Busted! Cheap Counterfeit & Knock-Off Peak Design Anchor Links Can Put Your Camera at Risk

Watch out for knockoff and counterfeit Peak Design Anchor Links. Knockoffs look remarkably comparable however lack the PD model identify. Counterfeits are manufactured to look identical to the real article and are offered by unscrupulous retailers as genuine—though they’re fakes. In both case, once you attempt to save a pair bucks and find yourself with an imitation, you’re risking the protection of your camera.

The Peak Design Anchor Link system is wildly well-liked with skilled and newbie photographers worldwide, and their sterling popularity is nicely deserved.  Real Anchor Links are sturdy—they maintain 200 kilos (90kg) every—and so they’re terribly handy.

It’s not completely stunning that some lowlifes are trying to money in on Peak Design’s success by copying the system illegally. Success typically spawns copycats.

Peak Design Anchor Links are protected by US Patents, however that doesn’t cease dishonest retailers from exploiting customers who wish to save somewhat dough.

Peak Design has already obtained three contacts from prospects reaching out about counterfeit merchandise they bought from the identical on-line retailer—merchandise that had been marketed as actual Peak Design Anchor Links however have been confirmed to be faux by PD engineers.

Methods to Spot a Counterfeit
The large query is that this: what number of customers have been duped and purchased faux connectors however don’t realize it but? They might discover out the onerous means. Worse but, if you happen to purchase a set of hyperlinks considering that they’re the true McCoy and so they break, who ya gonna blame?

PD engineers advised us that the “inside shade of the counterfeit anchors [they encountered] was improper, the spring was not flush and was not very tight.” Additionally, “the general color of anchor disks was improper and felt like a distinct materials. And the QC sticker was shut however not fairly correct.”

Legit Anchor attachments are both black with a pink exterior ring or all black.

When these specific imitation hyperlinks failed, the twine ripped out of the disk thereby risking camera injury. When Peak Design obtained experiences of those merchandise, they reached out to the retailer to have the merchandise eliminated.

Is it Actual or a Knockoff?
What separates a knockoff from a counterfeit is how diligently the crooked producer tried to repeat the unique. Most knockoffs lack the brand and different particulars from the anchor disks and are typically a distinct shade. And knockoffs are usually not labeled Peak Design, though authenticity is commonly implied.

Peak Design advised us they’re conscious that there are “loads of knockoff manufacturers on the market” though Peak Design holds the patent to the design. PD is actively working to take away these knockoffs from {the marketplace} however that’s an arduous and typically futile battle.

Methods to Defend Your self
You already know all this. The primary rule of shopper safety is to purchase from a good retailer. If you happen to order from a web based supply or public sale platform, verify the true identification of the vendor behind the itemizing. The unhappy reality on some buying websites is that you could be be coping with a 3rd occasion scarcely seen within the background.

And there’s reality in that outdated maxim that, “If the deal appears too good to be true, it’s in all probability not.” When unsure, bail.

PD presents a wide range of excellent straps that use Anchor Links. To be taught extra about their full lineup, learn this Shutterbug story from earlier this year: Peak Design Camera Straps are the Most Revolutionary within the World.

WotanCraft, one among our favourite camera bag and accent producers, makes use of real Anchor Links on handcrafted leather-based straps, which we coated right here: NEW: WotanCraft Real Leather-based Camera Straps.

Conclusion
Would you let a faceless stranger pack your parachute? Or fill your kiddo’s soup thermos? We hate to see customers get ripped off and we particularly hate to witness cameras needlessly falling to their dying. Purchase from a retailer with whom you may have a long run relationship, a seller you belief. Or order directly from Peak Design if you happen to’re as cautious as we’re.

—Jon Sienkiewicz