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.

What avy backpack would you recommend?

Only airbag that I know of that is designed specifically with snowmobiling in mind is the BCA Throttle (a redesigned Float 22), though its new, BCA has a good rep with past airbags, so should be a good item.

Air cylinders are swappable among the different BCA packs as well, which is nice, not to mention the ease of refill, can even look up approved BCA refill locations at: http://www.backcountryaccess.com/about/map2/ (choose "Refill Center" from the BCA Dealer Type drop down)

.
 
I am the odd ball here..I sport ABS..I still think to this day their trigger/bag is a more reliable setup. I feel that with the extreme temps I ride(as cold as -65) there is too much chance of the other bags having moisture issues which could keep them from firing...To me it comes down to having one as number 1 priority..but close to that is getting the one that you(after diligent research) feels will give you the best performance/protection in the event it has to be deployed........
 
thewayout said:
Anyone refill their own BCA pack. Can they be refilled with nitrigon?
Click to expand...

We also scuba dive (we have four tanks at the house) so we refill our own BCA float canisters. Typically, can get 4 fills out of one scuba tank.

Could the cylinder be filled with Nitrogen?--I don't see why not BUT nitrogen fills or blends (Nitrox) at the scuba shop are way more expensive.

I don't think the issue is with the air in cold temps, but rather with the trigger mechanism that is cable operated and the possibility of the cable freezing up. In the temps we run in Tahoe and the way that the cable runs internally in the strap--I'm not concerned. Too many Floats on the market, if it was a real problem they would have addressed it. BCA is very pro active, an example is when they made available the "easy pull" kit available to all their original Floats.
 
OEUnlimited said:
Only airbag that I know of that is designed specifically with snowmobiling in mind is the BCA Throttle (a redesigned Float 22), though its new, BCA has a good rep with past airbags, so should be a good item.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression the Snowpulse Highmark was also designed for snowmobiling?
 
Dartos said:
I was under the impression the Snowpulse Highmark was also designed for snowmobiling?
Click to expand...

As is the snowmobile line of vario ABS packs.

I prefer ABS for a ton of reasons.

2 bags, better trigger, lighter bag, no leakage from the cylinder, orientation of the bags when deployed, cylinder takes up less weight in the pack, compression straps (still don't understand why bca won't put them on their packs... I HATE having stuff flop around in the pack behind me),shovel on the outside of the pack, a pack I can put different bags on so I'm not tied to one size for the kind of $$ we spend...

This is what I run, a snowmobile specific bag.

variosb5_shovel.jpg


but I also have the bag from this one, that I can put on if I want 18 liters

arva_x_over_18_red_1.jpg


and the bag from this one in case I'm heading to a hut trip or filming that day

vario_25_gray-green.jpg


IMO, the ABS pack is far superior, but you pay for it.
 
backcountryislife said:
As is the snowmobile line of vario ABS packs.

I prefer ABS for a ton of reasons.

2 bags, better trigger, lighter bag, no leakage from the cylinder, orientation of the bags when deployed, cylinder takes up less weight in the pack, compression straps (still don't understand why bca won't put them on their packs... I HATE having stuff flop around in the pack behind me),shovel on the outside of the pack, a pack I can put different bags on so I'm not tied to one size for the kind of $$ we spend...

IMO, the ABS pack is far superior, but you pay for it.
Click to expand...

I think ABS is a great bag, not sure I agree with everything you said........
Lighter bag? The BCA float 22 is 5.5lbs complete......ABS is heavier 6.9 lbs. Now if they can ever get that CF bottle certed for the US, then it will be the lightest....BUT up goes the cost too. No leakage from cylinder? No gauge on the ABS bottle......so you can't even check pressure before leaving the parking lot. I have not heard of any issues with leakage from the BCA? But if there is I'd like to know about it? I agree, I like the shovel on the outside, in fact I built my own quick release shovel head pocket on my BCA. I also would like the option to change out the bag sizes if need be.....not sure how often that would be an issue for me.

Bottom line, any bag is better than no bag........I think BCA, ABS, Snowpulse all have a pretty good reputation. Nothing wrong with a little competition in the market to keep cost's reasonable. I think the guys who want an ABS will pay whatever the price is just to have an ABS bag, but the BCA bag is a great option for the 'other' guys that really don't want to have to drop that kind of coin to get a great bag.
 
sledsrock said:
I think ABS is a great bag, not sure I agree with everything you said........
Lighter bag? The BCA float 22 is 5.5lbs complete......ABS is heavier 6.9 lbs. Now if they can ever get that CF bottle certed for the US, then it will be the lightest....BUT up goes the cost too. No leakage from cylinder? No gauge on the ABS bottle......so you can't even check pressure before leaving the parking lot. I have not heard of any issues with leakage from the BCA? But if there is I'd like to know about it? I agree, I like the shovel on the outside, in fact I built my own quick release shovel head pocket on my BCA. I also would like the option to change out the bag sizes if need be.....not sure how often that would be an issue for me.

Bottom line, any bag is better than no bag........I think BCA, ABS, Snowpulse all have a pretty good reputation. Nothing wrong with a little competition in the market to keep cost's reasonable. I think the guys who want an ABS will pay whatever the price is just to have an ABS bag, but the BCA bag is a great option for the 'other' guys that really don't want to have to drop that kind of coin to get a great bag.
Click to expand...

I've seen empty canisters on Bca and snow pulse packs, I've never heard of an empty abs can, ever.
I love that there's different packs... it's come a long way in 5 years!!

Totally agree on the bottom line... GET a bag, whatever it is. You can always switch later, but getting caught in a slide while waiting for the perfect pack is somewhere I'd rather not be.

I like having a small pack for close to home days where I could hike down the drainage to the truck... but I'd be stupid to ride deep in the back country without a little more gear... I use the various pretty often.

Sent from my A200 using Tapatalk 2
 
I stopped by my local Polaris dealer and saw they have a new Polaris branded ABS back pack. The price was $999, so it is in the same neighborhood as the other ABS bags. They did not know what model it was based on.

Anyone know if this is based off a current ABS model or is it a Polaris only model?

Pure Polaris
 
Dartos said:
I stopped by my local Polaris dealer and saw they have a new Polaris branded ABS back pack. The price was $999, so it is in the same neighborhood as the other ABS bags. They did not know what model it was based on.

Anyone know if this is based off a current ABS model or is it a Polaris only model?

Pure Polaris
Click to expand...

It is an ABS Vario Base Unit branded with Polaris, same as the Ski Doo Branded ABS Base Unit.
 
Dartos said:
What is the pressure these ABS canisters get filled to?
Click to expand...

Who knows, as there is no gauge to know what the psi is. They are not consumer refillable only exchange......and a hazmat fee each time if you need it shipped to you. The BCA is filled to 2700 psi, I work in Aviation and have access to high pressure Nitrogen.....so refilling is not a problem for me.
 
Norona said:
It is an ABS Vario Base Unit branded with Polaris, same as the Ski Doo Branded ABS Base Unit.
Click to expand...

Norona Is the Polaris one a true Vario that zips the pack on and off so you can change the size? and what size is the pack that it comes with from Polaris, 15L or 5L ?
 
sledsrock said:
Who knows, as there is no gauge to know what the psi is. They are not consumer refillable only exchange......and a hazmat fee each time if you need it shipped to you. The BCA is filled to 2700 psi, I work in Aviation and have access to high pressure Nitrogen.....so refilling is not a problem for me.
Click to expand...


Snow Big Deal mentioned the info above(awesome person and shop to deal with) you can also weight the abs canister as the weight is right on each bottle. With over 500 blow off with abs I have never had one not work...ie bottles not do what they are designed to do..this is why ABS refills them so the bottles can be scrubbed, filled and sealed properly and a new o-ring put on the bottle, the exchange fee when you return your handle and bottle is for the shipping, with any system you have to go back to a shop to either fill your bottle or exchange it, except for those few who can do their own filling with bca or snowpulse. Like I have always said have a spare canister(bca or snow pulse) or canister and handle with abs is essential anyways as if you accidentally blow off your bag and cant get to a shop or store right away, you are not using something you spent a lot of money to use. With ABS if you have a spare canister and handle you can reset you back in 2 minutes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Avi pack style opinions
Replies
5
Views
1K
BubbleNuts
B
R
2023 9R questions
2
Replies
24
Views
2K
Ridin Ak
R
A
What will CAT do!! lack of dealers to do Recalls!!!
Replies
17
Views
1K
arcticridr
A
W
Need some input
Replies
2
Views
226
Woolygrizz
W
P
07 m6 coolant leak
Replies
1
Views
123
Old & slow
O
Premium Features
Join Now Free!



Back
Top