Best beacon? 2018/2019

[skegpro]

Is it safe to assume that if the barryvox can detect at 80+ meters then it will give off a stronger signal than most beacons?

 

[Mike270412]

Is it safe to assume that if the barryvox can detect at 80+ meters the it will give off a stronger signal than most beacons?

No...

 

[cattechsummitrider]

It is not just what one is the best beacon,, there are a lot of other factors, beacon send and receive strength can be off because of cell phone proximity ( Cell phones (( the worst)) or any other electronics ) near the beacon will f**k with the reception and the sending there have even been reports of tinfoil in someones pocket close to the beacon throwing the signal off, So what ever beacon you choose make sure there is no electrical interference near it and know how to use it!

 

[snochuk]

KEEP YOUR GEAR SIMPLE TO USE, KNOW HOW TO USE YOUR GEAR , this is far more important than an extra 10m of range.
Follow what you are taught in avy class so only have to use gear during practice. You will be shocked at how little time you have to act, better be fluent with your gear.

My vote goes to Tracker 2

 

[dooin800]

I have a tracker 2 as well. We have run practice searches with it and my new Baryvox and the Berryvox works a lot better. I think the tracker only has 2 antennas where the newer units have three allowing them to be more accurate. I agree with Snochuck know your gear, I do know my gear. Do your friends a favor and get a newer beacon with the third antenna.

 

[lilduke]

Tracker 2 has 3 antennas. The original Tracker dts has 2 antennas.

 

[scotts]

I looked at this thread without my glasses and thought it said best "Bacon"! Extremely disappointed to find that there wasn't any in the fridge!

 

[Teth-Air]

BCA and the Trackers get my vote. Not only do they work well, they are backed by Dwayne and Deb Paynton who are the reps in Western Canada for BCA. They go to all the shows and handle warranty issues personally. If you try and get ahold of the manufacturer's of the other brands all you get is tumbleweed. I tried contacting them all when we were looking to partner up with them on an idea.

 

[Depsnolvr]

Another supporter of the Tracker here, but I would step up to the Tracker 3 if possible. Very simple and fast transceiver with great additions such as signal suppression and more importantly a very fast big picture mode that if used correctly is amazing. I completed my AVSAR course with the 3 last year I was very happy I did not bring a transceiver with more gizmos and buttons.

The majority of you are novice users, and always will be, due to time invested in training and practice....thats not meant to be an insult, but it is the fact. Find something high quality and simple to operate and PRACTICE! Having the "best" transceiver with a lot of flashy lights and buttons and not knowing how to use them all does not make much sense.

Ride safe.

 

[FastFarmer]

We did a test run out at the gravel pit a couple times this summer, figured I could brush up in the group shoveling skills and realized that one shovel length away from the guy in front isn’t enough when rocks are involved...was a good test run, keeps it fresh and kept us organized and better prepared for this winter. The kids are pretty good st hiding things around the yard so even just the process of running through the steps was a good refresh, game changer when someone comes into range with theirs on send not search..you realize how many seconds you loose when someone is yelling them out at you.

 

[Hangfire]

I'm lucky enough to get to try all types of transceivers teaching avalanche courses. I have not seen one perform better than the new Barryvox.

The range is amazing. Further than all others when doing range checks. It's fast and simple and the marking/flagging function works. For all recreational users this is the Cadillac. You do not need to spend the $200 more for the Barryvox S model unless you are working in the snow industry.

 

[Battle Rat]

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.

Same experience with the peips.
Probably lost signal 20 -30 meters farther than all the other brands.

 

[Iron Horse Racing]

Looked at a lot, went with the Barrvox Pulse, have had them now for 5 years, have upgraded the software for a very minimal charge, even bought a used spare, sent it in to be checked, it failed and they upgraded it for free, great company, great product....

But like many have said, which ever one you buy, practice with it until you can use it in your sleep...

 

[fynnigan]

Have had 2 of the barryvox units pile up with electrical issues , first one just died and the second one would randomly shut off while riding .these issues were not from impacts or abuse. The first one was about 3 years old, which was sort of ok . The second one was purchased last season in early December and worked good until spring .noticed it had shutdown during a ride and thought it was just bad batteries,put new batteries in and did the same thing. Then I forgot about it and first ride this year same thing with new batteries in it . So got home put new batteries in again left it shut off and overnight it went down 70 percent overnight in the off position. And one of my riding partners has one that will cook the ends off the batteries. These are probably isolated problems but right now I don’t have much faith in them so I have switched to ortovox s1 ,seems work pretty well .

 

[ferniesnow]

Any problems with the Mammut/Barryvox beacons can be directed to Avalanche Safety Solutions in Golden, BC (Phone: (250) 344-8606).

They are great to deal with and the turn around is very reasonable. Whether it is a software up-date, or a physical problem they will get you back on the snow. For the first time in 18 years, I had a leaking battery over the summer months (I now will take the batteries out for the summer months). Cleaning off the terminals ended up breaking a contact. Sent, fixed, and returned in less than 10 days. Price was very reasonable.

 

[Caper11]

I have a tracker 2 and a pieps pro. My AST course opened my eyes up to different models and quickly realized that the tracker 2 was not for me. I kept bumping the search button back to transmit cause there is no way for it to lock in the search mode. When we were doing a large group multiple burials, twice I inadvertently bumped the button back to transmit while I was digging and messed up the rest of the group. Im by no means a pro at rescues, but that was a loss in time at rescuing and that was unacceptable IMO
My buddy had a peips pro at the time and I found that beacon easier to use over my tracker 2, and seemed to locate the targets faster. So after that I bought a peips pro and use the tracker 2 as a backup and practice beacon.

Im sure there is issues with the peips Pro that someone has run into but so far Its working good, Zacs Tracks put new batteries in it and did a update on it at the sled show for me last year.


At the end of the day chose a safety device that you will feel comfortable with right away and get more efficient at using it.