Best beacon? 2018/2019

[skegpro]

Need a new beacon.

What's the best?
What isn't?

 

[JustinMan43]

I use an Ortovox 3+ and have no complaints. Extremely easy to use, good battery life and can handle multiple burials. As far as I'm aware the Mammut Barryvox is one of the best beacons on the market, but is on the expensive side for sure

 

[ferniesnow]

I use an Ortovox 3+ and have no complaints. Extremely easy to use, good battery life and can handle multiple burials. As far as I'm aware the Mammut Barryvox is one of the best beacons on the market, but is on the expensive side for sure

Maybe that is why it is expensive.

I use the Barryvox Pulse and I like it. Great for a group check and great for multiple burials (apparently).

 

[Dawizman]

I've been happy with my BCA Tracker 3 transceivers. I've read they aren't as great as other transceivers during multiple burials, but in testing mine has worked fine.

 

[SHREK1]

If you haven’t taken a avy course take one and you will soon find out, then it’s preference. I like the tracker

 

[skegpro]

If you haven’t taken a avy course take one and you will soon find out, then it’s preference. I like the tracker

I have, just wondering if anything new came out in the last year or two that a guy should be aware of.

That mammut looks good, but also looks really big...

Pieps sport or Pro maybe?

 

[dooin800]

I really like the BarryVoxS, Its a little smaller than my old Tracker 2

 

[lilduke]

I have, just wondering if anything new came out in the last year or two that a guy should be aware of.

That mammut looks good, but also looks really big...

Pieps sport or Pro maybe?

I had the pieps sport and it was a POS.

 

[Bnorth]

I had the pieps sport and it was a POS.

What didn't you like?

 

[lilduke]

What didn't you like?

The display, the locking mechanism or the durability.

Had the thing for about a week, broke it and pieps wouldn't help me out. Never have broken a beacon before or since.

It looks cool with the green see through plastic, but it's junk.

I'd never personally buy any thing from pieps again.


I like BCA products, but ortovx and mammut have some nice features on their high end stuff.

 

[Bnorth]

The display, the locking mechanism or the durability.

Had the thing for about a week, broke it and pieps wouldn't help me out. Never have broken a beacon before or since.

It looks cool with the green see through plastic, but it's junk.

I'd never personally buy any thing from pieps again.


I like BCA products, but ortovx and mammut have some nice features on their high end stuff.

Thanks. Mine has a few issues as well but overall still prefer it to the Tracker 2 it replaced.

 

[Summitric]

HERE IS A COUPLE GOOD BEACON RATING GUIDES... I HAVE A ORTOVOX S1+ AND LOVE IT... VERY SIMPLE, EXPENSIVE(BUT I GOT A REALLY GOOD DEAL ON THEM, AS I BOUGHT 3 AT THE SAME TIME )


https://www.gearweare.com/review/best-avalanche-beacons/
https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/best-avalanche-beacon/
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/snow-sports/best-avalanche-beacon

 

[lilduke]

Thanks. Mine has a few issues as well but overall still prefer it to the Tracker 2 it replaced.

I'd take a tracker 2any day over the pieps

 

[cattechsummitrider]

Handy site
https://beaconreviews.com/transceiver_comparison.php
https://beaconreviews.com/transceiver_reviews.php
Has some good information

 

[TDR]

Have 3 pipes pro’s and have had great success with them. Both times on Avy courses they were the longest range except for the Mammut’s - they kicked everyone’s butt. Had a screen pixel issue on one and worked through the folks at Zacs Tracs. All fixed under warranty with a reasonable time. At the end of the day you have to look at the tens of thousands we have invested in this sport. That beacon could save yours or some else’s life so don’t cheap out.

 

[rknight111]

I like the Mammut Element, simple, easy to use, works well.

https://backcountryskiingcanada.com/Mammut-Element-Barryvox-Avalanche-Transceiver-Review

 

[takethebounce]

The best one is the one you will know how to use when the time comes to use it.

Anything with fancy options isn't high on my priority list. Something I can easily switch to search, navigate to the sending signal and either mark for multiple signals or start locating the source is the best one for me. The BCA Trackers really check all those boxes though the temporary signal suppression for multiple burials and big picture mode are very specific functions of the Tracker 3 and when used properly can decrease search time noticeably.

 

[brian h]

i have the tracker 3 and like it, what takethebounce wrote is very true,imo simple is what most people need for if its to complicated they will be lost in time of need,most people will skim the manual when first purchase and learn enough to think they know how it works then when in a emergency wont know how to use. imo get one you feel comfortable with and do some practice with it, either use riding buddies beacons and get someone to hide a few or go to a beacon park and do some practice runs . the beacon is only good if the operator knows how to use it

 

[dooin800]

the BarryVox is easy to use, I was doing some practicing and my wife tried it with very little instruction she was able to find the hidden beacon.

 

[skegpro]

the BarryVox is easy to use, I was doing some practicing and my wife tried it with very little instruction she was able to find the hidden beacon.

Looking at all the latest beacons I am trying to think of a good reason why I shouldn't get the barryvox.

Longest range by far it seems.
About double of my otrovox S3.

Other than the barryvox s, but it probably has more features that I need.

Anyone know if the barryvox is much bigger than the S3?