Why do beacons cost so much.

[Hemi]

Because they are WORTH it.

It has been posted many times, why is .25 cents worth of plastic and electronic to the manufacturer worth $250. to $499. to us the end consumer.

The answer I always get is "it's classified as recreational" Well change it's classification to "safety equipment" and sell it for $49.99

Rant over.

 

[Boondock]

Are you for real??

 

[24drnkz]

Because they can

And it's "Worth it"

 

[rotax3006]

Ever been burried? Id have paid $1000 to get out quicker.

 

[yardsale_oem]

capitalizing on needs

 

[sbojan]

I bet greater then 2/3 of the sale price of a beacon goes to insurance. Imagine the liability these manufacturers have.

 

[Tackbtch]

I bet greater then 2/3 of the sale price of a beacon goes to insurance. Imagine the liability these manufacturers have.

What liability do they have???Just because you have a beacon dont mean you will live thru an avy. Dino

 

[pancake]

Supply and demand. A transeiver can work for 30 years so its not like someone is buying a new one every year or so. Also new technology doesn't come cheap.

 

[XC700116]

What liability do they have???Just because you have a beacon dont mean you will live thru an avy. Dino

Because if someone is buried with one on and it doesn't work they can be sued. It's not right but it is the truth.

Just like if I let someone walk on my property and they slip on the ice and fall down I can be sued. It's not right but is the truth.

Because we live in a time that personal responability for your own actions is a dieing concept.

 

[XC700116]

If you ride the back country it is just one of the things that comes along with it. Like a helmet, or boots, or just about any aftermarket accessory.

Do you really think that there's any more time and development dollars in a fuel controller box than an avy beacon? yet look at the cost difference.

I've got more money into my helmet, or my jacket, or my pants, or fuel, than I do in a good beacon. It's just another must have piece of equipment.

I just finally broke down and bought an ABS pack too. I just have been getting more and more of a creepy feeling with all the avy's this year.

 

[yardsale_oem]

What liability do they have???Just because you have a beacon dont mean you will live thru an avy. Dino

i think their liability is only concerned with whether or not their equipment works!

 

[Farmer]

Supply and demand. A transeiver can work for 30 years so its not like someone is buying a new one every year or so. Also new technology doesn't come cheap.

X2, I couldn't agree more. If some of you guys can build a top of the line beacon and sell it for $49.95 go for it.

 

[RMKcowboy]

$300 for a beacon isn't bad really, it's just how you look at it. It's an investment for sure, but all good things are.

 

[summitboy]

I think we can almost say the same for ABS bags no ? Everyone should have one in the back country. Its pretty bad out there !

 

[sleddin pete]

My life is very much worth the cost of my BCA Tracker beacon,shovel and probe pole.

How much do you have invested in your sled,truck and trailer,is $ 400 more for a beacon shovel and probe really going to break the bank

If not for yourself do it for the ones you love.

 

[mtnpull]

It is a great investment, and very much worth it. Not really terribly expensive. I have two in case I ride with someone who doesn't have one.

There are a lot of factors that go into the pricing of anything. I do not expect to understand it as it varies from product to product. I do think that if they could reasonably sell it for cheaper, then they would. Cheaper prices = more sales = more profit. It is the whole wal mart strategy. You make less per item, but more overall due to higher sales.

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

problem with wally world strategy, its a small market, so it doesnt work,

as far as cost, i could say my life is worth $300 easy, and so are that of my buddies i ride with.

yeah the materials arent that much, but you pay for a piece of mind knowing its developed and should work really well and never fail, thats a huge cost, making sure it WONT fail, insurance in this day and age is a huge deal, and just manufacturing costs for low volume are a lot!!

 

[Zachcreek]

Because they are WORTH it.

It has been posted many times, why is .25 cents worth of plastic and electronic to the manufacturer worth $250. to $499. to us the end consumer.

The answer I always get is "it's classified as recreational" Well change it's classification to "safety equipment" and sell it for $49.99

Rant over.

I don't consider beacons and probes to be safety equipment, rather survival gear. Either for yourself or others. They are only used after the stuff comes down. They wont keep you safe, only education and the ball on your shoulders will do that.

R&D, field testing mfg. etc. Beacons are not like other mattel electronics. They have to work and be bullit proof. Thats why you don't find them at Radio Shack.

 

[mtnpull]

problem with wally world strategy, its a small market, so it doesnt work,

as far as cost, i could say my life is worth $300 easy, and so are that of my buddies i ride with.

yeah the materials arent that much, but you pay for a piece of mind knowing its developed and should work really well and never fail, thats a huge cost, making sure it WONT fail, insurance in this day and age is a huge deal, and just manufacturing costs for low volume are a lot!!

You mentioning that the wally world strategy doesn't work is exactly my point. Just using the wal mart idea to verify they would sell for cheaper if they could. I think we are both on the same page.

 

[mac900rmk]

I think products like these are started by people that are interested in saving lives rather than making a profit. Do beacons have to be approved by CSA or the US equivalent? If you had the choice between a $50 beacon and a $300 beacon which one would you trust your life with? The market is pretty small as it is and there still people in the backcountry that don't believe they need one which makes the segment even smaller. You don't see any cool beacon commercials like you do for ipods and macs.