Heads up for all who own an SOSpender inflateable life jacket

Pete McMiller

Pete McMiller

Well-known member
After my recent incident when my anchor line got stuck on my inflater and popped it when I was picking up I went back to Cabelas to get a spare inflater CO2 cartridge. I had purchased a spare when I first got my SOSpenders 5 years ago and used it to rearm the jacket but still wanted a spare.

I looked in Cabelas for the same cartridge and couldn't find one. The salesperson told me that they changed the cartridge thread size two years ago to a much larger diameter. The old style cartridges were no longer available. I thought I was screwed and told him so and he said they were exchanging the old style for the new style with no usage penalty. The next day I brought my vest back and got full credit towards a new one. Unfortunately the camo style of the vest I had was back ordered until maybe next hunting season so I got a Cabelas brand instead.

According to the salesperson the change took place about two years ago. The old style threads were about 1/4" or 5/16" diameter and the new style look to be about 3/8" or 7/16".

I could have held on to my vest and still used it until I needed another cartridge but I figured they might not be in a position to honor the exchange at that time.

Pete
 
Pete,
I have one of those too and appreciate the info. Would be a damn shame to discover this after they changed their mind about exchanging the old for the new. Either an adapter or would it really be a big problem to keep the old ones in stock??? I am going to dig mine out right now and check. Thanks again!!
Shiny side up,
Wicker T & Walker
 
Thanks Pete,

Do you know if the exchange only applies to the SOSpender or to the belt models as well?

Does it apply only to purchases made at Cabela's or other stores?

I bought an automatic Shadowgrass SOSpender at Gander Mountain a couple years ago. I thought it would be perfect for waterfowing. However, I returned it and got a manual Shadowgrass belt model. After reading the instructions, I was afraid it would go off unexpectedly while using it in the rain or after repeated exposure to moisture or high humidity. Also, I didn't care for having it interfering with my gun mount.

I like the belt model but, I guess if I were to be knocked unconscious and into the water, then the belt model would not do much good to keep my head above water. But hey, I'd rather go out while waterfowling than to meet my end in a nursing home anyway.

Pete & Lee, do you guys have the auto or manual models? How do you guys like yours? I didn't catch Pete's other post about having it go off while picking up decoys.

Thanks,

Rich R.
 
Mine is a manual pull to inflate. Never pulled it though so not even sure it would work..bet it does though after Pete's experience. I like it sisnce it's small and flat..I hardly ever snap the waist belt though. I use other PFD's in the boat to sit on also. I have been religiously wearing mine now since I started taking the Grandson with me..if it was just me then I'd be more forgetful probably but with him along I want maximum safety on my side.
 
Rich,

I looked on Stearns web site and didn't see anything about an exchange or even that they had changed anything. I think Cabelas is doing it on their own as a customer service, at least that is what my perception is.

I had the vest model of the SOSpenders and now the vest model of the Cabela's knock off. I like it and wear it all the time while underway, picking up, etc. The only time I forget is when I have to chase a cripple and I'll try to put that into my routine also. I have shot with it on during the early season but later on I have so many clothes on anyway that I could never get my gun to my shoulder.

Mine is the manual model as I didn't want it going off when (not if) I trip on an underwater stump or root. Mine only went off when I got the anchor line wrapped around the inflater thingy and tossed the anchor out - POP!

Check with the store you bought it from and see what they say.

Pete
 
First thing I'd do is take the old cartridge and/or the vest to a scuba shop. They use CO2 inflaters, too. Theirs might fit yours.
 
First of all I don't know of any scuba gear that uses CO2 inflaters. Maybe years and years ago but not in the time I have been diving (10 years). A CO2 inflater on a BC is a recipe for disaster.

Secondly, the CO2 inflaters that come with the life vests are specific to the size of the vest ie. 38 gram or 33 gram are specific for the volume of the vest you put them on. I'd hate to pull the cord on a vest and have it overexpand and blow a seal when I really needed it. Also, some of the new inflaters have a specific bayonette mount that only fits into a certain vest.

Don't go 'cheap and dirty' on your life.

Pete
 
I was thinking of the old 'horse collar' vests of years ago. All I was saying was a CO2 cartridge of xx grams with the right thread is the right cartridge for your vest, regardless of where it's sold. It could come from a food service supply and it'd still work. As long as it's the right size, pressure and thread. Look around before trashing your vest.
I'm not saying cheap and dirty or anything like that. I'm just saying do your homework before you toss the vest in the heap. There might be another source for your item.
 
I would look at the CO2 cartridges used for bb guns or airsoft guns. A 33 gram cartridge is a 33 gram cartridge (or whatever it takes) You can be certain that SOSpenders did not make their own CO2 cartridge (to expensive when it can be bought anywhere - why re-invent the wheel?). I would wonder why they changed the thread - can you say lawsuit amybe?

I would take the vest out shopping and find a cartridge that fits the threads of the vest. Naturally, I'd replace the vest as Pete did if that is honored everywhere and not just Cabelas.

Mark W
 
Most BB guns use 12gr CO2 powerlets. The ones in the vest are pretty big. I've never really looked at the mechanics of it...it seems to me the CO2 "powerlet" fits in a plastic tube and pulling the yellow rip cord pierces the top of it releasing the CO2 into the floatation chambers. I don't think my "powerlet" is threaded but it slips into an o-ring for a seal. Hmmm have to look at it tonight and see what I have.
 
You don't know how many different kinds of mini CO2 cyllinders there are until you go looking for the one that fits your vest. I went through the same thing last year when I decided to test my SOS belt after 5 years (it still worked).

I had a really difficult time locating a replacement. All the usual places did not have one that fit, I finally find one at Landfall Navigation. Now I have three spares.
 
Landfall is a great source for that kind of stuff. I got my float coat there. Good prices and hardfore marine stuff.
 
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