Wife says "You're getting an ABS bag" - Which one to buy?

[Trenchmaster]

The snowpulse looks far better to me, its a little more expensive but your allready spending lots of money whats another 200 bucks.

I have the Escape 15 and I'm quite happy with it, but if I were to buy a new one I would go with the Snowpulse. Three of my riding buddys bought the Snowpulse and it seems to fit much closer to your back, and is more comfortable to wear. I like the idea of being able to recharge the canister with air, costs $100 Canadian for a new canister and trigger for the ABS bags. What ever bag you decide to get make sure it's ready to go whenever you are out riding in the hills. The last time we were out I noticed that one of the guys with the Snowpulse had the pull handle zipped up inside the shoulder strap when we were hillclimbing.

 

[drscotch]

I'm very happy with the Vario 30.

 

[Squirrelchaser]

I looked into both and there were two things that bothered me about the snowpulse. One is that it is charged by air. Air holdes moisture and when discharged freezes. Could this keep the bag from inflating? Not sure but don't want to find out. The other is that when the bag inflates the bottom of the horse shoe is between your arms and chest, inhibiting your ability to grab your bars on your sled. Another what if but if I can outrun the thing I'm gona try like hell, Alot easier to do if you can grab the bars. I ordered the 30L escape this morning from Snowbigdeal.

 

[AK737]

I have an ABS 30. You will be able to fit all of the supplies that you have listed in it. I diffinately would not want bigger. The vario and the freeride are I think are too small. They are basically just the ABS pack with no room to pack anything. That leaves the the 15L or the 30L.
If I were to buy another one I would get the 30L. Plenty of room to carry some "extras", but if you can also take just an empty pack and cinch up the straps and it become pretty small and lightweight.
Regardless, you will feel better wearing either one!! I won't ride without it!

 

[roughrider99]

really want to buy one but since i'm in college i'm low on funds and rents won;t help out they rather have me not go at all. hoping the bank will give me a loan

 

[BottomFeeder m7.]

Think you all can have your avy beacons and thats great and all. but whats the good if you are all burried? Having a Abs would maybe Keep you on top of the snow and when you come to a complate stop IF you are on top you can switch your beacon to Find Mode and dig out your pals. Hope that never has to happen. Just saying there is more to these bags then just having the feeling i can ride anywhere becuase you feel safe. you should keep the mind set that you are safe just because you have the bag.


Happy sledding. BF.

 

[Original Tetonice]

Save your money, make your wife happy and just stay OFF THE SLOPES......Believe it or not there is plenty of great riding without being on slopes that may or may not slide.

The ABS bag will inflate your EGO that may lead you to making poor choices on your next ride.


OT

 

[Insaneboltrounder/sjohns]

spoken like the idiot you are....

 

[Original Tetonice]

spoken like the idiot you are....

It's guys just like yourself that don't don't give a hoot as long as your EGO gets inflated ever time you ride.

The worst riders are those that don't no the differance between right and wrong when riding in the backcountry.

OT

 

[McLuvin]

It's guys just like yourself that don't don't give a hoot as long as your EGO gets inflated ever time you ride.

The worst riders are those that don't no the differance between right and wrong when riding in the backcountry.

OT

OT. If you don't like these back packs don't buy one! I feel that if you can take being burried out of the equation you'll be more likely to live to sled another day. In my opinion the guys I ride with take precautions like we weren't wearing one of these packs.

 

[BroT]

Save your money, make your wife happy and just stay OFF THE SLOPES......Believe it or not there is plenty of great riding without being on slopes that may or may not slide.

The ABS bag will inflate your EGO that may lead you to making poor choices on your next ride.


OT

While I agree with you...accidents still happen. You don't get to be in the back country...anywhere in the back country...without Mother Nature controlling the situation.

I am trained, I practice with my gear and am still going to get one. Just one more tool that will help me come back in the case of an accident.

 

[Trenchmaster]

Save your money, make your wife happy and just stay OFF THE SLOPES......Believe it or not there is plenty of great riding without being on slopes that may or may not slide.




OT

What a dumb thing to say!! most of us on here are mountain riders, the steeper the hill and the deeper the snow the better. Thats where I want to ride, and if an avalanche pack can keep me safer doing it , thats a good thing. I'm not going to change the way I ride or the places we go, my riding group has been doing this for 10 years, and never had any issues. But we are all getting avy packs as we can afford them.

 

[MTdream]

wish there was more discussion of the benefits of the two bags...

am trying to make the decision myself...

Here are my pluses for each...and where I am leaning...

ABS- clearly proven...concerned about the rip cord...do not want to have to think about it, and those who have even been aware of its issues have made mistakes...needs to be redesigned...IMHO

Snowpulse-new guy on the block...some concerns about the thinner material of the bag...but like the fact it wraps around the head to protect from trauma, and side benefit is that the shoulder straps (where teh pack is) act like a neck support from whiplash (cant get my dirt bike collar to fit while sledding..)and like the fact I can get cylinder recharged locally...last benefit (and maybe ABS does too) but the snowpulse comes in a long torso version...

I am leaning toward the snowpulse...

I have little concern about the oxygen release valve plugging with ice when discharged...but had not thought about the handlebars thing...might have to ask about that one...

 

[summitguy]

ABS Vario 22 is a nice size. Better shovel pouch in my opinion and I carry lots of gear. I prefer to have the shovel in a zipped pouch rather than strapped in. JMO.

As for having one or not - great insurance if you can afford it but the best prevention is always knowledge of the conditions and caution over thrills when the conditions are questionable. Take an avy course - huge eye opener for me and my group.

 

[MTdream]

just got off the phone with Chuck at SnowPulse, and here are his comments to the two questions someone posted...

Bag Material is lighter but is same material used in car airbags and is able to withstand a great deal of pressure and trauma to it. so should not be an issue...

Oxygen being used to fill the canister is dry compressed air, and condensation will not be an issue...the bag has been tested at VERY low temepratures with no issues...

 

[Bigrock33]

just got off the phone with Chuck at SnowPulse, and here are his comments to the two questions someone posted...

Bag Material is lighter but is same material used in car airbags and is able to withstand a great deal of pressure and trauma to it. so should not be an issue...

Oxygen being used to fill the canister is dry compressed air, and condensation will not be an issue...the bag has been tested at VERY low temepratures with no issues...

Did you by any chance asked him about a group buy?

 

[MTdream]

Did you by any chance asked him about a group buy?

no, I did not, I am doubtful they are too interested in something like that...chances are, they dont have enough to supply somehting like that...I think the Snowpulse gets sent from europe...

 

[BIGSKINS]

I like the size and feel of the 30L. I couldn't imagine ramming all my gear into anything smaller?


SnowbigDeal has great deals and A+ customer service!

I couldn't have said it any better!!



Big

 

[Ramjet15x]

SnowPulse

After a few years of procrastination I bought a snowpulse bag, I like the fact you only need a O-ring when refilling, no handles to buy, they use regular compressed air, which, if you have SCBA you can refill yourself, the added protection around your head and the basic pack design beat the ABS Vario pack IMO. It seems to me to be a slightly upgraded version of the ABS design???