Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

  • Don't miss out on all the fun! Register on our forums to post and have added features! Membership levels include a FREE membership tier.

Snowpulse or ABS

I ordered the ABS Vario this year with a few different attachments. I like the idea of being able to change my pack size. I also like the fact that the ABS is a proven product. As far as the refill charge goes, if I get caught in an avy and I have to pull the cord I'm not going to be snibbling over the cost of the refill!:rolleyes: The Escape series from ABS is also cheaper in comparison to the Snowpulse if it came down to money.:beer;
 
abs 15 here.

Abs for a few reasons. PROVEN SAFTEY RECORD,Switch Handels,Water pack is optional,Lots of stg..even more with the 30 vario, leg straps, quialty made..O yeah it dosent look like your wearing a rag around your neck.
 
I have been wearing the ABS 30 for several years now and while I cant speak for how it works (knock on wood wont have too) I can say that if I was looking again to buy, the fact that they do have a 100% track record, well except for the one guy who didnt pull his handle, is where I would lean to getting the ABS pack. Very leary of buying the first of a new thing that I may have to put my life on the line for to find out they missed something in development.

Obviously the odds of something being wrong with the new one are pretty slim but.... I'm personally just not willing.

The upside I see with the new one is it is a bit lighter, that would be nice. Could be just the fact that I load my ABS up with a zillion pairs of dry gloves and my probe and shovel (dont believe in storing these in the sled cause if it got buried, well you know what would happen then to any buddies that are buried) so it always seems to weigh a lot.

As to the cost of refill as sled fiend mentioned, is $80 for your life worth it??? Guessing it is. Same goes for buying one of these packs, I'd easily drop $1G on my sled, truck, gsxr thou, you name any toy I have and I spend like there's no tomorrow so to spend $1000, or $1250 for the chance of saving my life and going home that day to my wife,,,, it's not even a question really, everyone should have one just for the increased odds you have. A good friend was taken by an avy and he didnt have one of these, would it have helped, dont know but I am now not willing to take the extra chance of not having one now. Good on ya for not worrying about the $$ for your life and taking the first step. :)

Point on this is cost shouldn't even be a factor really, go with what your comfortable with. In my mind the decision is between new to market or field proven.

-I can make it by with the few extra pounds.
-Bags out the sides or bags around your head, either really better??? Many victims recieve deadly trauma from getting dragged over debris on the way down. So maybe in theory having your head higher in the snow (from bag around your head) would be a positive thing.
-I know the ABS is quality made, several years with zero rips, etc.
-Either one you get, pull the cord before each season to test it out for no leaks

I'd go ABS again though for now.
 
Last edited:
changes ABS packs over the years

I need a pack and I know a guy who bought an ABS pack 5 years ago who wants to sell his. Have there been many changes in ABS packs in the past 5 and if so are any "show-stoppers"?
 
i use the freeride ABS. i like to have as little as possible on my back, so this allows me to only carry the shovel, probe, and some firestuff( in case i lost my sled in a slide).
 
thump426er said:
I have been wearing the ABS 30 for several years now and while I cant speak for how it works (knock on wood wont have too) I can say that if I was looking again to buy, the fact that they do have a 100% track record, well except for the one guy who didnt pull his handle, is where I would lean to getting the ABS pack. Very leary of buying the first of a new thing that I may have to put my life on the line for to find out they missed something in development.

Obviously the odds of something being wrong with the new one are pretty slim but.... I'm personally just not willing.

The upside I see with the new one is it is a bit lighter, that would be nice. Could be just the fact that I load my ABS up with a zillion pairs of dry gloves and my probe and shovel (dont believe in storing these in the sled cause if it got buried, well you know what would happen then to any buddies that are buried) so it always seems to weigh a lot.

As to the cost of refill as sled fiend mentioned, is $80 for your life worth it??? Guessing it is. Same goes for buying one of these packs, I'd easily drop $1G on my sled, truck, gsxr thou, you name any toy I have and I spend like there's no tomorrow so to spend $1000, or $1250 for the chance of saving my life and going home that day to my wife,,,, it's not even a question really, everyone should have one just for the increased odds you have. A good friend was taken by an avy and he didnt have one of these, would it have helped, dont know but I am now not willing to take the extra chance of not having one now. Good on ya for not worrying about the $$ for your life and taking the first step. :)

Point on this is cost shouldn't even be a factor really, go with what your comfortable with. In my mind the decision is between new to market or field proven.

-I can make it by with the few extra pounds.
-Bags out the sides or bags around your head, either really better??? Many victims recieve deadly trauma from getting dragged over debris on the way down. So maybe in theory having your head higher in the snow (from bag around your head) would be a positive thing.
-I know the ABS is quality made, several years with zero rips, etc.
-Either one you get, pull the cord before each season to test it out for no leaks

I'd go ABS again though for now.
Click to expand...


Good post:beer;
 
I am also leaning toward the snopulse. I have heard of trouble traveling (flying) with the abs pack because of the contense of the bottle. And I have read that the snowpulse is ok for flight travel. I really dont think the refilling is big issue, unless you set it off on accident. then its going to suck waiting to get your abs tank refilled, where you can take the snowpulse tank to a local dive shop and they can refill it. I have also heard concers about the gas used in the abs vs. the gas used in the snowpulse. Do you want a gas that will sufficate you (abs) IF you are burried or a gas that you could breath (snowpulse)?
Sure the abs has a proven record, but what was everyone saying about it when it was new? I think the snowpulse is going to prove to be a great product and in a couple of years the big argument between the 2 will be price.
 
snowpulse

I'm getting the snowpulse. I like the design of wrapping around my pumpkin, cause it's a fairly large target for a tree or rock. My wife uses the ABS and it works just fine. The only problem with ABS, as someone already mentioned, is the week to 10 day turnaround to get the cylinder refilled. My wife accidentally activated her ABS and it was 10 days before the recharged cylinder got back here. That's not acceptable when there's 3 feet of fresh and a bright, blue sky. I'll set up a refill station for the snowpulse and not miss any days. I'll pay the little extra, if it is any more for the snowpulse, and ensure I'm riding when I want to as well as all the other reasons already mentioned here.:D:beer;
 
umm, the abs pack comes with 2 nitrogen canisters. You have an extra. Set one off then just send it in. If you set off 2 canisters in a 10 day period.....you have other issues to worry about. Like where NOT to ride. So how will the ABS packs nitrogen suffocate you? The nitrogen is in the bags not outside them in the ambient air....unless the bags pop under the snow. Are you going to be able to pull your head up and arms around to swim with the snowpulse bag if you need to use it to keep you afloat if you somehow get dumped into a Lake? Looks like that would be a PITA with the snowpulse bag. This was prolly the main reason I went with the ABS pack instead. You need to be able to "swim" on fast moving snow as well...
 
Last edited:
They do come with 2, but you don't get to keep both. To keep your warranty you must test fire the unit to ensure it inflates and doesn't leak. Then you return the canister and trigger and some paperwork saying you did this and you are left with one. You can get a second one for an extra $160.00 + taxes. This is what you need to do up here in Canada, maybe the requirements are different in the States.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Avi pack style opinions
Replies
5
Views
1K
BubbleNuts
B
T
Which avy air bag vest WITH protection is the best?
Replies
9
Views
1K
titus_4
titus_4
G
School me on handlebars, please.
Replies
5
Views
615
IDspud
IDspud
E
After riding weight test
Replies
16
Views
1K
Ken65
K
line8
Shocks front/Rear
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
boondocker97
boondocker97
Premium Features
Join Now Free!



Back
Top