Dangerous and useless avalanche gear

powderhoundbrr

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I wonder, I might buy these for my kids. I travel on a weekly basis with the kids (3 and 5) into very mild avalanche risk during the winter in snow cats and on sleds. We double them into some areas where there are AVY paths and that sort of thing. I might look at getting them something like this just o be safe. When they get older and can actually use a beacon I will get them their own proper transceiver. They do practice a lot with the real ones as hide and seek games (probably better with them than most people on here with them already) but I don't think they need real ones and they would just get lost anyway.

They could also make for a good cheap tool to practice with as well.

I might even put one on my dog when I do ski trips in the mountains with just him and I?

Not a great idea for sure but there might be a niche market out there.

Agreed that no adult in real avalanche terrain on either sleds or skis should think about having one though.
 
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catinthehat

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Anybody that buys one of these things is getting a very FALSE sense of security. I for one will not ride with anyone carrying one of these for the reasons stated on the web link, you can not search. Can you imagine the confusion during an actual emergency with a few of these things still sending? The time it takes to deal with having them shut off is time taken away from searching for victims. NO THANKS. imho
 

powderpilot

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What's the difference between this and a beacon strapped to someone who doesn't know how to use it??? Education is the issue, and with proper education people will make the right choices. There are WAY too many people riding with equipment that they don't know how to use.
 
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tantrumpipeline

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This would be a pretty sweet product for myself to use in making an affordable smart pig to locate bent and/or kinked pipe, but for it's intended purpose....makes no sense at all
 

moyiesledhead

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Anybody that buys one of these things is getting a very FALSE sense of security. I for one will not ride with anyone carrying one of these for the reasons stated on the web link, you can not search. Can you imagine the confusion during an actual emergency with a few of these things still sending? The time it takes to deal with having them shut off is time taken away from searching for victims. NO THANKS. imho

Have a chat with your brother. This is still a step up from what he has.....nothing. :nono:
 

99summitx

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This product already exists but they don't sell it claiming to save lives, it called the SOS Sled Bug.
 

-lenny-

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This product already exists but they don't sell it claiming to save lives, it called the SOS Sled Bug.

True, but...

The Sledbug was sold as a module that wired into your sleds harness. It was also on a separate frequency, and you needed a special beacon to search for it. I don't believe they make them anymore?
 

the_real_wild1

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Good points made. I was thinking it would be good to find a buried sled or if someone had a dog with them kinda idea. BUT it could be easily be confused for another person being buried. End up digging up a sled instead of the person.
 

maierch

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This would be a pretty sweet product for myself to use in making an affordable smart pig to locate bent and/or kinked pipe, but for it's intended purpose....makes no sense at all

I don't think you would get much performance at all with a beacon used in a pipeline application. The frequencies used in the pipeline equipment are extremely low so they propagate through the pipe and dense ground better. I know it's tough to swallow at $6k for a transmitter receiver combo.
 

JaySimon

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I have heard of a system that transmits at a different frequency, to attach to skis etc when people need to find those things. I would be into using one of those on my dog. Sure wouldn't want to waste precious moments digging up my dog if a buddy was buried, but sure would be nice to get her out after the fact, or if nobody else was buried.

My dog is terrible at terrain selection.
 

Summiteer

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I have heard of a system that transmits at a different frequency, to attach to skis etc when people need to find those things. I would be into using one of those on my dog. Sure wouldn't want to waste precious moments digging up my dog if a buddy was buried, but sure would be nice to get her out after the fact, or if nobody else was buried.

My dog is terrible at terrain selection.
Sled bug made by SOS.
 

toomuchsledformyowngood

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the only situation i see the snow be being of any use. is in a mall for a lost child. as far as avalanche gear! no thanks not around me
 
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