looking for a new beacon

[imdoo'n]

a lot to choose from, looking for a new digital beacon. any recommendations, and why you recommend it . looking for user info, not BS, may help others out also.

 

[polar sledhead]

Ive got the pulse Barry vox
easy to use and works well

 

[Bnorth]

I like my tracker 2. So much quicker and easier than the original tracker and the price is very competitive compared to other beacons with similar features.

 

[Iron Horse Racing]

Barry Vox Pulse, We have three of them in the family, find them quick and easy to use, and so far the easiest multiple buried function that I have tried...


Bought a third unit tail end of last year, sent all three of them back to have the software upgraded and the function test (as recommended every three years) the third unit was replaced free of charge as it failed their tests ...(paid the upgrade test price, $35.00) now that's a warranty I like....

When I got the unit back and was reviewing the test results, it failed by a few seconds in some bench timing test and that's what they used as criteria to replace it with a brand new unit.

 

[giddyup]

this is a good review of beacons 2010

 

[Iron Horse Racing]

We received a new 3.2 version just before the official launch date....

Overview of improvements Pulse Barryvox version 3.2 from 3.0

The upgrade is not mandatory. Older Pulse firmware is still rock solid.

Firmware 3.2 has some very sleek upgrades and it speaks to the Pulses ability to be continually upgraded.

Features include:
Directional Tones- a nice feature aimed at users who keep the Pulse in digital-only mode. As you turn the beacon the digital tones will change to alert you once you are oriented in the direction you should be moving in. This is also incorporated into the Elements firmware so be sure to check it out.

Rescue Send- another very cool upgrade, this time aimed at professional users. If you are in search mode and you switch straight to send it will ask you if you prefer Rescue Send. This way you can be in a mode which is not sending or recieving (if you are in a large organized rescue this is useful). If the motion detector does not sense motion OR 7 minutes passes it automatically reverts to Send.

3.2 also allows users to opt for the Landing Strip instead of the Cross in Fine Search mode. This is a big change in terms of how to teach beginners--no grid searching! Just go to the first lowest number and begin probing in a spiral. Beginners waste too much time with poor grid searches. Remember, the “landing strip” is a metaphor which must be understood.

Lithium Batteries--the v3.2 Pulse can now use lithium batteries. They are considerably lighter and last much longer. They also eliminate the possibility of corrosion, which we see frequently. (Remember if ANY corrosion is ever seen at the battery terminals the unit MUST be sent in for new terminal contacts). Note that you must choose the lithium option in the settings before switching from alkaline batteries!

 

[imdoo'n]

like the way the barryvox pulse and element beacons work. not sure i need or will use all the pulses features, looking like i'm going to go for the element at this time.

any good prices on the element beacon. dealers i've seen that have them zacs tracs, valhalla pure in red deer, avalanche solutions in golden

 

[JoHNI_T]

like the way the barryvox pulse and element beacons work. not sure i need or will use all the pulses features, looking like i'm going to go for the element at this time.

any good prices on the element beacon. dealers i've seen that have them zacs tracs, valhalla pure in red deer, avalanche solutions in golden

should be able to get one for $350 tax in worse case (just got mine at walt healey in cow town ya went to a yammi shop lol),, cant be too much spread in them i dont think,, msrp is $359 or $369 I think

 

[JoHNI_T]

on Mammut website it doesnt list accurate dealers,, just call around most should carry them,,

 

[rondun]

I purchaced a Tracker DTS at the Edmonton sled show 2011. I used it all of last year, I tested it at times and found it not too hard to use. In town we just took the classroom from Zactracks. Now all my buddies are selling their Trackers and buying new ones (Pieps). Wondering if I should get a new one also???? I still think that when the crap starts and you have to use it......can you or just panic......and can your buddies dig you out of 2 or 3 meters of HARD snow?........Most of the guys in our group are late 40s to mid 50s.....I wonder?

 

[the_real_wild1]

Hopefully you never have to find out.

 

[imdoo'n]

i find it hilarious that some think that beacon knowledge will come to them at the dire time of need. sorry it will not happen. you need to practice lots.

i think it's funny, 10 in calgary 4 in red deer, edmomton? show up for beacon practice? glad to see the rest are experts. NOT

i'd suggest ya get off yer friggin fat azz and get with the program. your life and your buds are at stake.

 

[Bisch]

I bought my wife and I both Pieps DSP's. easy to sue, good information and not likely to fumble with it when using. Allows tracking of multiple signals and is very accurate. Cant wait to test it in the deep snow.

I purchaced a Tracker DTS at the Edmonton sled show 2011. I used it all of last year, I tested it at times and found it not too hard to use. In town we just took the classroom from Zactracks. Now all my buddies are selling their Trackers and buying new ones (Pieps). Wondering if I should get a new one also???? I still think that when the crap starts and you have to use it......can you or just panic......and can your buddies dig you out of 2 or 3 meters of HARD snow?........Most of the guys in our group are late 40s to mid 50s.....I wonder?

 

[imdoo'n]

I bought my wife and I both Pieps DSP's. easy to sue, good information and not likely to fumble with it when using. Allows tracking of multiple signals and is very accurate. Cant wait to test it in the deep snow.

cudos due , now get out and practice, practice lots so that it is second nature as they say. great choice, good beacons.

 

[Bisch]

I agree. practice is so important.

I do a lot of crisis management for work, and really understand how easy it is to get overwhelmed in such a high tension, emotional event. Knowing how to use it on auto-pilot is really important and that only comes with practice.

cudos due , now get out and practice, practice lots so that it is second nature as they say. great choice, good beacons.

 

[imdoo'n]

I agree. practice is so important.

I do a lot of crisis management for work, and really understand how easy it is to get overwhelmed in such a high tension, emotional event. Knowing how to use it on auto-pilot is really important and that only comes with practice.

can you put forth any light on the thought process of the people who think they don't need to practice, don't get me wrong i think people need a shake up once in awhile. i just find it very frustrating.

 

[Bisch]

Well, I get it, that the interfaces of these devices are pretty simple. So on the surface, you pull out the manual, test it with your buddies and say, ok I can follow the arrows (or listen to the ping)... the newer ones show how far away you are etc.

I bet though (and heard from Curtis that in every group when something happens) half won't switch their beacons to search so it will cause issues with the first few minutes of the search until everyone has joined in and configured their equipment right.

It's human nature to lose your critical thinking skills when reacting to a major event. making it simple is up to the manufacturers... making it effective is up to your group. repetition makes these things easy, fast, effective and predictable.

Good practice appears to be testing before every ride to make sure all equipment is working. I hear the best way to do that is to through a device in the snow and have everyone come together to search for it. Practice run with every ride (mountains or trail or whatever).

Using in the cold with gloves on etc. is also important.

I think it's an easy thing to think "I don't need to do that.. did that last year and I know my hear"... Much different story in a crisis when emotions are running high and your buddy is buried.

can you put forth any light on the thought process of the people who think they don't need to practice, don't get me wrong i think people need a shake up once in awhile. i just find it very frustrating.

 

[imdoo'n]

Well, I get it, that the interfaces of these devices are pretty simple. So on the surface, you pull out the manual, test it with your buddies and say, ok I can follow the arrows (or listen to the ping)... the newer ones show how far away you are etc.

I bet though (and heard from Curtis that in every group when something happens) half won't switch their beacons to search so it will cause issues with the first few minutes of the search until everyone has joined in and configured their equipment right.

It's human nature to lose your critical thinking skills when reacting to a major event. making it simple is up to the manufacturers... making it effective is up to your group. repetition makes these things easy, fast, effective and predictable.

Good practice appears to be testing before every ride to make sure all equipment is working. I hear the best way to do that is to through a device in the snow and have everyone come together to search for it. Practice run with every ride (mountains or trail or whatever).

Using in the cold with gloves on etc. is also important.

I think it's an easy thing to think "I don't need to do that.. did that last year and I know my hear"... Much different story in a crisis when emotions are running high and your buddy is buried.

thank you, you nailed it. only way to knpw how to use your beacon is GET OUT AND USE IT.



again thanks