What avy backpack would you recommend?

m002928 · Nov 19, 2012

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...

This is what I run, a snowmobile specific bag.

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

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

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

WELL PUT! We just bought 2 of the ABS Vario systems with a number of different packs for each to suit different conditions and needs. We bought them for most of the reasons outlined in this post . . . two bags (redundancy!), better trigger (patented!), lighter bag (not true in every case), no leakage from the cylinder (I haven't heard of any issues though every ABS cylinder is refilled by ABS and NOT by a local SCUBA shop. There are local retailers, however, that stock new ABS cylinders and allow you to trade in used cylinders for ~$40), orientation of the bags when deployed (this is personal preference and I'm not convinced the existing data has credibly proven that one orientation dominates the others), and multiple backpack size options that zip into the base Vario unit (very useful as I do a lot of b/c skiing and SAR work too). I'm surprised how many purchasing comments I've seen on this thread that seem to lean toward BCA based primarily on their canisters. Is filling up a BCA canister locally with a $15 air charge SIGNIFICANTLY better than replacing an ABS nitrogen canister locally for $40??? Why make a purchasing decision based on a $25 difference in refill cost? How many times are riders planning to pull the trigger on these bags? There's a reason that every manufacturer except for ABS is using mechanical activation. ABS created the charged trigger activation and then patented the technology! I'm confident that if I ever have a reason to pull my trigger, the $25 extra dollars I'll incur to replace the canister will be the LAST item on my mind . . . I WANT THE BAG TO HAVE THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY OF DEPLOYING AS DESIGNED. All that said, the ABS bags will hurt your pocket and I'll give two thumbs up to anyone who rides in avalanche terrain and makes the smart decision to buy an air bag . . . regardless of brand!!! Stay safe out there guys because right now in most areas we're (sledders) still dying at a higher rate than any other group accessing avalanche terrain. Buy quality equipment, KNOW HOW TO USE IT, PRACTICE WITH IT, DEMAND YOUR BUDDIES DO THE SAME, SEEK TO CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE YOUR AVALANCHE EDUCATION, USE YOUR BRAIN, have fun, and ride safe!
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m002928 · Nov 19, 2012

Ske-Bum said:
Was looking at a avy backpack for sledding however I also backcountry ski. So I was on websites today looking at both sledding and backcountry skiing avy packs and I'm having trouble telling the difference is there is any, from web pics. Anyone looked at both and can tell me the major differences, if there are any?

No. The differences in the packs are very minimal. Primarily it's the same pack marketed to different audiences. I do a lot of backcountry skiing too. There are many reasons we purchased the ABS Vario system, but as a skier you'll appreciate the ability to zip different sized packs onto each base unit. I purchased a 5L pack for sledding and a 40L pack for skiing. ABS charges a considerable amount for the base Vario unit and then a little over $100 for each pack size. No other brand currently allows you to convert the size of your pack attached to the airbag system. This feature probably doesn't make a difference to most sledders, but it's a benefit if you're looking for a pack that can serve multiple activities.

backcountryislife · Nov 19, 2012

modsledr said:
If I'm reading this right, what you're saying is that in an avy (which I've never been in thankfully, and I know you have first hand experience so I defer to your experience)...the chance of keeping the throttle pinned AND pulling the handle on your avy pack would be slim.

I agree with this thought process. Any time you're WOT, there is LITTLE chance of being able to let go with the left hand and actually do something that requires coordination.

Personally, I want my trigger hand to be my primary (right) hand. Once my avy pack is deployed, I'll hopefully be able to have an opportunity to get back on the throttle and have a chance to getting to the edge. Having seen MANY videos of riders caught in an avy, the odds of this happening are slim (not impossible, but slim)...avalanches are VERY powerful...those who ride with the mindset that you will be able to "outride" them are living in fantasy land, IMO.

I've outridden a couple (nothing huge, but even a little guy will make you pee your pants a bit

) but I agree there's no guarantee!!

I have the strap needed to swap mine to the other hand, so I put it on the bag & just made a few "air pulls" to see how it felt to me, going from one hand to the other. I found that without bars in my hands I always reached with both hands (which is how I pulled in the slide I was in) but I feel more comfortable with my right hand actually on the trigger. I then went into a field & tried going full throttle and taking a hand off... and just about ate crap. The last thing I'd want to do is lose my ability to POSSIBLY ride out, because I pulled my hand off.

I know I'm not the only one who has been caught, and my situation was different, as every one will be, and I've heard from others who feel differently, this is just how I feel. Being that it's such a serious situation we're talking about... I happen to feel strongly about it, but understand that others may feel strongly about the exact opposite! :yo:

Either way... with ABS you can pull from either side. The strap that swaps over is easy to get & cheap. To this day it's still on my shoulder strap... just not with the trigger on it.

Ske-Bum · Nov 19, 2012

m002928 said:
No. The differences in the packs are very minimal. Primarily it's the same pack marketed to different audiences. I do a lot of backcountry skiing too. There are many reasons we purchased the ABS Vario system, but as a skier you'll appreciate the ability to zip different sized packs onto each base unit. I purchased a 5L pack for sledding and a 40L pack for skiing. ABS charges a considerable amount for the base Vario unit and then a little over $100 for each pack size. No other brand currently allows you to convert the size of your pack attached to the airbag system. This feature probably doesn't make a difference to most sledders, but it's a benefit if you're looking for a pack that can serve multiple activities.

Perfect, this is the information I was looking for. I will look into these packs, sounds like good system.

mr.deeds · Nov 19, 2012

Question on the ABS bags (or the ones that have 2 inflating bags)... I've heard some people say that they went with them because if they hit a tree and pop one bag they still have another.... Is that right? I would think that if they filled off of the same cannister that they would be connected and if one went they both would.- unless they have 2 cannisters or use 1-way valves?

backcountryislife · Nov 20, 2012

mr.deeds said:
Question on the ABS bags (or the ones that have 2 inflating bags)... I've heard some people say that they went with them because if they hit a tree and pop one bag they still have another.... Is that right? I would think that if they filled off of the same cannister that they would be connected and if one went they both would.- unless they have 2 cannisters or use 1-way valves?

Popping one won't deflate the other. I dont' know the internals, but there must be a one way valve. That is one of the reasons I prefer ABS.

B_Griffin · Nov 20, 2012

Snow pulses

Much like yourselves, I have been doing a bit of reading lately on the various airbag packs. I compared the BCA, Wary Avi-Vest, the Snowpulse Highmark and the Snowpulse Pro-Tech vest. When I ride I like to keep the bulk and the weight down, so a light weight comfortable back pack was my first priority. I was drawn to the Pro-Tech vest because of the head protection when the airbag inflates seems like a wonderful idea. My brother in law beat me to the punch and ordered one, I'm sure glad he did. The straps are bulky and the pack itself is heavy, after seeing one in person I was glad I didn't decide to purchase it even with the added head protection. After that incident I decided a vest seemed like the most logical and comfortable solution, which automatically ruled out the BCA. I compared the Wary and the Snowpulse and went with the snow pulse because they use a heavy fabric and the seem to be a bit more established, which to me is important because if I drop $1k on something I want to know the companies going to be around to support it for some time.

In summation I can say that in a side by side comparison of the Highmark and the Pro-Tech vest the vest is far and away more comfortable, and lighter. I would recommend it to anyone and could not be more happier with my purchase.

If you would like more details pm me and I can send you pictures, weights, etc of either pack.

NRHS · Nov 21, 2012

$1,000 or more just seems awfully expensive to me for an av bag when I can get a BCA for $575. I just cannot see where there is almost $400 or more worth of features???

mox052777 · Nov 21, 2012

Anyone considering the Polaris bag needs to watch out. Got mine and it didn't come with canister or handle. Dealer checked into this calling Polaris and local rep, Polaris said sorry, canister and handle are additional 180 bucks. So basically what Polaris is giving you is a 1,000 satchel. I'm going to return mine and look for something else. Who in the hell produces and promotes an avy bag for a grand that doesn't work out of the box. Ridiculous.

Scott · Nov 21, 2012

mox052777 said:
Anyone considering the Polaris bag needs to watch out. Got mine and it didn't come with canister or handle. Dealer checked into this calling Polaris and local rep, Polaris said sorry, canister and handle are additional 180 bucks. So basically what Polaris is giving you is a 1,000 satchel. I'm going to return mine and look for something else. Who in the hell produces and promotes an avy bag for a grand that doesn't work out of the box. Ridiculous.

Good luck finding an avy backpack that DOES sell their canister inside the pack.

Click on technical specs.
http://www.backcountryaccess.com/product/float-22/

I know for a fact they don't come with canisters. Canisters are sold separately.

I might be wrong....BUT I think it's that way industry-wide.

Tedd · Nov 21, 2012

If you are looking for a vest, you should take a look at the Wary Avi Vest.

Now, I will also say that I sell both the Snowpulse line as well as the Wary line of avy packs.

The Protech vest is a great product, but it is $1000.00 before shipping after adding the bottle and armor to the price of the vest.

The Wary Avi Vest is $829 with bottle and armor before shipping.

The Wary vest is completely 100% American Made in Minnesota. Bottles are easily refillable at any paintball or dive shop. We can also sell you an adaptor to fill them at a fire station with an SCBA compressor if you have access to one.

This same info applies to the packs as well.

Norona · Nov 22, 2012

Scott said:
Good luck finding an avy backpack that DOES sell their canister inside the pack.

Click on technical specs.
http://www.backcountryaccess.com/product/float-22/

I know for a fact they don't come with canisters. Canisters are sold separately.

I might be wrong....BUT I think it's that way industry-wide.

That is because Polaris purchases the bags through ABS and did not buy or purchase bottles with the packs. The 2012/13 ABS Vario in Canada new sells for $980.00 and include's a handle(trigger) and bottle! If you want then you can purchase the polaris zip in...if your in the US check out snowbigdeal.com cade and his staff are awesome to deal with!

Blu Du · Nov 23, 2012

when i bought my abs 4 yrs ago i had to test fire it in the store for proof that it worked. back then klim distributed abs

Norona · Nov 24, 2012

Blu Du said:
when i bought my abs 4 yrs ago i had to test fire it in the store for proof that it worked. back then klim distributed abs

ABS wants you to blow off your bag at the store so you can test it, show you the owner how easy it is to pull and reset the bags, cartridge and handle, and it also increases your warranty by 2 years in doing so to get people to do this. Every bag should be test fired the moment you buy it or soon after and as many times as possible to ensure it becomes natural to pull it in a weird situation. There have been many instances where people have bought avy bags, never tested them an used them for a season or half a season and then fired them only to have the bag not deploy! Test your bags!

mox052777 · Nov 24, 2012

Scott:

Not really sure what you are talking about because 2 years ago I bought a bca float 30, new in the box, for $575.00 and it came with all parts needed to operate bag including canister. So you knowing for a fact is incorrect.

Moreover, I can buy an abs bag with handle and canister for $950.00, brand new, just without Polaris logo. I'm an avid Polaris supporter but for $1,200 I could give two craps what the logo on the bag is, if anything. Put everything in bag or doen't sell it. Just my thoughts.

Scott · Nov 24, 2012

mox052777 said:
Scott:

Not really sure what you are talking about because 2 years ago I bought a bca float 30, new in the box, for $575.00 and it came with all parts needed to operate bag including canister. So you knowing for a fact is incorrect.

No, it's not incorrect. I know for a fact that BCA doesn't sell their packs with a canister.

In the industry, many do not sell with canisters.

Blu Du · Nov 24, 2012

Scott said:
No, it's not incorrect. I know for a fact that BCA doesn't sell their packs with a canister.

In the industry, many do not sell with canisters.

i think your wrong.

sledsrock · Nov 24, 2012

Norona said:
ABS wants you to blow off your bag at the store so you can test it, show you the owner how easy it is to pull and reset the bags, cartridge and handle, and it also increases your warranty by 2 years in doing so to get people to do this. Every bag should be test fired the moment you buy it or soon after and as many times as possible to ensure it becomes natural to pull it in a weird situation. There have been many instances where people have bought avy bags, never tested them an used them for a season or half a season and then fired them only to have the bag not deploy! Test your bags!

Yep, test your bags..........

I had family over and my dad was really intrigued by this new wave of technology, and besides the wifey had not seen it in action....so I figured what the heck......had my boy throw on my BCA throttle 22 and pull the rip chord! Blamo......instant airbag! Scared the wifey (not sure what she thought would happen, lol)......any way, simple repack and I'll refill the bottle Monday at work. Everyone needs a bag, pick a flavor and pony up! I used to think I can't afford one........BUT I could afford, a BB motor, head, clutches, tracks, pipes, bells, whistles, more bells and whistles, etc......Hmmmmm....to think I can afford all those mods BUT not a device to help possibly save my life and bring me back home to my family??? WOW was I ever stupid to think that for one second! Safety first, fun second!

regardstobuck · Nov 24, 2012

For what its worth... I just purchased a BCA float 18 from snowbigdeal on a black friday sale... $500+tax(utah) for everything- Bag and canister and Free shipping.
I liked the Float 18 because it is quite a bit smaller than the other packs, seems to be perfect for sledding. The Sale is still going on so if your in the market is might be worth checking out.

http://www.snowbigdeal.com/black-friday-cyber-monday.html

Dartos · Nov 25, 2012

I saw you posting for the sale and was really hoping the ABS SB5 was on sale ...... But no such luck.

What avy backpack would you recommend?

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