Better Beacon? Need quick!

[PowderBrad]

Hey Guys,

Posted in general, no responses so............

http://www.snowbigdeal.com/servlet/the-Avalanche-Beacons/Categories

Between the Ortovox Patroller and Tracker DTS. Similar prices, which is better and what should I get? I've used the DTS before and am familiar, but the new patroller one looks intriguing.

Anyone have any insight, im ordering today just dunno which I should get.

Thanks,

 

[the_machinist]

I'm not familiar w/ that model of the Ortovox, but usually find them to be a little quirky. I use a Barryvox, not the new pulse and like it. I also like the tracker but size wise is a little bulky.

You should be able to google that ortovox and find a review of it on some backcountry ski website w/ testing.

The prices on that website are very fair.

 

[Stinkey Hammer]

Barryvox pulse.

 

[dcturbo]

Keep what you are use too. If the time ever comes that you have to find a buddy, your comfortable with what you are use too.. No matter which one you go with, get your buddies together and go out and hide a beacon and practice, practice and practice.. It could be your life that they are trying to save!!!

 

[PowderBrad]

its not an issue of my competance, I'll learn whichever one I must, and practice, well, I tinker with everything I own and like to know all about it so no issues with practice.

Just stuff like faster response, sizing (one guy said bulky in comparison), capability, accuracy. unfortunately, they dont go into much technical detail on THAT site.

I guess Ill just check beacon reviews maybe they've some stuff on the patroller.

thanks though

 

[DVarmit]

For what it is worth as I moved to the mountains a little bit ago.... I just used the Ortovox S1 Avalanche last Saturday at a avy course. I tried the older tone only models and BCA Trackers as well. I liked the S1 Avalanche the best. It showed multiple burials clearly and labeled each with the number of meters. It was nice to see a visual layout of who was were verses getting mixed signals for multiple burials on the tone or BCA Trackers. Now, with that said. If I am buried I don't give a rats A$$ what you use as long as you are really really good with it..

 

[LID]

I use the Barryvox Pulse. It's a nice size and weight, very easy to use and is excellent for multiple burials and pinpointing at close range. It senses when there's more than one beacon buried, isolates them, and lets you switch from finding one to the other.

 

[robwashdvm]

Check out beaconreviews.com. Very good information and model comparison. I use a Barryvox 3000. Made my decision based on the info from that site. Very happy.

 

[SnowBigDeal]

The Tracker DTS is the easiest to use for beginners. It has five directional arrows, where the Patroller only has three. The Patroller jumps around quite a bit with direction and distance. If you give a Tracker to someone who has never used a beacon in their life, they'll find the victim without any problems. It's "fool proof" to use. If you give a Patroller to a beginner, it's probably going to confuse them. They are about the same size, so that shouldn't be a concern. The new Trackers come with a nice carrying pouch and harness, and the Patroller only has straps and the strap needs to be attached to the beacon for it to turn on. To switch between transmit and search modes, the Tracker is a lot easier to switch with gloves on. All you do is push the big red button in the middle. The Patroller requires you to move a switch while you spin the dial to "search" mode. They are quite similar in price, but the Tracker has proven itself through time to be the fastest and easiest.

 

[captain extreme]

i read and heard lots of good things about the mammut, so thats what i picked up its awsome compared to the ol SOS

 

[Daniel Boondocker]

Othovox S1

X2 on the Orthovox S1. My freinds and fam are worth it.

 

[High Velocity]

X2 on the Orthovox S1. My freinds and fam are worth it.

X3 on the S1. I bought one at the Edmonton Sled Show and have been playing around with it a fair bit. Seems very easy to use.

 

[Trenchmaster]

i read and heard lots of good things about the mammut, so thats what i picked up its awsome compared to the ol SOS

Not to sure about the Mammut, but when we test our beacons the ol SOS has more range than the new digital Tracker!!!

 

[Beartoothclimb]

Not to sure about the Mammut, but when we test our beacons the ol SOS has more range than the new digital Tracker!!!

Analog becaons always have a greater range than digitals. Most people that i know that have tried the S1 do not like it. when i used it i got the symbol to stop moving way to much, which i did not like. give the S1 a little more time and i'm sure it will be money. i'm much faster with my D3. Tracker and barryvox seem to be a great choice. Be aware of buying beacons with a 'flag' function like the pieps since new studies have shown that the signature of some beacons can overlap and cause the flag to be deleted or the becaon never to be flagged at all.

 

[Rixster]

www.beaconreviews.com