you check eBay I got mine there for 10 bucks a piece |
Surfcasting Full Throttle
Don't judge me Monkey
Recreational Surfcaster 99.9% C&R
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09-26-2010, 08:13 AM
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#12
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Trophy Hunter Apprentice
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: THE Other Cape
Posts: 2,508
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another vote for Wally's RayoVac~~
been dunked, banged around, survived 3 seasons in tha surf,,,,,
i've only had to dry it out, and replace batt's when needed. didn't know they stopped making them
will have to find me some more. sorry about Princeton's BS!!
good luck and i hope to feesh with ya for the MS in WKPG, or the HABS.
Peter, if you're going to Striperfest on the Cape next w/e, then maybe i'll sea ya there,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, |
"The first condition of happiness is that the connection
between man and nature shall not be broken."~~ Leo Tolstoy
Tight Lines, and
Happy Hunting to ALL!
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09-26-2010, 08:42 AM
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#13
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Keep The Change
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: The Road to Serfdom
Posts: 3,275
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WOW, I have had GREAT luck with Priceton Tec. Had one I dropped and brok, emailed hem a photo and they shipped me a new body, had it in a couple of days. They also sent me new headbands for two older headlamps that needed new straps..
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“It’s not up to the courts to invent new minorities that get special protections,” Antonin Scalia
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09-26-2010, 09:53 AM
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Easton, MA
Posts: 5,737
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If anyone's looking for a backup lamp, #^&#^&#^&#^&'s Sporting Goods had the Princeton Tec Aurora on clearance for $9.97 on Friday. I grabbed one, and once I got home, I realized I should have picked up a few for that price. This is at the location in Brockton, MA. Not sure if it's chain wide or just there.
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Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them tools at their disposal that make it possible for them to access all the hope, all the promise, all the opportunity that America offers. - Marco Rubio
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09-26-2010, 09:55 AM
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#15
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Old Guy
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Mansfield, MA
Posts: 8,760
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bloocrab
I too find the LLB warranty UNBELIEVABLE. It makes me want to make all of my outdoor purchases with them. Their warranty alone should make them "KING". The warranty carries over to ALL of their products, not just LLB named products.
Not to steal your thunder, but I too agree...Customer Service is a critical component of a business transaction nowadays, especially when warranties or if problems may come into the equation. |
LL is amazing, they are tracking your returns now, however, they still spend a significant amount on returns. |
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09-26-2010, 10:58 AM
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#16
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 25
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If purchase is in cash and item returned with receipt for cash there is no tracking.
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09-26-2010, 11:33 AM
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#17
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Old Guy
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Mansfield, MA
Posts: 8,760
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they ask for you drivers license upon return
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09-26-2010, 11:35 AM
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#18
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Old Guy
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Mansfield, MA
Posts: 8,760
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they ask for you drivers license upon return
and they try to give store credit not money back
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09-26-2010, 12:36 PM
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#19
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Great White Scup Hunter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: In the Corner...
Posts: 2,251
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Check out the underwater Kinetics,,
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09-27-2010, 07:26 AM
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#21
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: North Branford,Ct.
Posts: 7,654
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Pete, The Rayovac light has been my go to light since my first days of surfishing. I to needed a replacement after 7 seasons. Couldn't find one. I called Salywater edge. They had some and bought a few for the club and also one for myself. They might still carry these lights. Give them a shout.
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Billy D.
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09-27-2010, 07:29 AM
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#22
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All up in the Interweb!
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: In the dog house.
Posts: 5,205
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GattaFish
Check out the underwater Kinetics,,
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I have been using the Vizion all season and LOVE it. |
Co-Host of The Surfcast Podcast
"Out there in the surf is where it's at, that's where the line gets drawn in the sand between those who talk fishing and those who live it."
- a wise man. 
One good fish, a sharpie does not make...
Certified rock hopping billy goat.
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09-27-2010, 07:39 AM
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#23
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Georgetown MA
Posts: 18,203
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I'll put in a vote for the Wally World Rayovac too........$13 and I've never had any issues, other than losing them, with it. Batteries last for a whole season. I use it camping as well as fishing too....
don't have to cycle through whites to get to red either. switch to the left for red and to the right for white
I still see them at the Wally Worlds in my neck of the woods....just bought one a couple of months ago.
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"If you're arguing with an idiot, make sure he isn't doing the same thing."
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09-27-2010, 08:39 AM
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#24
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Mid Coastal CT
Posts: 2,006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tlapinski
I have been using the Vizion all season and LOVE it.
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This is my second season with it. AWESOME light! |
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10-01-2010, 02:34 PM
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#25
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by striperman36
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Home Depot has them in their flashlight aisle but they're more expensive. Your place is a much better deal! |
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10-01-2010, 02:43 PM
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#26
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On a Rock in the Dark
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wakefield, RI
Posts: 50
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I also vote for Underwater Kinetics, this is a company that make diving lights. It works great for me. If you set it to Red every time you turn it on it will stay Red.
Last edited by RI Plugger; 10-01-2010 at 02:59 PM..
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All truth passes through three stages.
First, it is ridiculed.
Second, it is violently opposed.
Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
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10-01-2010, 03:02 PM
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#27
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: N.K.
Posts: 1,330
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RI Plugger
I also vote for Underwater Kinetics, this is a company that make diving lights. I works great for me. If you set it to Red every time you turn it on will stay Red.
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I had the uk vizion headlight.Lasted a little less than one season.May want to smear some dielectric grease on the contacts and remove the batteries if your not using it for long periods of time.Mine corroded from the inside after a few weeks off without use.I have a princeton tec now.Still going strong after a season and change.Time will tell. |
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10-01-2010, 03:40 PM
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#28
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Pete K.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,953
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Finally got my light back... it was a brand new one... after a month of them "waiting for a part"
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10-01-2010, 04:25 PM
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#29
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Northport,NY
Posts: 172
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam_777
May want to smear some dielectric grease on the contacts and remove the batteries if your not using it for long periods of time.
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That is a great tip. Thanks |
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10-02-2010, 09:21 AM
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#30
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: People's Republic
Posts: 1,025
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I have been using the Ray O Vac headlamp for years. The only problem that I have had is the straps loosing their elasticity over time. I might be because I have a big head.
I bought four last year on Amazon. They are out there if you look hard enough.
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