Yes Chris, I have. Vince has been very responsive. I contacted him last Friday to tell him the replacement band had not arrived yet. He replied that he would have expected it by now and he wanted to check with the other US person who he sent one to, and that person has not received it either. So, customs must think it's a dangerous package or something! 
I trust developers and manufacturers to know their product better than I do. While I have my doubts about Atik's solution, I will trust they are correct until I have the opportunity to test it. I'm just getting tired of waiting for a small package that should be here by now.