Avalanche Beacons... what to buy?

[Rush44]

So my wife bought me an avalance beacon for my birthday. It's a Mammut Pulse and ended up costing her like $450. I really love the gift idea, but I think she may have gone a little overkill. This thing can track multiple people, has special alarms, and also has the longest range of any beacon out there. I don't think it was really made with snowmobilers in mind since its got an LCD screen that looks like its begging to be broken on a tree or in a rollover.

So what are the best bang-for-your-buck beacons out there? I've heard good things about Ortovox, but I don't know what to buy. Any thoughts fellas?

 

[Pumpkinpatch]

I have the Tracker DTS and it is very easy to use and has very favorable reviews.

P.P.

 

[Good to Go]

Hey, here's a new site for you to check out. It's brand new.....


Try this, still

 

[Wheeline]

My new tracker seems easier to use than my old SOS

 

[sleddin pete]

I've got a tracker dts.Easiest to use,fast learning curve,289 bucks with a shovel from avalanchetools.com or $319 with beacon shovel/probe pole combo

 

[PassRev]

I have the Pulse, so far the best beacon I have owned.
We also have Trackers, Ortovox and Pieps (though not a DPS which I have tried and liked a lot).

The Pulse is user friendly and good range. When it comes time to use it, I doubt you will think it is overkill.

Bottom line. A beacon is a tool, knowing how to use the tool makes all the difference in the world. Choose a beacon, from a friends recommendation or whatever, practice with it until it's controls and functions are second nature. Practice with your ridding buddies. If you don't already have them, get a pack (if you have money to burn get an ABS pack), a good shovel and separate 270 to 300 cm probe. As others have mentioned, take a level one avalanche course, preferably one oriented to snowmobiles.

Last, and maybe most important, develop safe travel habits. Learning to read the conditions, terrain, recent weather patterns and signs of past activity, reduces the associated risks. We carry the equipment as a precaution, however it's better to not have to use it... Eh?

 

[drscotch]

From what I've read, you've got the best beacon money can buy. It won't necessarily do much for you but your buddies should appreciate it.

 

[SnowBigDeal]

The pulse is definitely a good beacon, but you are right. There are a lot of menus and different options with the beacon.

The BCA Tracker is by far the most popular beacon out there. It is very easy to use for single burials and it is very well built.

The Pieps is also good, it is user friendly on multiple burials and has great range.

Here's a thread that has a lot of the same info: What's the beacon to have

 

[WYrider]

I have an SOS F1-ND and a BCA tracker. The tracker is by far the better model. Both are easy to use but the tracker seems alot faster and is even easier to use.

 

[TAV]

i sell the tracker and ortovox and would recommend both the dts tracker and the D-3 Ortovox they are both easy to use and affortable.