Why do beacons cost so much.

[Red-eye]

I don't think anyone can tell all the areas where avys are, I have seen them occur on the side of a road. I carry my beacon for my friends. They told me I had to have the best because it would save their lives not mine.

 

[Wade]

I ride with cheapskates. If beacons were cheaper we would all have one. If beacons were cheaper I would have 2 or 3 extra's for friends. Because they are so expensive one group I ride with is completely without beacons. Is that a risk? Maybe, but that same group is also aware enough to avoid avalanche terrain.

I hate reading the posts where people talk about how everyone needs a beacon because the backcountry is so dangerous right now. If its so dangerous do the idiot-proof avalanche prevention and just stay out of that terrain until it gets better.

If they can make computers 1/4 of the cost they were 3 years ago why can't they make beacons that cost less than years ago?

Chris.

You might be surprised that no one makes desktop computers in this country any more, that I know of. Some assembly houses, but motherboards, support chips, cases, powersupplies, even the plastic pieces, are all made over seas. We still make some memory chips, and some processor chips here.

Everyone's loosing their azz making computers right now. Micron lost 700 million dollar last quarter.

 

[Aug]

If dealers where really worried about people dieing in an avalanche the would sell them just above their cost.

With me I could buy a beacon or go ridding. That's not a choice I will alway go ridding. If dealers really cared about their customers they would sell them cheap, dead people don't buy new sleds.

 

[modsledr]

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'll play devils advocate here: Since you sound like an idiot, does that mean you're only worth $10/hr? I would be willing to bet you make much more than that...but are you worth it???

Bottom line, if you can afford the sport, you can afford a $300 beacon. If not, go find another sport, we dont want any more statistics in this one.

Rant over.

 

[bluebear]

Why can't they make the beacons overseas to save on costs?

Also, I think most beacons are sold under UMRP so prices are set by manufacturers.

 

[Mountaintech]

Why can't they make the beacons overseas to save on costs?

Also, I think most beacons are sold under UMRP so prices are set by manufacturers.

I'm glad they're not made there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At least some things are still made here. Jobs for here that sustain our economy. Maybe you should go and buy a Chinese snowmobile !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chrispy1202]

Beacons are cheap when you look at the cost of all of the other crap we buy for our sleds. But unless you take the time to get some hands on training with using them they aren't going to save your a$$. Same goes for that extra beacon and probe you lend to someone that doesn't have their own avy gear. Giving it to a friend that doesn't know how to use is false insurance. Knowing conditions are crappy should help you decide where and where not to ride. That video " a dozen more turns" is something everyone should watch to put things back into perspective.
Cheers
Chris.

 

[Red-eye]

Ask your love ones if the cost of a beacon is too much when your caught in an AVY and they don't know if your going to be found alive or dead.

 

[cobbycat]

If dealers where really worried about people dieing in an avalanche the would sell them just above their cost.

With me I could buy a beacon or go ridding. That's not a choice I will alway go ridding. If dealers really cared about their customers they would sell them cheap, dead people don't buy new sleds.

hey stupid!!! buy a beacon so I don't have to tell your mother that I couldn't find you!!

the dealer does not care
the manufacturer does not care
the sled does not care
the mountain does not care
the snow does not care

your mother does care!!!


it's uneducated people like you that are the problem so take matters into your own hands

 

[cobbycat]

This has been a pretty good thread until people like you come on here and shoot your mouth off. You have no idea who I am or what I'm like. I can tell by your post your intelligence level.

you are correct, we don't know you. and the people "shooting their mouth off" on this thread don't know you but they care enough about you that they don't want to dig you out of a snowy grave. with that said, I don't care that I don't know you. I do care that IF you do get caught, even if it is someone else that triggered it, I will not be able to find quickly if you don't have a beacon on. nor will you be any help if someone else is burried like the 27 people that had to sit on the sidelines on sunday at owlshead. must be a very ****ty feeling to konw you can't help save a life because you were too cheap to buy a f#*&ing beacon.

the training is usless without the equipment
the equipment is usless without the training

so who has the low intelligence level?

 

[steveo_supremo]

you are correct, we don't know you. and the people "shooting their mouth off" on this thread don't know you but they care enough about you that they don't want to dig you out of a snowy grave. with that said, I don't care that I don't know you. I do care that IF you do get caught, even if it is someone else that triggered it, I will not be able to find quickly if you don't have a beacon on. nor will you be any help if someone else is burried like the 27 people that had to sit on the sidelines on sunday at owlshead. must be a very ****ty feeling to konw you can't help save a life because you were too cheap to buy a f#*&ing beacon.

the training is usless without the equipment
the equipment is usless without the training

so who has the low intelligence level?

Very well said.

 

[cobbycat]

Before YOU now pass judgement, YOU need to go back and reread this thread. I have my beacon, I have my avy training. Our group practice with our beacons to stay sharp. This thread is not about me or you so don't make it personal.
If you are using "you" to discribe others that's fine but don't refer to me unless you know what your talking about.
Maybe read before you start typing.

sorry if I am a little steamed. sunday was a shock that I am still not over yet! and I wasn't referring directly to "you" either. I am not trying to pass judgment either, what I am trying to say is this: it should not matter how much a beacon costs, you(all mountain sledding brothers) NEED one. and we(is that better?) all NEED to know how to use them. end of story.

 

[NoSecondChances]

If you are using "you" to discribe others that's fine but don't refer to me unless you know what your talking about.

I was referring to "you" as any third parties who are too cheap to buy a beacon and reading this thread, not necessarily "You" in the first person. My apologies if you feel that I was directing that at you personally.

You've brought a good discussion to the table. I'm giving you good rep for that.

That being said, I sure as heck hope that no one takes the concept to a foreign manufacturing facility. I love the comment about the Chinese snowmobile. If you want to buy a pocket bike/off brand chinese made motorcycle, expect that it will last about 1 month.

Just like cheap computers and most other off brand manufactured commodities, those items are seen as "disposable". Having been a race driver for oval racing, you learn that safety is not cheap. Having seen the differences between quality work and poor craftsmanship and the differences they make in actual 100 mph car crashes straight into the backstretch wall, I would never buy a "bargain brand" cage for any of my race cars, nor would I buy an off brand 5 point harness to hold my butt in the seat. Sorry, but when it comes to something like safety equipment, cheap manufacturing is not the way to go, no matter what continent. I do not want some $5/hr flunkie (anywhere) assembling my safety equipment only to have it stop working or fail at the time when I need it most.

Beacons are abused by all backcountry users just on body movement alone. Cheap production means things like cheap soldering on the connections, cheap components and cheap labour assembling them. This is fine for an Xbox that sits on your TV stand, you can go to the store and buy a new one no harm no foul. But not something that is going to be slammed into your chest and bounced around all day.

You get what you pay for. You can buy one good beacon and it will last 5 yrs before you should upgrade to new technology ($500), or you can buy 2 disposable ones a year (2 x $50 X 5 yrs) = $500. Same price but which one do you think will give your riding buddies more comfort that you have it? The quality one worth the money or the cheap one made by a company who cut lots of corners just to keep the cost down?

The good ones have technology that last for years. Make no mistake about it, you will be buying a new "el cheapo" one every year becuz they will only use the existing technology and not make it compatible with any other system or from year to year. All your riding buddies will have to get the same cheapo brand as well. On top of this, if it breaks you will not send it back for repair because the shipping costs will be worth more than the beacon itself, so you will just buy a new one. At least 2/yr is not realistic and probably conservative.

We each make our own choices. Ride safe everyone.