What alavanche beacon, and why???

[cokecrazed007]

I'm looking for a new beacon and i'm wondering which one to get. I would like to hear some real world opions.

Thank you

 

[polarisdragon800]

Well I use a S.O.S beacon. Their pretty simple, Easy to use. I've never had to use it in a life and death situation and I hope that I never have to. I've messed around with it some as to practicing finding other beacons.. This is always a good idea along with taking avalance courses. Alot of people like the PIEPS aswell.

 

[glengine]

All the beacons that you buy nowadays should be digital (sos is analog). The digitals are simpler to use. I personally really like the BCA tracker 2 beacons. But for the most the MOST IMPORTANT thing about a beacon is the best one to have is one that you know how to use and are very familiar with how it works. Because if you end up in a situation that you need to use it you need the use of it be pretty well second narure due to the fact that there will be alot adrenaline and such at the time. That is why usually when people ask me which beacon is best i pretty well always say the one that you know how to use well. And some avvy traing is also a very good thing to have, but just having the course doesn't help you if you dont practice what you lewarn in the course. There are alot of people that take the avvy course and yet they dont dig a single snow pit all year to actually check the snow pack for themselves.

 

[polarisdragon800]

Ya, The thing I like about the SOS is that I know how to use it, used to it, and have practiced with it quite a bit.

 

[glengine]

Ya, The thing I like about the SOS is that I know how to use it, used to it, and have practiced with it quite a bit.

Thats good. I actually know guys with the sos that can find another beacon quicker than guys with the newest faniest beacon simply because they practice with there alot and are very comfortable using there sos.

 

[MATTIAC]

I use the Ortovox 3+ one of the best out there. multiple burials, 3 antenna ect.

 

[rknight111]

Peeps is a good beacon that is user friendly. They have a long range for searching which is good. I won't switch my brand after being involved in an avalanche I swear by this one.

 

[Steve D]

I'd say something to consider is getting same one as your riding buddies. My thinking is a) if someone in the group has spare batteries you can cover a guy that finds his was left on since the last ride and b) if in a pinch you're using a friends, you're instantly familiar with it. (One of the guys in our group actually keeps a second beacon in his truck, ready to go.)

That said, it's my theory, but I do realize it never actually works in practice...

 

[jbb]

pieps all the way. there so easy to use, even a retard like me can figure it out!!! lol. plus pieps use 3 antenna and do multi burial to. check with ray mason on here, he sells them. think his member name is rgm or some thing like that. plus rays way cheaper to buy from then the retailers.

 

[ferniesnow]

Zac's Tracs have great prices also. As Glen mentioned the digital ones are best and with 3 antennas they are sweet. Whatever you buy, practice and practice.

All of our SOS's are in the garbage as well as the BCA Tracker DS. We now use BCA Tracker2 and the Pulse Barryvox.

 

[cokecrazed007]

Thanks guys for the input, I'm looking to replace my SOS and go with a 3 antena, but you guys are 100% right about knowing your equipment and be able to use it! I will look Ron up and see what he has.

Thank you

 

[climbmax]

Tracker 2 for me. Love it. I have had several........ and yup my SOS are now sitting on the shelf collecting dust.
Do youself (and us) a favour......take an accredited AST1 course before you go buy that new jacket, helmet (unless you don't have one) clutch, nos, turbo, track etc etc etc
Safe sleddin
RS

 

[ratpak]

My group uses the Mammut Pulse and it works great. It's got multiple antennas and will locate up to 8 other beacons. Once you find one, you can cancel the signal from it so it doesn't interfere with your search of the remaining beacons. It'll even tell you if there is any movement under the snow and when the last movement was.

If you do want to buy locally, MEC has them for $450 each. If you order it from the states, it's even cheaper and has full warranty in North America.

 

[High Velocity]

I used an SOS for a number of years and took my avy training with it so I'm very comfortable with it. That being said, I bought an Ortovox S1 two years ago after trying a few others. IMHO, the S1 is the easiest, most intuitive beacon out there. If we have a new rider with us, I'll use my SOS and give him my S1 to use because I'm fairly confident they'll know how to use it after a quick "training" session. Give the S1 a look.

 

[glengine]

Majority of the new digital beacons all have 3 antenna's and do multiple burial's. Myslef i use and love my BCA tracker 2. Also BCA does alot to help and support our sport and also our snowmobile clubs at a local level.

 

[underdog]

I'll be replacing my ortovox X1 this year, and for me its a toss up between the S1 and the pulse.
Leaning more towards the pulse, as I can see wires being an issue after enough use with the flip phone style of the S1.
But that's just me.

Sent from my Desire HD

 

[jaredszakacs]

pulse barryovox simple to use has multiple burial buttons and has a fantastic range on it

 

[imdoo'n]

i would suggest you purchase the beacon that you find is easiest to use. then practice using it, so that it is second nature, make a game\contest with your buds so that you all get practice. and practice lots. analogur beacons work well just a little more manual inputs and practice required. had a sales guy ask what my life was worth, when looking at a new beacon, barryvox pulse. told him my buds beacon was more important in saving my life. almost all beacons will work well in a single burial, multiple burials are different. bca has problems(lots).

again practice, practice, practice. did i say practice.

 

[glengine]

One idea for yah is to talk to zac's tracs and they can give you a good unbiased opinion from there experience as they generally have used all the brands and all the newest ones. They also see alot of them every year as they are teaching there avvy courses. And they can give you a really good idea of what the pro's and con's are of all the different brands and models. I say the best one for me is the Tracker 2 but i havn't tried an ortovox or peeps so it's hard to really compare it to anything where they use them all and compare them all winter long. Just my thoughts.

 

[glengine]

i would suggest you purchase the beacon that you find is easiest to use. then practice using it, so that it is second nature, make a game\contest with your buds so that you all get practice. and practice lots. analogur beacons work well just a little more manual inputs and practice required. had a sales guy ask what my life was worth, when looking at a new beacon, barryvox pulse. told him my buds beacon was more important in saving my life. almost all beacons will work well in a single burial, multiple burials are different. bca has problems(lots).

again practice, practice, practice. did i say practice.

I would love to know what kind of problems the BCA has?? They brought out a software update for them last year to eliminate the possiblty of cell phone interference and havnt heard any issues, and i am a dealer for BCA and talk to lots of people to keep up on whats new and if people are having issues.