Which Airbag system?? (Avy Footage)

[TGitt]

First of all, I know this should be in the Avalanche section, but there are a lot more people that hang out here. After another close call this weekend, I think it's time to invest in an Airbag System. Right now I'm looking at the ABS Escape 15L, or the BCA Float 30. I don't want a huge bulky backpack, but I do need to pack my shovel, probe, my SLR camera with a spare lens and a few drinks since I ride a Pro with zero storage.. Which pack does everyone like better? And who has the best prices? Like I said those were the two I'm looking at, but I'm open to other brands like the Snow Pulse. Thanks in advance!

Tanner

I almost forgot, here is the footage of my close call yesterday (Monday Feb, 20). Theres a little bad language, and I'm the one with the Helmet cam..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0EpUpSSgLM&feature=g-upl&context=G22373e5AUAAAAAAAAAA

 

[FatDogX]

I've got the Float 30 as well as four other guys in our riding group. From what you mentioned that you would be carrying, the Float 30 would probably work well. Plenty of storage and comfortable with a tekvest.

One of the guys in our group has the Float 18 but it's quite a bit smaller and you have very limited storage.

 

[RidewithChrisBrown]

I guide with the Snowpulse guide30...plenty of space for a dslr and more plus it has the best head/neck protection.

 

[TGitt]

I guide with the Snowpulse guide30...plenty of space for a dslr and more plus it has the best head/neck protection.

Thanks I'll check that one out.

 

[SledsWest]

I'd look at either a Snowpulse or a ABS Vario. Call the guys at www.SnowBigDeal.com and tell them what you're looking for and they can get you hooked up.

 

[milehighassassin]

I love my new Avi-Vest. Snowbigdeal.com has them. I had a Float 30, and it was a good pack but a little to bulky for me. Love the vest.

 

[Norona]

I would hit up a shop and try them all on, each pack has its merits forsure! But if is not comfortable you won't wear it. An advantage with ABS is that you buy the base unit and then you can buy different packs that zip into the bse unit so you can have a 5 liter, 15 l, 18l, 25 l and 40 l, for whatever your doing. It also has the largest volume with 2 air bags in case one pops due to getting pushed into something. Airbags are designed to be tough and are very resilient however no air bag on any pack will protect you from hitting a tree at mach chicken, sorry it aint happening...they are designed to keep you afloat.

Personally I would look at all the sums of the pack, how it inflates, what it uses to inflate, how easy it is to reload on the mountain, how expensive having a second canister is because if your on a multiday trip and shops are closed you want to be able to throw a cannister in so your not without, you can have one between a few friends...and of all these things pick your bag, snow big deal has done an excellent job with vids on weight etc.

 

[SnowBigDeal]

If you don't want a big bulky pack, then I would shy away from the Escape 30. The float 30 isn't quite as bulky, but is still a pretty big pack. You may want to look into the Snowpulse Highmark 22L pack or the ABS Vario 15 or Vario 25 pack.

Both are great packs with ample storage, but not as bulky as the two you mentioned. Fee free to give us a call and we can tell you the pro's & con's of each pack.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

I have an abs 15...and one of the main reasons why is I still think they have the most reliable bag on snow...I wear a avy pack as a last resort in case my training and common sense dont keem me out of a bad situation.. and I just feel ABS has the most reliable bag/trigger out there...

 

[juiced4ever]

X2 on the snowpulse guide 30. Great pack. Plenty of storage
And is much more functional than the BCA. Two in my riding group
Have the BCA and are not too stoked with the layout for storage.

 

[Timbre]

The coolest thing about the BCA brand of avypacks (Float 18 and Float 30) is that they use compressed AIR not nitrogen to re-charge the cylinder. The dive shop down the road does it for $3.00. Pretty important feature, if you ask me

Cheers!

 

[plumnuts]

saw you on CNN this morning...

 

[JedInUtah]

I love my new Avi-Vest. Snowbigdeal.com has them. I had a Float 30, and it was a good pack but a little to bulky for me. Love the vest.

Tanner- I was going to say the same thing. I don't like bulk either and have ridden with a few of the Alpine Assasins crew that use the Avi-Vest. I really like them alot. If I were to buy a pack right now, hopefully for next season it would be the avi-vest. Low profile, distributes the weight evenly on your body.

You really have to try one on with the shovel and everything loaded up. Super comfortable and also uses compressed air for recharge.

 

[modsledr]

If nobody else is going to say it, I will...

You guys need some avy awareness education!! Avy conditions are off the hook EVERYWHERE and you guys are putting 2 riders on an open slope in HIGH AVY conditions.

Hope we dont read about you in the news.

Sorry to be a downer, but by your own admission, you have had multiple close calls. Get some education before you become a statistic!!

Avy conditions around Logan have been HIGH for a while...no excuse for riding in that terrain considering the current conditions.

 

[Tuesday]

ABS, but the pack is heavy.

 

[Blk88GT]

I've got the Float 18, you'll want more room. Be careful out there, that hill had avalanche all over it!

 

[wasatchcomm]

i love my avy vest

tons of storage, very low profile and comfortable.

i vote avy vest.
compressed air, easy to have filled.

i know a dealer close to you in ogden
pm me for details!!

 

[frock]

I use the 30 litre Snowpulse with a Tekvest underneath. I find it very comfortable and as stated earlier in here, it is much, much cheaper to get your canister refilled. I'm very fortunate because I work where I have access to a breathing air compressor capable of up to 5000 psi so I refill my own.

 

[suitcase]

I think It all depends on your needs. It you want a pack that is not bulky go with a pack like the Free ride pack (ABS), or if you need more storage go with a bigger volume pack. All brands have the diffrent sizes. If you just want the saftey feature of it all I would go with the Vest. IMO all brands are compairable, and will do the job you by them for. They all have there pluse and minuses. One thing is for sure get something that you will put on and wear day after day, because no matter what brand you chose if you don't have it on, it can't help you.

 

[wjl]

I have the ABS Vario in the 18L ultra lite and a 30L.
If you can wait till the snow show in fall or drive down to SnowBig Deal and try some on that would be the best. Not everyone is the same.
JMO