Orthovox or BCA
- Thread starter bunker86
- Start date
A
airmanf
Member
Personally I would recomend the Barryvox Element. It is very easy to use as is the BCA, but in a multiple burial situation after you locate one signal you can check it off and it will pick up the other signal without any interference. The directional display is another nice touch. Easiest one to use in my opinion.
The better beacon is the one that you know how to use in the dark with a blindfold on. If you're involved in a slide situation and have to find someone, having the most advanced beacon on the planet wont make a lick of difference to your buddy if you haven't ever used it. Any new digital beacon from either company will work up to the abilities of the user. Pick one and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
All beacons run on the same frequency, and therefore will all "communicate" with each other. Personally, I run a BCA Tracker, because as far as I've seen, it's the industry standard (and I got pro pricing through being a Ski Patroller... but thats another story). They introduced the Tracker 2 a few years ago, and I have friends who swear by theirs. No experience with Ortovox at this point. Hope it helps, and great question!
R
russya
New member
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Avalanche-Beacon-Reviews
this has a really good overview of all the beacons. I have friends with both BCA, Mammut pulse, and the Ortovox. To me the S1 is the most fool proof and in my experience is most consistent in finding another beacon no matter if it's multiple burials or single. Choose the one that makes the most sense to you and practice often with who you go with and even more important, take a class. Knowing how to avoid avalanches in the first place and how to probe and dig out someone who is buried is the most important thing to know when going into avalanche country. Learn the science yourself and don't count on other people to make your safety decisions for you
this has a really good overview of all the beacons. I have friends with both BCA, Mammut pulse, and the Ortovox. To me the S1 is the most fool proof and in my experience is most consistent in finding another beacon no matter if it's multiple burials or single. Choose the one that makes the most sense to you and practice often with who you go with and even more important, take a class. Knowing how to avoid avalanches in the first place and how to probe and dig out someone who is buried is the most important thing to know when going into avalanche country. Learn the science yourself and don't count on other people to make your safety decisions for you
any beacon transmitting on the 457mhz will be able to find and be found by others on the same frequency. the tracker 2 is a simple enough to operate that a new user will typically figure it out on their own rather quickly. it is basic but effective. do not purchase a first edition tracker. there are many other options out there that will better suit your needs. Ortovox has several beacons on the market. you can research them here.
there may be a beacon that best suites your needs but all of the current 3 or more antenna digital beacons out there are quality products. bottom line is to learn the basics of using one, get familiar with yours and practice frequently. imo, learning about electronic interference is just as important as knowing how to turn the beacon on. gps, cell phones, cameras, etc all can decrease a beacons range by as much as 90%.
there may be a beacon that best suites your needs but all of the current 3 or more antenna digital beacons out there are quality products. bottom line is to learn the basics of using one, get familiar with yours and practice frequently. imo, learning about electronic interference is just as important as knowing how to turn the beacon on. gps, cell phones, cameras, etc all can decrease a beacons range by as much as 90%.
