Feedback on BCA Float 30 Avy Pack or other brands

[Timbre]

I am planning on getting an Avy pack this year, and am looking for some feedback from those who have used, or have riding buddies who have used, the BCA Float 30 Avalanche pack. This appears to be the least expensive pack i have found in my "online shopping".

It looks like there has been an "update" to this pack recently...? What was the "issue" and how will i know i am getting the updated pack?

Is it advisable to purchase/carry an extra "canister" for this?

I would like to know the good and the not-so-good features of this pack (if any) and where i might get it for the best price. I am not looking for anyone to bash this pack or any other brands....just honest feedback of one's experiences.

I am also open to suggestions/recommendations of other brands. This one just looks like the best priced one that i have come across so far.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

 

[10003514]

Bought 2 Float 30 bags last year nothing but good to say about the bag. They are the second generation from BCA, got a few little upgrades from their first year bags. I'm pretty sure all you can buy now is the second generation. I see no need to carry an extra bottle there is a gage in the bag that tells you how much pressure is in the bottle, make sure its at room temp. for proper air pressure reading. I did a test pop of the bag filled up grate the big bonus is $15 to fill bottle and can be filled at many places with compressed air. The bag has lots of room which is good and bad. I find it a little big sometimes might want to look at the Float 18 but depends what you carry. I am super happy with my choice and thats compairing to bags like ABS and Snowpulse.

 

[TIM]

I have an abs and my brother has a bca avy pack. Mine was twice the price. Neither one of us has had to deploy the pack in a bad situation. But when comparing the packs, they are both heavy and cumbersome.

It looks like the bca was built with a selling price in mind and the abs was built not caring what price it would be sold at. I have no problem with the bca, i have some of there other stuff. But some things should be bought with out price in mind. If you don't ever get in avy terrain and want to have an avy pack just incase, get the bca. IF you are in avy terrain all the time and play the odds, get the abs.

I will say that i don't like the abs shovel system at all. it does seem like an after thought. But i don't like shovel systems that don't have the shovel inside the pack. so that could be just me.

 

[PalousePoo]

I had the first gen float 30 Sold it and bought an abs freeride because the 30 litre float is way more storage than i needed and was a little on the long side, hanging below my butt some. I like the shovel pan storage on the outside of the abs, and really like it's smaller size.

 

[Tonysnoo]

I had an ABS bag. I saw an AviVest at a snow show and loved it. The vest concept just worked for me so much better than belts and straps. My suggestion is no mater what you buy, try it on to see how it fits and works for you.

Good luck!

 

[Timbre]

Thanks for all your input gentlemen!
I just made a purchase today. I got the new 2012 BCA Float 30. There was another upgrade done to the pulling mechanism that makes it easier to pull as well as an upgrade to the pulling handle itself...so i was told. Should be here by the end of the week.

Getting help/opinions/suggestions about things like this is what makes this site such an incredible place to belong.

Thanks again . . Cheers!!