For the same price which one would you pick? S1 or 3+

I've read all the reviews on these 2 units .. the S1 is at a higher price point and fancier... I'm coming from an old analog beacon that I never even really used or practiced with...

I know not many people have had the chance to play with the 3+ .. but price point aside, if you had a choice between ortovox S1 and 3+, which one would you pick ?

In the review I read on the S1, it might have you pause while it "thinks" for a few seconds, which could last upto a minute. To me this sounds like a deal breaker almost... I would rather have a less fancy display and not have it give me the hourglass!

Then there's the "smart antenna" transmit feature of the 3+.. again, not sure how often or relevant this might be in real world situations, but sure sounds like something you'd want to have if you end up under

Thanks

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Originally Posted by sidewaysInto3rd

I've read all the reviews on these 2 units .. the S1 is at a higher price point and fancier... I'm coming from an old analog beacon that I never even really used or practiced with...

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Seems like 3+ or Tracker 2. No particular brand loyalty, own both Ortovox and BCA and happy with both, but even w/proform, you might want to choose on the basis of what's best for you over price consideration, since the difference will be pretty insignificant over the life of the thing...


Playing with the Tracker 2 recently, it's REALLY impressively dumbed down (despite what I know it's capable of). As in, hard to imagine anything simpler that's still useful. Not in any way implying a lack of skills on your part, but if I were forced to tour with someone w/no skills, it's what I'd want them using.

S1 does "more" than either, but there's no comparison in terms of the amount of time you'd need to spend to get proficient at that "more"...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sidewaysInto3rd

I've read all the reviews on these 2 units .. the S1 is at a higher price point and fancier... I'm coming from an old analog beacon that I never even really used or practiced with...

I know not many people have had the chance to play with the 3+ .. but price point aside, if you had a choice between ortovox S1 and 3+, which one would you pick ?

In the review I read on the S1, it might have you pause while it "thinks" for a few seconds, which could last upto a minute. To me this sounds like a deal breaker almost... I would rather have a less fancy display and not have it give me the hourglass!

Then there's the "smart antenna" transmit feature of the 3+.. again, not sure how often or relevant this might be in real world situations, but sure sounds like something you'd want to have if you end up under

Thanks

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I recently got to outdoor test the Ortovox 3+ transceiver (see my other posting about the 3+ and finding four transmitting transceivers) at ISSW. Previously, I'd only gotten to handle the 3+ indoors back in December. I have been using the Ortovox S1 since it first came out. BTW, I'm also a Ortovox tech rep too. :)

I love my S1 but the 3+ is very close on its heals. It is a tough choice, each one is so good. The S1 has better range then the 3+, but both work GREAT with their "flagging" function. The current standard of the industry is an all digital 3 antenna with the flagging function (the Tracker 2 does not have a true flagging function) transceiver.

I think that if your coming from an analog transceiver you will find the 3+ very simple and easy to use. The transmitter friendly technology is another advantage for the owner/user if you get buried. And the power management system and 40 meter range is great.

On a side note, no matter what transceiver you get PLEASE read the manual and do at least 20 practice search's.

maybe bad reasoning, but i voted 3+ because of the smaller size.

I have an S1. Easiest thing to use ever. First time I used it was fresh out of the box without having time to read manual. Had a dual-burial situation to solve. Found and flagged both burials in under a minute.

I'm about to buy a second (actually third) beacon. It will be used by my kids and friends who want to come bc with me, but don't own beacons. I'm tired of carrying my old blue and yellow ortovox f1 and giving friends my S1. I'm pretty good with the old beacon, but lack of practice with it means I get rustier every year. From all I've read on the 3+, it does nearly all of what the S1 does, for $140 less. I can round out the spare gear bag with a nice probe and shovel for $140. Or buy myself an avalung in case friends suck at digging.

But if price isn't an option, I think I'd go with the S1. In my current case the 3+ is in some ways better though, since it is likely to be used by people with relatively little practice. And its extra simple interface should fit that profile well.

Also sending my S1 in for a software update.

Thanks for the replies . I ended up getting a used S1 for quite a bit cheaper than a new 3+ .. will send it in to have it checked out and should hopefully never have to use it :)

Also bought an avalung and a spot messenger with the leftover cash too :)

I am a big fan of rugged simplicity...so I don't really know about the S1. As long as the chassis is well made, I guess. Some of my techie friends love the S1...others like the almost as complex Pulse. Me, I don't know. I think the grid diagramming screen on the S1 is a really cool feature, though. It would potentially allow you to get a more visual perspective on multiple signals (buried folk) and their proximity to each other. That in itself might be worth the bells and whistles. But the damn thing also has a digital thermometer. If it were me, I wouldn't I wouldn't waste much needed battery power on a frickin' theromometer...(I presume they not talking about some sort of hi-tech, swallowble internal organ thermometer [yes...they DO have those]). I mean, shit...for measuring ambient temps, a simple button thermometer works just as well, and doesn't require batteries...so why put a thermometer on the transponder unit? It's stuff like that that gets me...unneeded stuff. Ortovox is a good company and they don't price their equipment through the roof..unlike SOME companies. I think they would be good at making scientific equipment if they went that route. I've got one of their folding snow probes. I don't know shit about the other one.

Alaska Rover, you don't HAVE TO look at the thermometer on the S1 transceiver if you don't want to. And it uses only a minor fraction of battery power, so don't worry about the thermometer using up your battries...

Meanwhile, check out the recent review of the Ortovox 3+ transceiver on Beaconreviews.com. They gave the 3+ a five star rating.

http://www.beaconreviews.com/transce...tovox3plus.asp

Agreed with Hacksaw -- the S1 battery consumption is on a par with all over units, so any effect from the temp sensor is negligible.

Meanwhile, my 3+ demo unit just arrived now – will be put through the paces at this Sunday’s avalanche course, then I’ll report back as an addendum on the WildSnow review for any differences from my preproduction unit. (Impression so far is that the redesigned On-Off-BatteryCompartmentOpen switch is just fine. No cheat sheet on the housing for error code translation, so I suggest making you own and taping it to the back - unless you have a really good memory! Overall though, I strongly suspect that everything will check out great just like it did in the spring on the preproduction unit - the only issue left to check for is range.)

S1 for the win.

best bacon ever

Most of all, I love it when my partners use one. idiotproof is mo' better.
especially my wife. bitch never practices enough and S1 will work for her far better than all others.

I agree the S1 is the best beacon I have used. I got a chance to use the 3+ at ISSW and I liked its simplicty and flagging functionality. I currently own the following beacons for comparision
Barrovx Pulse
S1
F1 focus (about 20 of them)
DTS Tracker (I would like to try the Tracker II)

The S1 is hands down the best beacon I have used. I really like the multiple burial display.