ABS packs - Just too much $$$$$$ for me this year again.

[ericbigbore]

I know this has been beaten to death but what would you do if you were me?

3 of my kids and my wife are really starting to rip and I am taking them deep in to the back country these days. I just can't afford 5 packs at a grand a piece and buying 1 ABS for my self would just be selfish. That's a years worth of gas and parts or another sled for the quiver.

It looks like I'm going to have to stick to the beacons and some serious avy training and very carefully pick my family days in the backcountry this year. I ride about 60 to 80 days a year in the steep and deep and can't wait to have this added safty feture some day.

Maybe there will be some new brands on the market soon other than the 2 I'm aware of and bring the prices down to within reach for the masses. ABS looks like great product but out of reach for now.

 

[PowderProject]

Obviously you try to keep them out of harms way. Sounds like if they are educated enough they will stay out of dangerous terrain. Do you ever ride without them in dangerous terrain? If you do you should buy a pack. So if there is a time you are without them and you get buried, then they might still have a dad if you have your abs on. Selfishness shouldn't be an issue. my 2 cents

 

[tudizzle]

Why not buy one for the whole family. Usually only one person on the steep hill at a time, idealy, so while the others watch the one in the most danger can be protected.

 

[ericbigbore]

Why not buy one for the whole family. Usually only one person on the steep hill at a time, idealy, so while the others watch the one in the most danger can be protected.

I'm thinking about that, maybe 1 or 2 but I haul sooo much gear. Maybe the 1 gal for me and the little one to share....

 

[slednutz]

I dunno I guess if it were me i'd find a way to pay for it. My mom bought me one without me even knowing it so she has the best chances of seeing me come home after every ride. Even when you have the avy training things happen and avalanches do happen and claim lives so you want to put yourself in the best position to survive that situation. I understand their expensive but all these people mod their sleds, buy new sleds, buy new trailers, etc... but when it comes to safety equipment it all seems to expensive to them, i'm not saying yours is that case but I would definently get 1.

 

[Reeb]

You ride 60 to 80 days a winter? Cut that back a dozen rides ad get everyone one. I wish I could get out that often. If I get out 25+ times I'm callin' it a good year.

 

[trinitypowder]

I know this has been beaten to death but what would you do if you were me?

3 of my kids and my wife are really starting to rip and I am taking them deep in to the back country these days. I just can't afford 5 packs at a grand a piece and buying 1 ABS for my self would just be selfish. That's a years worth of gas and parts or another sled for the quiver.

It looks like I'm going to have to stick to the beacons and some serious avy training and very carefully pick my family days in the backcountry this year. I ride about 60 to 80 days a year in the steep and deep and can't wait to have this added safty feture some day.

Maybe there will be some new brands on the market soon other than the 2 I'm aware of and bring the prices down to within reach for the masses. ABS looks like great product but out of reach for now.

You have 5 sleds, ride up to 80 days a year, probably have a big truck and trailer, and you can't throw $4,000 at 5 ABS bags to increase the survival odds of you and your loved ones by 90%+? Think about that.

 

[graveler]

You ride 60 to 80 days a winter? Cut that back a dozen rides ad get everyone one. I wish I could get out that often. If I get out 25+ times I'm callin' it a good year.

he rides 60 to 80 days a winter and he lives in the getto!!!! Pathetic, move back to North Bend

 

[Tumblina]

Some good points made here Eric....

You ride so much...justify it!!!

Or just have your Mom buy you one...

 

[BIGSKINS]

A thousand dollar pack is still cheaper than having to cover funeral expences these days. 99% safety rating in an avy situation, not bad odds to me. I can save you some money by buying them at the Jackson Hole Hillclimbs in late March. They knock 200 off right off the top, thats where I got mine last year. It is a nice feeling knowing I got it strapped to my back no matter where your riding...









BIG

 

[AkHockey10]

Garage/yard sale?

 

[SnowBigDeal]

They are expensive and I too wish there were cheaper packs out there that met the same objective.

You say that "buying 1 ABS for my self would just be selfish." I disagree. I don't consider spending money on safety equipment that could save your life so that you'll be around for your family later to be selfish.
If you can't afford 5, buy 1 at a time as you can afford them. I don't care who you buy it from, just buy one.
I personally won't ride without mine now, I feel naked if I don't have it on.

 

[mb1]

A thousand dollar pack is still cheaper than having to cover funeral expences these days. 99% safety rating in an avy situation, not bad odds to me. I can save you some money by buying them at the Jackson Hole Hillclimbs in late March. They knock 200 off right off the top, thats where I got mine last year. It is a nice feeling knowing I got it strapped to my back no matter where your riding...


BIG

Is that a serious number? 99% ?? H-S!, I might have to look into one of these. I'm going to start researching now.

 

[meathooker]

You have 5 sleds, ride up to 80 days a year, probably have a big truck and trailer, and you can't throw $4,000 at 5 ABS bags to increase the survival odds of you and your loved ones by 90%+? Think about that.

my thoughts exactly

 

[SnowBigDeal]

Is that a serious number? 99% ?? H-S!, I might have to look into one of these. I'm going to start researching now.

We get lot of people asking us if the ABS Airbags really work and if there has every been anyone saved with an airbag. The answer is yes, there have been people who have used them and yes they work.

During the time period of 1990 - 2007 there have been 151 documented avalanches when the ABS system was fully deployed. This research was conducted by the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research.

Of the 151,
66 were not buried
63 were partially buried
19 were completely buried, but the airbag was visible
3 were completely buried, nothing visible

Of the 151, 149 were saved and 2 died.

Here's a graph:

Here is a link to more detail:
www.abs-airbag.com

 

[cmantle1]

We get lot of people asking us if the ABS Airbags really work and if there has every been anyone saved with an airbag. The answer is yes, there have been people who have used them and yes they work.

During the time period of 1990 - 2007 there have been 151 documented avalanches when the ABS system was fully deployed. This research was conducted by the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research.

Of the 151,
66 were not buried
63 were partially buried
19 were completely buried, but the airbag was visible
3 were completely buried, nothing visible

Of the 151, 149 were saved and 2 died.

Here's a graph:

Here is a link to more detail:
www.abs-airbag.com

Exactly why i bought one, even if not on top ill still be a hell of a lot easier to dig out.....

not to mention, snowbigdeal HOOKS IT UP with service....replaced my bag when it ripped within two days....

 

[diggerdown]

I still can't figure out how they charge so much for them. I'm not questioning their worth in life saving, but $1000 for an air bag? They make life jackets that look very similiar for about half that much. A good product but a very heafty mark up.

 

[AdrenalineAddict]

Just a little food for thought here. I now know of two sledders who were equipped with ABS Bags and were caught in avalanches. Neither had the mind control to deploy the bag in the violence of the avalanche. How many equipped with the bag actually have the mind control to deploy it. Both that were in the avalanches survived and when asked why they didn't deploy, they mentioned that s%*t happened so quickly the bag never even crossed their mind.

 

[Caveman]

I have had one for years,but now my kids are following my into the good stuff.So this year at Haydays I grabbed 3 of the new ones from Snow Big Deal.They are a lot lighter then the old ones.I would never want to look back and wish I would have spent the money.
Cave

 

[SNOW JW]

Cant give any details at this time but there is new stuff in the works that will make allot of guys safer and able to get into a bag later this season. Stay tunned