barryvox -wouldnt buy again

[snowblind]

I have had 2 mammut barryvox beacons and both broke while in storage. First one was weird and wasnt covered under warrantee. Second one happened over this summer. went into gear bag with batteries out and perfect condition. took it out to start the season and thought screen was cracked. put batteries in and it was crack and didnt display. sent it back and they said broken screens arent covered(like last time). totally sucks . they said I could buy a new one or, they could ship the broken one back for $10

chris fiore

 

[CatWoman]

Sorry to hear that Chris!

Where was in it in your gear bag? Just wondering if maybe something could have hit it?

We love our Barryvox Pulse beacons. We put them inside our helmets (which have their own bag), in our gear bag. We did that with our previous beacons as well. Seems to really keep them quite protected.

 

[2Thetopp]

barryvox -wouldnt buy again Reply to Thread

Good idea on storing them in the helmet, I've got to question their durability during an actual avalanche. Will they do the same thing? I'd hate to find out the hard way, with it cracked does it just not have the read out but still transmit, or completely in-op?

 

[CatWoman]

Good idea on storing them in the helmet, I've got to question their durability during an actual avalanche. Will they do the same thing? I'd hate to find out the hard way, with it cracked does it just not have the read out but still transmit, or completely in-op?

Hard to say what would happen in an avy (I would think any beacon could potentially be vulnerable, though most all I've handled seem quite solid). We do wear our beacons under our jackets and off to one side of the body....and there have been some unexpected hits, or dismounts.

I know our gear bag gets stuff piled on top of it over the summer, moved around, etc. Even during riding season the gear bag could take some hits. It has both the hubby's and my gear in it...so it's not light (which makes it harder to move/pack, and thus our reason to store the beacons in the helmet where they are protected).

I'll do some looking/asking around in regards to your question. I just haven't heard of it being an issue, and this is something I do try to keep up on (all things avy related).

 

[KSH]

Good idea on storing them in the helmet, I've got to question their durability during an actual avalanche. Will they do the same thing? I'd hate to find out the hard way, with it cracked does it just not have the read out but still transmit, or completely in-op?

When kept in there holders,firm molded plastic, the Pulses screen is protected fairly well.
Even with the screen disabled, you would still be able to use it like a old style analog beacon.

My only issue with my Pulse is the battery cover, you have to remove it from the holder to see the screen.
During a simulated recovery with the unit swinging around on my neck the battery door opened and the batteries fell out. I now tape the door shut.

 

[snowblind]

was inside the original box it came in. temps were down to -30 when we were in colorado. opened it and saw the screen.
same thing happened to my last one in motnana feeze(older model) and they talked me into this one saying they were better. they wont even repair it for me.


actual text from them after i shipped it to them.----


Hi Chris,

I just checked out your beacon. Unfortunately I have no good news for you. The beacon is not repairable and the damage is not covered under warranty (your warranty expired in August 2009, but a damaged LCD wouldn’t have been covered anyway). The beacon should be retired. We can dispose of it here or send it back to you unrepaired- you would be responsible to $10 S&H. Please let me know how we should proceed. Again, sorry for the disappointing report.



Thank you,



Kevin Thompson

Mammut Sports Group, Inc.

(802)985-5056 x111

 

[snowblind]

and I think I bought this one in 2009 so I dont know how it s warrantee ended in 2009

 

[giddyup]

beacon

that strange about the warranty, i would give them a copy of your bill, if there is warranty, why is it over in less that a year. i store mine in the helmet between rides if we a riding for several days, when i travel i put both of my beacon in a small peilican case, just fits perfect, never had a problem, but it it a protected case, just like the one my laptop is in, they are foam lined. i have always been worried about that, they are electronic, crappy about the warranty

giddyup

 

[backcountryislife]

BCA seems to cover their beacons for a rather long time & they stand behind their product... (I use an S1, but gotta say the T2 looks like you could run it over with your diesel & it'd be fine!!)

No reason to buy from a company that doesn't take care of a customer. It's pretty easy to replace a screen, so if they won't even bother to stock a few screens to fix broken units... then they're a company that I would not buy from.

Companies need to figure out that CS stands for customer SERVICE, not customer screwed.


Btw, with BCA their warranty goes by serial number (date produced), not date purchased, so I can see how that may have been the case if you bought a N.O.S. unit someone had sitting for a while.

That system is good in the fact that 3 years later you don't have to worry about a receipt for warranty work, but sucks if you buy an old one.

 

[MVR]

Beacon

Beacons are vulnerable, that's partially why we wear them near our body and why they have protective harnesses. Treat your beacon like you treat your camera and you won't have much trouble with it.

The Ortovox S1 is an outstanding beacon with a lot of very useful features. But considering the current technology, any beacon that a searcher is WELL PRACTICED with will be a good one.

RIDE safe out there.