Avy beacon purchase advice

[Snowjunky]

I am getting ready to purchase 2 avy beacons. I would like some advice from those of you that have had different beacons. My problem is I wont know what the strong points I am looking for should be. Every salesman and web site promote what they have. I have seen other posts on this but nothing current. One of these beacons will be for my wife/guest so it will need to be very easy to use. The other will be for me and I will practice with it but I still want easy of course. Thanks for all the input ahead of time. Rick

 

[PowderBrad]

Me too...as in I wanna know and am planning on purchasing a couple.

I know theres a couple on the market that dont run on analog, from what I remember. I dunno if that means better or not. I read a thread that had links and such a long time ago as well.

-tracker
-PIEPS

theres a couple more, names I've since forgotten.

 

[ibdoon]

The bca receivers are easy to use right out of the box. the only short coming is when you get in close to buried receiver, a newcomer may have a few problems figuring it out, with practice no problem. Just about any receiver will work well, you need to practice, take an avy class. In my experience, salesclowns try to show how fast they can run on level grd. In deep snow, waist high you have lots of time to search, as running will wear you out quickly and when you get there you have to start shoveling.
Did i say worn out.
I personally use the sos with sled bug, The farthest reception out there 90 + meters, they also can be turned down as you get closer. I'd suggest going to an avy class and try out a fewdifferrent types, Purchase the one you like, fits your budget, etc. Check rental shops, sled/ski, as they sell used units at end of season.
There are a lot of good units out there, any one will work, but the worst unit used by someone experienced works the best.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

I use a DTS Tracker, bought it when they first came out...any will work...the ones with multiply antenai seem to be slightly faster and more acurate...but it is the operator who knows how to use it that makes the diff...Take at least one Avy class, buy quality gear(beacon,probe,shovel) and practice(you and all your riding buddies)we used to practice on every ride(before reaching the hills)..take a zip lock bag ..put one beacon in it and hide it in a tore up feild...then have the buddies come into the field and search for it...Also before you leave the truck..every rider puts his in search and check for a signal on other riders(makes sure that everyone's beacon is on and working)...most important is the avy classes...they will teach you all this and more(how to better judge snow conditions, terrain traps and such)..I have to get 2 more beacons for the kids this fall ( they are just getting into riding in the hills)as well as at least one avy pack which for now we will swap on the hill in a safe area so that who ever is climbing will have it on...good luck...

 

[sled-fiend]

Pieps. very user friendly.

 

[mtn mike on boost]

i like the tracker for a easy to use no brainer. even if someone is paniked, the unit still user friendly. i dont think its probably the best for multiple burrials, but i do think its the fastest or atleast one of the fasteset for a single.
just my 2 cents

 

[800poodragon]

My riding partners and I all have the Ortovox D3's.

 

[buck50]

tracker, peips, ortovox.........pretty much any digital one. they are easy to use in a panic situation. pretty much point and go!!!! they give you direction and distance!!! personally, i don't like the analog ones like SOS and what not, but they do work, just need WAY more practice!!! speaking of which, no matter what you go with, you need to practice to figure out how they work. we always get toegther and go thru several scenarios and actually bury them out in the field and have to look for them!!!!! this helps not only to learn how to use the beacon, but how to do a search by yourself, with another person, or as a group, cause this changes the way things get done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! better to learn how now then at an avy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[800poodragon]

tracker, peips, ortovox.........pretty much any digital one. they are easy to use in a panic situation. pretty much point and go!!!! they give you direction and distance!!! personally, i don't like the analog ones like SOS and what not, but they do work, just need WAY more practice!!! speaking of which, no matter what you go with, you need to practice to figure out how they work. we always get toegther and go thru several scenarios and actually bury them out in the field and have to look for them!!!!! this helps not only to learn how to use the beacon, but how to do a search by yourself, with another person, or as a group, cause this changes the way things get done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! better to learn how now then at an avy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I could not agree more. Any of them will work well....just make sure you practice with it. Will make a big difference if that panic situation does ever arise. How well you will be able to use the one you buy is what can make the difference in saving a life...

 

[ibdoon]

I'd also suggest you check snobunji they put a package together with transceiver, probe and shovel and with one of their do not leave home without , sled pullers. check all the transcever site as they generally put packages together, leaving some hard earned cash in your pocket.
I'd suggest if you need a transceiver you must need a probe and shovel also, in otherwords they work together. Buy a quality shovel, plastic dosen't work in an avalanche. Don't believe, which shovel would you use after the snow plow goes by, Yes plastic sucks.

 

[Polarisrocks]

tracker is what most of us use. I heard the new tracker is coming out this fall and is supposed to be the sh!t.

 

[donbrown]

If your group is level headed in a crisris then get

1 Most accurate
2. Easy to use
3 battery life
4 weight
5 extra features

If your group might panic in a crisis then go
1 Ease of use
2 Most accurate
3 battery life
4 weight
5 extra features

Remember you're AVY equipment is only as good as the person using it so look at the capabilities and crisis management not as an individual but who / what kind of people ride in your group.

There was another website with unbiased (?) study of beacons.

I am not saying BCA is the best ( although it might be) but for me it seems the easiest to use, most reliable, good battery life.
Plus I am old and the youngest I ride with might be in high school.

 

[Ex-Member]

If you're loaning them out to people who may not ride often or be willing to take an avy/beacon course just to ride a few days a year, EASE OF USE is what's going to make the difference. Too many buttons can overwhelm a person in an emergency situation.

I have a tracker dts... it's fast when it comes to changes in direction/distance which is real nice. Also on the cheaper side of spectrum. Great battery life, my first set of AAAs lasted 3mos of riding every weekend. As long as your group sticks to the one sled on a hill rule, you should never be faced with a multiple-burial situation...

My one complaint about it is the harness, only sits in one position and if that position's uncomfortable then it's not much fun to wear. Mine sits real weird with a tekvest.

Ride safe

 

[tpollon2]

I am getting ready to purchase 2 avy beacons. I would like some advice from those of you that have had different beacons. My problem is I wont know what the strong points I am looking for should be. Every salesman and web site promote what they have. I have seen other posts on this but nothing current. One of these beacons will be for my wife/guest so it will need to be very easy to use. The other will be for me and I will practice with it but I still want easy of course. Thanks for all the input ahead of time. Rick

I have a brand new BCA Tracker in the box, never used. Make me an offer.
Todd

 

[Snowsoul]

Here is an excellent website with lots of info on lots of models. It has reviews, a rating system, and test conclusions. Very helpful and informative.

http://www.beaconreviews.com/transceivers/

 

[SnowBigDeal]

As many have mentioned, the BCA Tracker is very easy to use. BCA is going to be releasing the Tracker 2 later this year (hopefully October). It will be even faster than the regular tracker and have 3 antennae rather than two. This will illiminate the "spike" that occurs when inbetween flux lines.

The pieps is a great beacon as well. It is easy to use and has great range. The pieps is easier to use when it comes to multiple burials over the tracker (IMO) .

The pulse is also a great beacon, but it is rather complex and can be confusing at times.

The tracker is cheaper than both the pieps and the pulse; and with the weak dollar the tracker will continue to be cheaper because it is manufactured in the US, whereas pieps and pulse are imported from overseas.

We include a free shovel or probe when you purchase a beacon. We also have package deals for multiple beacon purchases. PM me with any questions.

 

[Vertical_Escape]

All of the above has been good advice.....If I could echo anything it would be take an avy class and practice often. Make sure your riding buddies do likewise, after all, it might be you they need to search for.....

 

[backcountryislife]

snowbigdeal is a great guy to buy from.

I reccomend a bca & an avy class as well. and PRACTICE OFTEN!!!

 

[tranquillicer]

Beacons

Stated on here already but needs to be repeated. Take a course. Bought all the gear last year after riding that terrain for a few years and renting stuff. After taking course we soon realised we would have been screwed if we would have had to use beacons with out proper training. Not that easy to use properly and can't imagine the butterflies if you have to use for real.
Without training I think the beacons are great for recovery.

 

[Jaynelson]

I have a Pieps DSP, very user friendly in my opinion. Also makes multiple burials easier to deal with and the display is easy to read. It's a bit pricey compared to some, but sledding isn't exactly cheap to begin with so what the H.

A member on here had some real good pricing a while back in DSP's, search for user name "RGM" I believe.