airbag backpacks
- Thread starter spooce
- Start date
sledslut
Active VIP Member
ABS, they are nytrogin filled, not co2 the co2 will collaps after a bit.
ABS has something like 26 years of testing, light bag extreamly comfortable.
i tryed on the snow pauls, bca and abs.. walked away with the abs. sure its a bit more but i looked at proven stats not stold stats.
the snow pauls. when i put on a helmet and pulled the trigger i found it pushed the helmet forward and with a jacked and balaclave could restrict breating. so that right there was a HE LL no.
the bca was kinda the same pussed my head forward.
the ABS, was in my opinion best fitting one, and when u blow it off. its beside you, and you can still ride if you need to and have time.
i could go on and on about this.. but just do alot of recearch before you spend the money.
ABS has something like 26 years of testing, light bag extreamly comfortable.
i tryed on the snow pauls, bca and abs.. walked away with the abs. sure its a bit more but i looked at proven stats not stold stats.
the snow pauls. when i put on a helmet and pulled the trigger i found it pushed the helmet forward and with a jacked and balaclave could restrict breating. so that right there was a HE LL no.
the bca was kinda the same pussed my head forward.
the ABS, was in my opinion best fitting one, and when u blow it off. its beside you, and you can still ride if you need to and have time.
i could go on and on about this.. but just do alot of recearch before you spend the money.
sledslut
Active VIP Member
ABS, they are nytrogin filled, not co2 the co2 will collaps after a bit.
ABS has something like 26 years of testing, light bag extreamly comfortable.
i tryed on the snow pauls, bca and abs.. walked away with the abs. sure its a bit more but i looked at proven stats not stold stats.
the snow pauls. when i put on a helmet and pulled the trigger i found it pushed the helmet forward and with a jacked and balaclave could restrict breating. so that right there was a HE LL no.
the bca was kinda the same pussed my head forward.
the ABS, was in my opinion best fitting one, and when u blow it off. its beside you, and you can still ride if you need to and have time.
i could go on and on about this.. but just do alot of recearch before you spend the money.
ABS has something like 26 years of testing, light bag extreamly comfortable.
i tryed on the snow pauls, bca and abs.. walked away with the abs. sure its a bit more but i looked at proven stats not stold stats.
the snow pauls. when i put on a helmet and pulled the trigger i found it pushed the helmet forward and with a jacked and balaclave could restrict breating. so that right there was a HE LL no.
the bca was kinda the same pussed my head forward.
the ABS, was in my opinion best fitting one, and when u blow it off. its beside you, and you can still ride if you need to and have time.
i could go on and on about this.. but just do alot of recearch before you spend the money.
Orrin
Active VIP Member
I bought a BCA Float 30, I'm a big guy and it was the only one that was comfortable for me. I hardly even notice it's on.
MATTIAC
Active VIP Member
I found the snow pulse to be the most comfy. With the compressed dry air you are able to use that air for breathing if need be. Either by popping your bag or using the avalung
I found the bca to show the most failures in deployment with all the reading I've done. The snow pulse also prevents trauma to the head in comparison to bca or abs.
I like the fact with abs you buy the base and can buy different size storage bags to zip on depending on your needs.
I found the bca to show the most failures in deployment with all the reading I've done. The snow pulse also prevents trauma to the head in comparison to bca or abs.
I like the fact with abs you buy the base and can buy different size storage bags to zip on depending on your needs.
- Thread starter
- #6
Thanks for the info guys i have a friend with a snowpulse and he said he likes it because its the only one that wraps aroud your head and down your shoulders but i could see that causing your head to push forward aswell just wanted some extra info before i buy cause their not real cheap my friend never said anything to me about this avalung tho what is that?
Orrin
Active VIP Member
Just curious, because I have a BCA where did you find the stats on failures?
MATTIAC
Active VIP Member
It wasn't stats. It was just many hours of googling and reading MSG boards. It seemed bca owners were the only ones who talk about misfires. Mind you I'm not talking about a lot just they were the only ones who had seen problems.
Here is one I pulled from another forum I'm on
I own a BCA Float 30 avalanche backpack. This weekend was my last ride of the season so I pulled the rip cord at home after riding to test it and discharge the pack for refilling.
THE CORD RIPPED OUT OF THE PACK, BROKE, AND DID NOT DISCHARGE !!!
Please, PLEASE if you have this brand/model of avalanche pack (or any other brand model) Give it a test and pull your cord; your life depends upon it.
Makes me sick to think about it and Jodie got pale when she watched it.
http://www.backcount....ts/Float30.php
After reading more on this thread. Bca was very helpful and had their engineers examining the backpack and claimed this is the first time they have seen an issue like this.
Also I was wrong about the avalung. It's a stand alone unit www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/ski/avalung/avalung-ii/
Here is one I pulled from another forum I'm on
I own a BCA Float 30 avalanche backpack. This weekend was my last ride of the season so I pulled the rip cord at home after riding to test it and discharge the pack for refilling.
THE CORD RIPPED OUT OF THE PACK, BROKE, AND DID NOT DISCHARGE !!!
Please, PLEASE if you have this brand/model of avalanche pack (or any other brand model) Give it a test and pull your cord; your life depends upon it.
Makes me sick to think about it and Jodie got pale when she watched it.
http://www.backcount....ts/Float30.php
After reading more on this thread. Bca was very helpful and had their engineers examining the backpack and claimed this is the first time they have seen an issue like this.
Also I was wrong about the avalung. It's a stand alone unit www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/ski/avalung/avalung-ii/
pwdrhnd
Active member
I use a snow pulse with the big storage, comfortable and lots of storage.
thumperracing
Active VIP Member
snow pulse because when it is deployed it is built to help hold "c-spine" and it only cost like $20 dollars or something to get it refilled at the dealer you got it from.
git r done
Active VIP Member
i just got the mono abs bag today and i pulled the trigger a couple of times in the house to see what it was like.
then i go on thier website and see that this is not to be done without the canister because it may damage the firing pin. just wondering if anyone has any info on this
then i go on thier website and see that this is not to be done without the canister because it may damage the firing pin. just wondering if anyone has any info on this
Caper11
Active VIP Member
I'd recommend sending it out for inspection or bite the bullet load a cylinder in it and deploy the bag. I don't know how hard you pulled on your trigger but you may need another one now, because thay are only a 1 time pull trigger.
moyiesledhead
Active VIP Member
My son has an ABS, my daughter has a BCA, and I have a Snowpulse.
ABS - minus's: Have to send away for refill and new trip handle after you use it. Floats you in a head down position. No gauge to see state of cylinder fill, you have to weigh it. plus's: I like the adjustability of the trip handle location.
BCA - minus's: I personally don't like using my left hand to trip it. I'm predominantly right handed and it just feels un-natural. Bag is a bit hard to repack. You have to pretty much empty the whole pack to check the cylinder pressure. Floats you in a face down position. Plus's: Probably the most comfortable of the three. I can refill the cylinder myself from a scuba tank. Comes with the orings and silicone grease you need to do refills. Dual crotch straps instead of just one. Most reasonably priced of the three.
Snowpulse - minus's: The trip handle is too high on my shoulder for my liking. The handle tends to lay down and be a bit more difficult to find (I fixed that with some rigid plastic tubing). You have to order an o-ring kit seperately before you can refill it. Plus's: Floats you in a head up position. Trauma protection. I can do my own cylinder refills. The cylinder is easier to get at to check pressure than the BCA.
If I had to choose my favorite it would be the Snowpulse, but any one of them is sooooo much better than not having one. :d
I'd like to try an Avi-vest next. I really hate wearing a pack!
ABS - minus's: Have to send away for refill and new trip handle after you use it. Floats you in a head down position. No gauge to see state of cylinder fill, you have to weigh it. plus's: I like the adjustability of the trip handle location.
BCA - minus's: I personally don't like using my left hand to trip it. I'm predominantly right handed and it just feels un-natural. Bag is a bit hard to repack. You have to pretty much empty the whole pack to check the cylinder pressure. Floats you in a face down position. Plus's: Probably the most comfortable of the three. I can refill the cylinder myself from a scuba tank. Comes with the orings and silicone grease you need to do refills. Dual crotch straps instead of just one. Most reasonably priced of the three.
Snowpulse - minus's: The trip handle is too high on my shoulder for my liking. The handle tends to lay down and be a bit more difficult to find (I fixed that with some rigid plastic tubing). You have to order an o-ring kit seperately before you can refill it. Plus's: Floats you in a head up position. Trauma protection. I can do my own cylinder refills. The cylinder is easier to get at to check pressure than the BCA.
If I had to choose my favorite it would be the Snowpulse, but any one of them is sooooo much better than not having one. :d
I'd like to try an Avi-vest next. I really hate wearing a pack!
Last edited:
overkill131313
Active VIP Member
I like my avy vest.......have not needed to pull it yet but the armor has saved my ribs lots this winter...... and it has all my gear in it, and keeps me warmer! I dont run my liner in my jacket now!
-lenny-
Active VIP Member
I've been running my ABS Escape 15 for 4 years. Would not ride without it. Way more options now, makes the decision a lot harder. If I had to buy a new bag tomorrow, I would get another ABS.
tmix
Active VIP Member
There all good if it saves lives!
Common misconception. Any competent dealer who sells the bags would also stock the triggers and canisters.
You forget the added BONUS of this feature. They are filled and controlled by ABS. It isn't some random who's had a 1 hours course on filling bottles. IMO, A HUGE bonus. Swing by the dealer, trade it up, make sure it's the right weight (gram scales are cheap, letter scales work too) and you KNOW you are good to go.
Mission Snow and Skate on 17th and also Kensington in Calgary sells the bags AND bottles/triggers (40$), as well as Bow (last time I checked).
DV-ENT
Active VIP Member
Mountain equiptment coop also sells replacement canisters and triggers
moyiesledhead
Active VIP Member
Ya well, it aint rocket science filling an air cylinder from a scuba tank. Cool the cylinder first, SLOWLY fill it till the gauge(s) points where it's supposed to.....actually come to think of it, a 1 hour course would pretty much make him a genius!
The HUGE bonus for me is not having to weigh the cylinder to see if it's full like you do with an ABS! I can check the gauge on my Snowpulse while I'm putting my lunch in my pack.
0neoldfart
Active VIP Member
I did a bunch of research and ended up with Snowpulse. I wear the highmark 22 over a tek-vest, and find it quite comfortable. My wife has the new snowpulse vest with armour, it is very lightweight and not cumbersome to wear. I do like the idea of c-spine protection, I know a fellow who was caught in an avy that ran him through the trees (no avy bag on), which resulted in a broken neck. He fully recovered with no ill effects, but he's the exception to the rule. My wife 's neck was broken in an MVA many years ago, so c-spine protection is a must in my opininon. Anothe nice feature is that the bottle does have a guage (as mentioned above) to indicate state of charge. I carry two spare cylinders with me in the trailer when we ride in case of accidental deployment. No matter which route you take, avy training is a must, and pack enough with you to survive a night or two on the mountain - better to come home late then not at all.
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