Mustang Survival Elite HIT Inflatable PFD Rearming Kit ~ The Saga

[A-Jay]

If you have auto inflated PFD's, now's a good time to check them for serviceability. 

 

A week or so back, I ordered/purchased a pair of these online from Cabelas as my current units expired at the end of 2020 .

Admittedly I was a little surprised at the $79 price tag but whatever.

So they arrived a few days later- but they sent me expired units; a 2019 and a 2020; nice.

Spent 45 minutes on the phone with Customer service.

They were polite & professional and helped with the return process.

They apologized and I was ensured that this would not happen again.

So I ordered two more.

Guess who just got two more EXPIRED units ?

This guy. 

Both 2019 this time 

Yup, I'm that dumb. 

Fortunately, I waited before returning the first two, so if by chance it happened again,

I could use the pre-paid FEDEX shipping label they sent for all FOUR.

Just dropped off the box. 

So, the search continues.

Inventory seems to be low many places.

A-Jay

 

[MN Fisher]

18 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Guess who just got two more EXPIRED units ?

Why do they have expired re-arm kits even in inventory?

[Way2slow]

At least you came out better than I did on some SOS.  Years back, I order two SOS auto inflate vest on sale from an online source.  They came in with expired kits in them.  Figured that was why they were on sale but even then, they were still cheaper than BPS, so I order two kits, back then they were about $30 each.  Got the two kits and they were also expired.  Called the seller, he said not to pay any attention to those dates, there was nothing in them to go bad and refused to make them good or refund my money.  Finally got VISA to make a claim and two months later, got refunded.

[A-Jay]

47 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Why do they have expired re-arm kits even in inventory?

Good Question.

Especially in the case of the THREE 2019 jobs they sent me that are 2 years past toast.

Someone needs training.

A-Jay

[Alex from GA]

I just inquired what basspro pays their employees and it's from $10 to $13.  What kind of people are you going to get for that $?

[Way2slow]

About twice as good as the fast food places.  $13 per hour is considered a pretty good job in middle GA, especially if they have any insurance benefits.

$8 and no benefits is very  common.

[GaryH]

AJ Amazon has all 4 sizes in stock. 

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, GaryH said:

AJ Amazon has all 4 sizes in stock. 

Thank you -- 

Still no way to know what you're going to get.

I've got emails out to 3 vendors inquiring as to what the expiration date on the units they are selling actually is.

No reply means no order.

A-Jay

[GaryH]

49 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Thank you -- 

Still no way to know what you're going to get.

I've got emails out to 3 vendors inquiring as to what the expiration date on the units they are selling actually is.

No reply means no order.

A-Jay

I don’t blame you. I just changed mine a couple month’s ago. Luckily they were good. 

[Way2slow]

I believe I would try my luck here.  After my first episode with arming kits, I've always gone with the manufacture, cost a little more but they have always had very good dates on them.

 

https://mustangsurvival.com/products/auto-hydrostatic-33g-re-arm-kit-b-ma5283?_pos=5&_sid=0f1415983&_ss=r

 

 

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, Way2slow said:

I believe I would try my luck here.  After my first episode with arming kits, I've always gone with the manufacture, cost a little more but they have always had very good dates on them.

 

https://mustangsurvival.com/products/auto-hydrostatic-33g-re-arm-kit-b-ma5283?_pos=5&_sid=0f1415983&_ss=r

I always go with Mustang first but the unit I need is sold out and has beedn for a while.

btw - that link is not it.

A-Jay

[Way2slow]

"Out of Stock", that seems to be the national theme these days.  

[K1500]

Same date check is appropriate with signaling pyrotechnics. Some stores have out of date or nearly out of date stock. 

[A-Jay]

OK, so it's been a few days since I contacted 3 vendors

asking what the expiration date of the units they would sell me would be.

It was over a a weekend but still - crickets . . . . . .

I broke down & took a flyer by ordering a pair from Amazon.

They are 'in the mail' so I guess we'll see.

More to follow.

I can't be the only snapperhead that needs to re-charge a PFD.

A-Jay

 

[GaryH]

59 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

OK, so it's been a few days since I contacted 3 vendors

asking what the expiration date of the units they would sell me would be.

It was over a a weekend but still - crickets . . . . . .

I broke down & took a flyer by ordering a pair from Amazon.

They are 'in the mail' so I guess we'll see.

More to follow.

I can't be the only snapperhead that needs to re-charge a PFD.

A-Jay

 

Good luck SH ??????

[NYWayfarer]

On 3/22/2021 at 6:55 PM, A-Jay said:

OK, so it's been a few days since I contacted 3 vendors

asking what the expiration date of the units they would sell me would be.

It was over a a weekend but still - crickets . . . . . .

I broke down & took a flyer by ordering a pair from Amazon.

They are 'in the mail' so I guess we'll see.

More to follow.

I can't be the only snapperhead that needs to re-charge a PFD.

A-Jay

 

Good luck on your hunt.

 

I gave up on the inflatable PFD 2 years ago.
 

I like my new vest as it has plenty of pockets. Great for a kayak fishing session. Probably not what your looking for on the Lund ?

 

 

[A-Jay]

51 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

Good luck on your hunt.

 

I gave up on the inflatable PFD 2 years ago.
 

I like my new vest as it has plenty of pockets. Great for a kayak fishing session. Probably not what your looking for on the Lund ?

 

 

Thanks, 

I have a  couple of regular non - inflatable Life Jackets to wear in the mean time.

They're can be a little much once it warms up though.

A-Jay

[A-Jay]

Amazon.com came through with the goods ~

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised but I am.

 

 

A-Jay

 

[zeth]

I'll stick with My Spinlock. All you really need to change is the bobbin that has the paper in it. I wonder if you can buy just the bobbin and not an entire re-arm kit. I don't see how a cartridge can go bad.

ahh see your pics. that looks more complicated than mine. 

[@reelChris]

Bass PROOOOOOOO!!!!  Because of this thread, I just checked the bobbins in the two A/M 24's I bought during the sale a couple of weeks ago.  Yup, expired in 10/2020.  Back to the store they go.

 

Thanks A-Jay, I wouldn't even have thought to look had you not said anything.  

[A-Jay]

8 hours ago, @reelChris said:

Bass PROOOOOOOO!!!!  Because of this thread, I just checked the bobbins in the two A/M 24's I bought during the sale a couple of weeks ago.  Yup, expired in 10/2020.  Back to the store they go.

 

Thanks A-Jay, I wouldn't even have thought to look had you not said anything.  

 And THAT's what this forum is All About ~

Very Glad.

A-Jay

 

[GreenPig]

Glad you got some good kits. Just checked my Mustang Survival Elite HIT and it expired in 2020. Ordering from Amazon. Thanks A-Jay. 

[A-Jay]

6 minutes ago, GreenPig said:

Glad you got some good kits. Just checked my Mustang Survival Elite HIT and it expired in 2020. Ordering from Amazon. Thanks A-Jay. 

Just finished re-arming my units.

Btw, if the gas hasn't been discharged, still showing green, you can re-use it and save the new one for if and when it does. 

Stay Safe

A-Jay

[Tennessee Boy]

It's odd that you can buy the PFD direct from Mustang but you have to buy the re-arm kit from a dealer.

[J Francho]

Not really. Most manufacturers aren't really well set up for retail sales, let alone retail inventory. 
 

@A-Jay as I read this I kept thinking why doesn't he just order them from Amazon, lol. You figured it out though.