BCA 18

[kodpkd]

The BCA 18 is on sale now.... The BCA Throttle is made for snowmobiling... What is the difference between the two. Would the 18 be ok? I am new to the air bag thing.

 

[madsigntist]

I think the Throttle is a 22 liter, so its slightly bigger. I read that they discontinued the 18.

 

[95RXL]

The way I understand it, the BCA Throttle has the activation handle on the opposite side as their other models so you don't have to remove your hand from the throttle to activate it.

 

[aphoric]

I have a float 18, and the handle is on the right side. That would seem like the correct side for sledding. I reach across with my left hand to pull it. Since it hangs on the shoulder strap, if you put any backpack on and locate a point midway between the shoulder and elbow, that is about where mine hangs, so it would be hard to pull with the same side, I think.

 

[mr.deeds]

The way I understand it, the BCA Throttle has the activation handle on the opposite side as their other models so you don't have to remove your hand from the throttle to activate it.

Maybe you can run the activation handle to either side.... but you activate the float 30 with your left hand so you dont have to let go of the throttle either (and i think the float 18 is the same).

 

[NRHS]

BCA only offers the 22 and 32 avi bags now. The 22 is just a bit smaller than the 30 used to be, the 32 is much bigger and is great for carrying a lot of gear.

 

[SnowBigDeal]

The float 18 is a small pack and doesn't have a lot of storage space. The Float 22 (& float 22 throttle) have a lot more storage than the 18L. The airbags are the same on either pack. The trigger is on the right shoulder on the 18L and on the float 22 Throttle (the Normal Float 22 has the trigger on the left shoulder).

We have the float 18 on sale for $574 with a canister.
http://www.snowbigdeal.com/avalanch...he-airbags/bca-float-18-avalanche-airbag.html

 

[Mtn-Track]

I have a float 18, and the handle is on the right side. That would seem like the correct side for sledding. I reach across with my left hand to pull it. Since it hangs on the shoulder strap, if you put any backpack on and locate a point midway between the shoulder and elbow, that is about where mine hangs, so it would be hard to pull with the same side, I think.

I have the BCA 18 and I'm with you 100% on your assessment. I have long forearms and with the '18' set-up I'd just reach over with my left arm to activate it. Unless the trigger is on top of my right shoulder I wouldn't be able to grab it with my right hand!

I'll stick with the '18'.

 

[BROX]

I had the 18 last year and it was too small for all the stuff i like to take with me. I tend to overpack so that depends on how much stuff you like to take with you. I picked up the Throttle 22 at the show this past weekend and I am very happy with it so far. I took the gear that completely stuffed the 18 and put it in the 22 and have a comfortable amount of room left over to stuff a extra shirt or similar. Very happy with the size, i felt the 30 and the new 32 are too big.

I also like the separate pocket the 22 has for the shovel, handle and probe. This is very nice when opening the pack to get something out. And I think the 22 is a pound lighter than the 18.