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Quote:
Originally Posted by adrenalated
Isn't "optimal" subjective? What if the person is on a hill, or on a flat, or in a terrain trap (gully) or steep creek trap, wouldn't that change the 'optimal' antenna to use?
I suggest, if 3 antenna, there should be a protocol that allows devices to transmit on each antenna in 3 separate transmissions, basically allowing the receiver to pick up on whatever transmissions it receives. They probably do this already for all I know.
Glad I kept my 2 antenna Tracker DSP. That switch can't turn, even with gloves off, and the battery door screws shut.
And it has the easiest interface going.
i have the green ortavox 3+ i dont like the open the beacon to recieve and if it closes you lose your flagsQuote:
Originally Posted by adrenalated
the inclinometer was pretty spot on though
i had a warrunty for sumthing and i never sent it in.
The S1+ also has the "optimal antenna" transmit feature, and has great search range (very sensitive, so you absolutely have to turn off your cell phone when in search mode). It's surprising the 3+ is a step backward. The flip-open design is a like-it or hate-it thing. Some German study years ago using school students found that the S1/S1+ user interface was the most effective for people who were given no instruction in using a beacon. They just turned it on and found targets faster than using other beacons. That doesn't really mean anything for experienced users, but an intuitive interface is a good thing.Quote:
Originally Posted by adrenalated
RE: Range Attachment 343931
IMHO 11 yards/33 feet +- difference is not abysmal. You adapt your search method to your chosen beacon, simple as that.Quote:
Avoid the tunnel-vision trap of believing that transceiver range is the only important criteria—it isn't. Range is certainly important, but the difference might not be significant if you fumble with the controls, if the display is confusing, if the fine search positions you over a spike, or if you can't identify and locate multiple burials. Using an appropriate search strip width is far more important that having a transceiver with a long range. As explained on the discussion on performing a signal search using a transceiver, it is much better to spend a few extra minutes searching a narrower search strip during the signal search than to end up at the bottom of the avalanche and have to repeat the entire search.
I had multiple S1's (first reprogrammed and them replaced by Ortovox) that would crash like they were running Windows 95. I'd MUCH rather run a DSP and double check the button every time out than use an S1. Or a Tracker, or a Tracker 2, and possibly a Tracker 3 or 3+.
Pieps/BD deserves criticism for sure. They need to do more to make this right. But do I trust Pieps/BD any less than BCA (who still hasn't released a Beacon as good as the original DSP which was released in 2003) or Ortovox? No.
^ Wow, had two S1 and still have an S1+ for a loaner, none of them ever crashed. Didn't use the S1 units a whole lot though, so you probably had a lot more hours on yours.
Whoa, I should inspect my safety gear?
I'm thinking of coming out with a bomb proof beacon that is over engineered to handle anything you throw at it. I'm thinking MSRP will be around $2k. Who's in?
I always felt the S-1 was a design that was predicated on, "yeah we can make it do that too" rather than " it finds and is found by other beacons simply and reliably".
Sample of one, but I thought the S1 was abysmal. One and only beacon I bought then sold after one "use"/first practice. Way too complicated and whatever version I had was crazy slow in updating.
Second worse was the Tracker2 and the ease of accidentally bumping the switch back to transmit while searching.
The latest generation of Pieps/BD beacons uses a different switch design (even though upon a first glance it looks like the older design).Quote:
Originally Posted by ::: :::
But the older DSP Sport continues to be sold new alongside the latest generation of Pieps/BD beacons.
seems like a lot of confusion about the different generations of DSP
apples and oranges and bananas
maybe folks should make sure they know what they’re talking about
https://beaconreviews.com
Whoops, sorry, I'll take some of the blame for that.Quote:
Originally Posted by ~mikey b
I can get a photo credit added if you want.
That photo was really important in researching what was going on for the purposes of drafting that page -- really appreciate that (i.e., as opposed to the all-too-typical social media complaints w/o documentation).
Yep, it looks the same, but seems to be immune from the failures of the DSP Sport & DSP Pro.Quote:
Originally Posted by doebedoe
With the caveat that anything can break, that just seems impossible for any kind of normal use with the new switch design?Quote:
Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds!
photo credit is not necessary but never hurts
Quote:
Originally Posted by adrenalated
The Ortovox features uses a gyroscope to avoid transmitting on an antenna that is oriented vertically.Quote:
Originally Posted by puregravity
However, aside from that, if the beacon housing is in line with the horizontal plane, then that feature doesn't help at all, because the beacon has no way of knowing which of the two main antenna's is most closely in line with the searcher(s).
By contrast, twitching back-and-forth between the two main antennas (the third isn't powerful enough to transmit, except perhaps on the flip-out Arva model), or transmitting simultaneously on both antennas, would be a ghosting nightmare that would make searching for an old light-blue F1 look like a breeze.
I definitely saw that happen while teaching courses. But BCA did issue a recall to stiffen up that switch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Soups
I'm still using an Ortovox S1 (not the +). Haven't had any weird behavior or glitches, seems to work properly in tests and practice searches.
Is this one now too old to safely use?
I'd be fine touring with someone using an original S1, it probably comes down to someone's personal experience with them.
I wouldn't be too keen on partners having old Trackers though.
Ortovox usually does a beacon trade in program this time of year....
Fuck no. I've been through 4 of the s. The last one is actually working like it should, but and it will switch to transmission.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Chupacabra
No. Can I say that louder?
No. I don't care if you are good with firmware upgrades.
Marcus used to be on speed dial.
...
fuck it
A few seasons ago I was still rocking a Tracker DTS. It was working great, during practice I was hitting signals from further distances than people with fancy new beacons. But I got a lot of shit from friends so I bought a new beacon.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1000-oaks
Well... I bought a Pieps DSP Sport....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It'll switch to transmission during a search?Quote:
Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark
Be sure to listen to all his commentary at the end after the demonstration, since he adds that he had another DSP beacon -- with the same switch design -- which did not display this behavior:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGnq_GFjoeD/
Yes. If I'm immobile for a set period of time. I think it is 120 seconds.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1000-oaks
^ Exactly. The S1 can be set to revert to transmit as quickly as 30 seconds without motion, even if still flipped open in "receive" mode. Nice feature actually, in case user is caught by a secondary and doesn't have a chance to flip it closed.
Paging Jonathon S and anyone else with experience with Barryvox... So what are peoples thoughts on the normal Barryvox for the Barryvox S? I tour 2-3 times a week, so more than an occasional user but certainly not guiding or patrolling etc. Are the extra features of the S worthwhile for the somewhat serious "recreational" user?
Have you seen this run-down by Mammut?Quote:
Originally Posted by wilcox510
http://www.mammutavalanchesafety.com...vox-s-and.html
I’m a KISS guy, went with the ‘normal’ Bvox. No ragrets.
I had not seen that, thanks!
I’m trying both this season
If you're the kind of person who in general is into additional gee whiz super techie features, and if your opportunity cost of the price differential is trivial, then the S is worthwhile.
Otherwise, the baseline version is still a highly capable model.
Samesies - picked up a plain jane barryvox for this season and have zero complaints. Simple is usually better...Quote:
Originally Posted by Meadow Skipper
Thanks for the feedback, I think I'll stick with the basic one.
Anyone have a strong opinion on the pieps powder bt vs. the pieps micro bt button?
Replacing my tracker dts and the the prospect of a smaller transceiver has me curious. Usually carry in a beacon pocket vs. harness.
Just had to make a similar decision, as my wife’s Pieps is being replaced by Black Diamond. The annoying automatic functions on the Micro were a dealbreaker, so went with the standard unit.Quote:
Originally Posted by river59
Are you talking about the proximity sensor version of the micro? I wasn't aware that the button version had automatic functions, other than auto revert.
I’m intrigued by the micro also, but wonder about how effective the auto-revert is & whether it is not useful when it’s dark out (light sensor trigger for send)
Or is any of that even an issue?
Any current users that can comment?
Good point about darkness. I have seen a few reports of the micro switching to search while sealed in a beacon pocket or bib pocket. No reports that I have read saying it switched while in the bag they supply for pocket carry.
Any micro users out there?
One thing to keep in the back of your heads is that if you need to use your beacon IRL you are going to be stressed beyond words.
Do you really want something that is difficult to manipulate in such a scenario?
Very good point. Given that I have spent the last 10 years with trackers, I am used to the press button mode switching, but I always worried about inadvertently switching with it in my pocket. Never happened with probably 300+ carries, but the worry was still there.
The security of double sliders to switch modes seems pretty foolproof, with one glaring exception.