whats the beacon to have

[dragon12]

good questions, our group is doing the same thing this year and we were wondering the same things. hopefully mike duffy will be able to answer our questions on the 6th when he puts the class on in aitkin. it'd be nice to find somewhere that had some sort of group discounts.

Mike Duffy will definitely be able to answer your questions. Took his class earlier this year and I walked away with a lot more knowledge than when I walked in. He does a good job.

As far as beacons go, there are a few people who sell them on here. I see you have many offers. I just bought some earlier this week from a vendor on here and so far everything has gone well.

 

[Original Tetonice]

Buy a beacon you know how to use..........

More important......Make sure the group your with knows how to use there beacon. If you are buried and your life rely's on others to find you, you better make sure they know how.

ot

 

[stripe]

I have a tracker and my friends use trackers. They're very
eze to op Practice Practice Practice with whatever you buy

 

[Trenchmaster]

The Tracker is very easy to use but the range is not near as good as my old analog SOS. Last time out we hid one (beacon) under the snow. The SOS found the signal about 150 feet further out than the tracker could, but once the Tracker had the signal he went right to it.

 

[Ex-Member]

I have a tracker... real easy to use. Got free stuff through snowbigdeal from Mike Duffy's avy course in denver... definately worth the time for you and the guys you ride with to take one.

Having the right equipment is a step in the right direction, but knowing how to use the tools you have is what really makes the difference when it comes down to it.

 

[Cam]

I have the Mammut Barryvox and love it, Super easy to use, Does multiple burials and is a digital/analog so you get the best of both. We usually do a practice search every year and my beacon typically finds the hidden beacon first up agains SOS and Tracker but I am thinking about the new Mammut Pulse, If you and your group have them it will give a read on tiny movement like a heart beat or breathing plus it is a 3 antenna so you get a 3D search instead of 2D

 

[Tempest]

BCA Trackers are great and easy to use. But practice will make whatever beacon you have easier to use. Take an Avalanche class, it will teach you alot.

 

[PassRev]

Mammut Pulse.

I have had mine a year.
Very easy to use.

 

[Rixster]

PIEPS, thats my vote.
I think it is still the only one besides the berryvox (think thats what it is called) with 3 antnnas instead of just 2.

 

[To The Pipe]

I have a Tracker and would reccomend it. Very easy to use as far as trancievers go. You will need to practice with these things, A LOT!! Get a shovel and probe as well, a tranciever is no good without these. Here in western MT, many avy groups put on various levels of free or low cost seminars and field sessions. Completing one of these is a must before venturing into the backcountry

 

[BigRed118]

I hear about how easy the Tracker is. But if your signal is short ( when you are buried) what is the point? The Tracker has about a 30 meter range, the Ortovox D3 has about a 65 Meter range. It is digital and as easy to use if not easier. Let your buddies have the Trackers, but when you need to find me I want the long range beacon.

 

[bearclawbob]

Best Beacon - Group Discount

I have been using and selling the Arva beacon for the last seven years and have found them to be the most reliable and user friendly. I also sell the new Pieps and had found them to be a nice beacon also. The Arva sells for $250.00, but if you have four or more guys that want to buy one, I will selll them for $225.00 each. The Arva is popular with alot of the Search and Rescue teams around here. I myself was on Search and Rescue for a number of years and Arva is the only beacon I used. Contact me at 406-838-2040 if you are interested in finding out more about these beacons. Happy Holidays - Bearclaw Bob - Cooke City, Montana.

 

[brycter]

Piep all the way!!!! Super easy to use 3 way antenna and is upgradeable. Why screw around with you life get the good one.

 

[PassRev]

tincouch1212,

As you can see by the responses,
Tracker, Pieps, Ortovox, Barryvox and Arva products are actively supported by forum members.

The Tracker, which lead the beacon technology change from analog to digital and a more user friendly interface and has been around for a while and set a new standard for search speed and ease of use. As a result more people are using it.

Bottom line. A beacon is a tool, knowing how to use the tool makes all the difference in the world. Choose a beacon, from a friends recommendation or whatever, practice with it until it's controls and functions are second nature. Practice with your ridding buddies. If you don't already have them, get a pack (if you have money to burn get an ABS pack), a good shovel and separate 270 to 300 cm probe. As others have mentioned, take a level one avalanche course, preferably one oriented to snowmobiles.

Last, and maybe most important, develop safe travel habits. Learning to read the conditions, terrain, recent weather patterns and signs of past activity, reduces the associated risks. We carry the equipment as a precaution, however it's better to not have to use it... Eh?

 

[SnowBigDeal]

Bottom line. A beacon is a tool, knowing how to use the tool makes all the difference in the world. Choose a beacon, from a friends recommendation or whatever, practice with it until it's controls and functions are second nature. Practice with your ridding buddies. If you don't already have them, get a pack (if you have money to burn get an ABS pack), a good shovel and separate 270 to 300 cm probe. As others have mentioned, take a level one avalanche course, preferably one oriented to snowmobiles.

Last, and maybe most important, develop safe travel habits. Learning to read the conditions, terrain, recent weather patterns and signs of past activity, reduces the associated risks. We carry the equipment as a precaution, however it's better to not have to use it... Eh?

Hit the nail on the head

 

[Leterip]

snowbigdeal, no i did not buy them from you. and yes i have called bca and informed them of our issue, they actually had me send one back to them to check out, and they responded by telling me it was due to abuse! well i guess if falling off the sled, and possibly banging into the sled on an occasional dismount is abuse then i'm guilty. i told them that i would expect them to take a little abuse, since the last time i checked i didn't think that the hundreds of thousands of lbs of snow screaming down the hill barrell rolling you and throwing you around cared about being gentle. but i guess that's life and i will be replacing it, since my friends lives, and mine are well worth the money! but all around i am still going to buy another bca.

 

[BigRed118]

Just a thought but I have seen a trend of wearing the beacon on the outside of the jacket, this is a big no-no. Make sure to keep it protected so that it works when you need it most........

 

[reloader]

The point is to have one and know how to use it. I just wanted to point out there is deals on older ones and that is fine but it has to be 457 khz.
I use SOS model, but I like the newer digital ones too.
Then last year I went ahead and bought the ABS pack as well.
So now I ride with Beacon, probe, shovel and ABS pack. I dont dont what more you could do.

 

[deepdiver]

I have been a rescue team member for many years. I have used and owned many different types of units..I look at it this way...like "JOMAMA" said if you get into a situation where you have to use it it will be THE MOST stressful time of your life. Your mind will be going a million miles an hour especiallly if it is someone you know. I have done a few real life searchs and I prefer The Tracker hands down. Thats just my personal opinion.

If I am under the snow the Tracker would be what I would want the others to be using to find me, as it is IMHO the most user friendly unit there is for single burial. The Tracker is a solid made device and you will not be dissapointed with your purchase. Tracker uses a bright as hell red LED display. The LCD types are hard to see in bright sunlight conditions. For a non-Professional it is probably the best choice.

Gave my wife one for Christmas one year..hid it in the shed in the backyard in her new Klim jacket. (And to think she thought there was jewelery there)Gave her mine and she found it with very little instruction...(She took way too long but thats another story.
Whatever you get practice with it often.

I have used this www.backcountry.com for years and they are first rate. They are a full line backcountry outfitter with many product lines and choices. They have reviews etc..
It.s on sale right now for 229.00 with Free shipping. I think the average is closer to 300 for that unit. Dont forget to carry a probe and shovel. I lost a family friend a few years ago when he didnt have a beacon and the others with him did..he rode into a know slide area too..he was only 22 years old and just engaged to be married. I was on the response team but I didnt know who the victim was at first.