Probe Question?
- Thread starter Ore-sno
- Start date
From Mike Duffy's Site
http://www.avalanche1.com/content/gear
Probe
What to look for: Large diameter aluminum tubing or carbon fiber. The longer the probe the more effective it is. Don’t buy a probe under 260cm(8’6”).
1. Backcountry Access Carbon 260 or SR3 $79/$59
2. Black Diamond Guide Probe 300 $59.95
3. G3 320 probe $84.95
The larger diameter is easier to grip." Get your mind out of the gutter"
http://www.avalanche1.com/content/gear
Probe
What to look for: Large diameter aluminum tubing or carbon fiber. The longer the probe the more effective it is. Don’t buy a probe under 260cm(8’6”).
1. Backcountry Access Carbon 260 or SR3 $79/$59
2. Black Diamond Guide Probe 300 $59.95
3. G3 320 probe $84.95
The larger diameter is easier to grip." Get your mind out of the gutter"
C
CoyoteGirl
Well-known member
I previously had the Ortovox 240 and that was just to short. It also required you to screw a cap on once you got it pulled tight.
I just got this one Carbon 340 from BCA and I am totally diggin' it! It snaps together without any need for you to manually do anything other than throw the probe out and pull it together tightly.
2 big reasons I bought this is the length at 340cm and it is a meaty sucker.
Info from their site:
Our longest probe with lightweight carbon fiber tubing for search-and-rescue.
Silk-screened depth markings in 1 cm increments with clear, protective coating
7-section carbon fiber tubing
Extended length: 11 feet, 2 inches/340 cm
Collapsed length: 18.5 inches/47 cm
Weight: 11.1 ounces/315 grams
Storage bag included
Does not stow inside shovel shaft
I just got this one Carbon 340 from BCA and I am totally diggin' it! It snaps together without any need for you to manually do anything other than throw the probe out and pull it together tightly.
2 big reasons I bought this is the length at 340cm and it is a meaty sucker.
Info from their site:
Our longest probe with lightweight carbon fiber tubing for search-and-rescue.
Silk-screened depth markings in 1 cm increments with clear, protective coating
7-section carbon fiber tubing
Extended length: 11 feet, 2 inches/340 cm
Collapsed length: 18.5 inches/47 cm
Weight: 11.1 ounces/315 grams
Storage bag included
Does not stow inside shovel shaft
Agreed on the long ones. I got a 320 ortovox stainless version. They are expensive and heavier, but it is beefy. It is also long enough to help make an impromptu shelter with my space blankets..
I have heard stories where after doing a search line, a lot of the probes are junked due to poor quality.
Remember, they aren't going into soft powder, they are going into rock hard snow. The same thing with a shovel. You aren't going to be using it in powder, you are going to use it on the hard stuff. I have been told it is similar to a furrow from a plot.. or a snowbank from a plow. That crap is hard!!!
I have heard stories where after doing a search line, a lot of the probes are junked due to poor quality.
Remember, they aren't going into soft powder, they are going into rock hard snow. The same thing with a shovel. You aren't going to be using it in powder, you are going to use it on the hard stuff. I have been told it is similar to a furrow from a plot.. or a snowbank from a plow. That crap is hard!!!
for sure go long, I like to make up for my very short and thin "manhood" with a big *** probe. Avi debris is very hard, I've seen a lot of people struggle to get skinny probes into the snow. they bend like a noodle.
and yes 3m at least. with markers is handy because then you get the depth and know how far downhill to start digging. Burial depth x 1.5 approx.
the bigger thicker ones are heavier, but who cares, sledders are tough right?
there are some carbon ones out there.
and yes 3m at least. with markers is handy because then you get the depth and know how far downhill to start digging. Burial depth x 1.5 approx.
the bigger thicker ones are heavier, but who cares, sledders are tough right?
there are some carbon ones out there.
S
snowww1
Well-known member
Definitely go with the larger diameter and longer aluminum probes (260cm or longer). I like the self tensioning probes. Also, the BCA carbon fiber probes have stood up extremely well. Unfortunately, many probes are too short and weak. Heard that in a rescue in Jackson Hole last year, that 50% of the probes used in the rescue broke. I have had good luck with Black Diamond, BCA, Life Link and G3 probes. Mike Duffy
and Merry Christmas
