There are a lot of choices out there, and it is a tough decision on which one to get. Below are just some of my opinions throughout lots of searching, usage.
BCA Tracker DTS - Stupid simple to use. This is the one I recommend to people that don't get much time in training of beacon use. It has one button to push to get it into recieve mode. From there it works relatively good. If I am riding with friends that you are slightly unsure of what their reaction will be (plus experience) this is the one I tell them to get just for its ease of use.
BCA Tracker 2 - Not out yet (this is getting to be a little bit of a broken record). I have had discussions with them, and it sounds like November this year will finally be the time it comes out for public use. I did get to see two actual working demos of this beacon. BCA stayed true to their roots on this one and made it easy to use. Instead of pushing a button on the face of the unit, they put a little slider you pull down on. My initial testing with this one was unreal. It is a very fast unit. Switching from send to recieve it was picking up the sending beacon within less than a second, and putting you almost on top of it quickly. When this one finally comes out, it will prob be the beacon of recommendation for me.
Pieps Freeride - If you are on a budget, it is better than nothing. I hope I don't personally have to rely on a group with these units trying to find me. I was amazed at how slow this unit is to update and refresh. Also you have to push the button three times to get it into recieve mode. Overall in a panick situation (which most avy's are) this one would not be a good choice.
Pieps DSP - I like this unit alot (currently). Has alot of features, and is a very fast beacon to use. This one will take alot of time to learn, but once you know it I feel it is a great unit to have.
Mammut Pulse - Same as the Pieps DSP, a very nice beacon. Once again though, this unit has alot of features, and it takes alot of time to learn it.
Above are the beacons I have used a played with. Overall, almost all the choices are great, but you have to learn your beacon and how to use it. Take a avy class if you have not yet, as this will be the best tool you can have, knowledge.
Good luck on your choice.
