Beacons- Just buy one.

[S.W.A.T.]

A beacon is just like the FIND button for the cordless phone, you dont have to have it but it sure is handy when your looking for it. Especially if your the one being looked for.

Beacons do have their limits.
1-not all beacons are compatible with one another. Some of the cheaper units will only work with that specific brand where as the higher end models will usually work with some other brands.
2-know how to use it. Beacons are becoming easier and easier to use, but like most things you get what you pay for. I have a mid range model that will tell me what direction i should be headed. If the victim is lucky enough to have the same brand as me it will even tell me how deep.
3-Batteries. Change them!
4-Price. You get what you pay for. Whats the price say on your toe tag?
There are many more pro's and con's but if your ride in the mountains your a fool not to have one.

Stay safe, stay alive to ride another day!

 

[907Riders.com]

Everyone needs a beacon that rides near the mountains

BUT all beacons built in the last ten years work with ALL models/brands.

Bca, pieps, barrymount, SOS yrand many more all operate on the same frequency.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

not true, not all are compatible with each other.

 

[imdoo'n]

not true, not all are compatible with each other.

not sure were you are getting this. unless they are using a different frequency, or are an older model, may not be able to use some of the new features, but industry uses a standard frequency 457 hz. so all transmitters should work with any other beacon out there.
which beacons are you referring to.
take an avi course, get educated as it could be you under the snow.

this rumor just keeps popping up.




friggin rumors

 

[S.W.A.T.]

not sure were you are getting this. unless they are using a different frequency, or are an older model, may not be able to use some of the new features, but industry uses a standard frequency. so all transmitters will and are compatable.
which beacons are you referring to.

this rumor just keeps popping up.




friggin rumors

I tested it personally with different brands 3 years ago when i purchased my last beacon. I was under the same impression that there would be some regulation making them all work together but as the dealer informed me such is not the case. Out of 5 different brands 3 worked together. (the higher end models).

 

[S.W.A.T.]

Obsolete Gear : Gear : Canadian Avalanche Centre : avalanche.ca

 

[RETODD]

Don't matter of they are obsolete or not unless you know how to use them, get a current and compatible model and take a course...digging for dummies is the best way to ensure that you can actually find your buddy.

 

[jonniebud]

my buddy has a 3 atena becon i have a 2 and my other buddy has a single atena becon.all diffrent makes they work together but i find the three atena before my other buddy just standing in the yard and dont even track him till the three is off.the same goes for the three search for me and the guy with the single .the duel is found first.just remember ya get what you pay for.oh by the way if the guy with the single gets barried he well still be found cause we checked the situatiun out be for we rode cheers

 

[ferniesnow]

Obsolete Gear : Gear : Canadian Avalanche Centre : avalanche.ca

They are talking about 25-30 year old beacons from the 80's era. All beacons manufactured today and in the last 10 years work on 457 hz.

If you have beacons that are not on that frequency, recycle them please and get updated with a refresher course or an AST1 course.

 

[dirtycanuck]

I tested it personally with different brands 3 years ago when i purchased my last beacon. I was under the same impression that there would be some regulation making them all work together but as the dealer informed me such is not the case. Out of 5 different brands 3 worked together. (the higher end models).

There might be some misunderstanding with the dealer here, but as has been stated already, anything sold in the last ~10 years transmits at 457 kHz. The newer beacons seem to have less tolerance for drift, and might not pick up your 10 y/old F1 or SOS as quickly but they do work. In my opinion with the money we spend on gas and gear there's no real excuse not to have a newer 3 antenna digital beacon anyway..AND to practice with it. I don't mean to sound preachy and I'm as guilty as most in not practicing enough.

 

[XenOfBC]

Actually, When I was on my CA Lv.1 course this past week, we discovered that there is indeed a problem between the Pulse and the Tracker 2! We had to revert the Pulse to analog in order to find the Tracker 2. Watching aspiring professionals floundering around for over 15 minutes trying to find 3 burials was painful to watch... A few of us were able to come up with the solution, but many people just couldn't figure it out! KNOW YOUR BEACON!!! PRACTICE WITH YOUR FRIENDS BEFORE YOU RIDE!

 

[Orrin]

I just took the field course with Randy at Zacstracs and we used about 4 different brands of beacons and they all worked together just fine. I did take a PIEPS Freeride single antenna with me and found out just what kind of a POS this thing is. If you have one of those I would highly suggest you get rid of it, sure you'll be found eventually but if you have to look for your buddy with it I would say he's a goner.

 

[Maverick]

Just purchased the Tracker 2 ... should I be concerned? Yikes. All reviews stated it is one of the best.

I only assumed it would work with any other device.

I also agree PRACTICE .... PRACTICE .... PRACTICE