Should I Buy a Pulse?

Yea I know, "go to the store try em out, I'm not your mother...", but the real question is whether or not to spend the extra change on the Mammut Pulse.

I see the beacon purchase as a fairly long term one, so should I buy this new next generation or go with what seems to be norm now, a three antenna digital beacon? Many of Pulses' features are useless without being used with another Pulse, but do you think this technology will catch on and make it more useful in the future?

Right now its a toss up between the Pulse or a "regular" digital 3 antenna beacon (D3 or Tracker). I'm not against shelling out for something quality (hope the lady friend enjoys the macoroni necklace for christmas when I see her again) and certainly not against practicing, but do you think the Pulse justifies the extra $70 dollars (found some good deals)?

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Originally Posted by dirtybryan

Many of Pulses' features are useless without being used with another Pulse, but do you think this technology will catch on and make it more useful in the future?

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That's a common misconception (for which publicity from Barryvox / Mammut / Climb High can take much of the blame), since only one relatively trivial aspect of the Pulse's many new features/approaches depend on the Pulse beacons being used together.
Whether all those new features/approaches make for a "better" beacon (and whether they're worth extra $$) depends on individual preferences.
Anyway, I just finished totally reconfiguring my beacon comparison chart, based on testing all digital beacons currently on the market (except for ARVA & S1, although then again those really aren't currently on the U.S. market), but I don't think it will look good now posted as a jpg, so if anyone is interested, just send an email message to jshefftz at my google mail account and use the "beacon chart" subject header.

FYI Tracker is a 2 antenna beacon

AFAIK I think the only pulse features that require another pulse are
1. Vital Sign detection
2. Notifying other beacons of whom you are locked on to

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Originally Posted by Summit

AFAIK I think the only pulse features that require another pulse are
1. Vital Sign detection
2. Notifying other beacons of whom you are locked on to

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Correct, but note that although #2 was previously anticipated, it is not a current feature (though might be incorporated into a future software update).

They should standardize a beacon networking frequency and data protocol

My bad, came out sort of wrong I guess, since that sounds right now that you say it. Anyways, in my position....

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Originally Posted by Summit

They should standardize a beacon networking frequency and data protocol

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Yup. If you are buying a pulse, you are betting that the pulse protocol will become standard, or you know your touring partners will have pulses. Otherwise that extra $$ isn't very useful.

I don't necessarily see that as a good bet.

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Originally Posted by cj001f

Yup. If you are buying a pulse, you are betting that the pulse protocol will become standard, or you know your touring partners will have pulses. Otherwise that extra $$ isn't very useful.

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But the transmission of "vitals" data between a buried Pulse and a searching Pulse (or perhaps in the future the tranmission of "masking" data between searching Pulses) is a only a very, very small part of all the new features in the Pulse. I'm not saying that these features will appeal to all beacon users, or even make them more proficient searchers, but the Pulse is a technlogical marvel even if your Pulse beacon is the only one around.

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Originally Posted by Jonathan S.

But the transmission of "vitals" data between a buried Pulse and a searching Pulse (or perhaps in the future the tranmission of "masking" data between searching Pulses) is a only a very, very small part of all the new features in the Pulse. I'm not saying that these features will appeal to all beacon users, or even make them more proficient searchers, but the Pulse is a technlogical marvel even if your Pulse beacon is the only one around.

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It would be interesting to know just how much the vitals xmission feature adds to the price of the product. Also, how much faster is the pulse than, say, a Barryvox 3000 or a Tracker?

To the OP - are you an early adopter or do you like to wait and let things settle a bit with new technology?

I'm typically an early adopter, but really its a question of do those in the know think the technology will become popular (inter-beacon communication) and if this technology (especially the ones not requiring other pulses) justify the price.
Basically, if you were in my shoes and experienced with them (needing to buy a beacon would like to save money, but would spend the extra on something that justifies it) would you purchase the pulse. The pulse will cost me about $70 dollars more then other beacons all things considered in my poisition.

Ive tested and used the Pulse to some extent. I think that there are both positives and negatives as with each beacon, but the only reason I would be jumping and buying one right away is just cause it hasnt been out long enough. I would like it to get at least one season on the market and then see what happens. To me it was a great beacon with very good multi search capabilities, but on the flip it is a tad slow (processor wise) and at the same time has issues with being beside metal and other electronics.

To all those who posted, good info however alot of it seemed a little double edged, so to boil it down would you, in my position, purchase it?

Dude -- do you really want to reduce this entire discussion to a yes or no answer?

Ok, then.

Yes.

Or no.

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Originally Posted by dirtybryan

alot of it seemed a little double edged

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That's unfortunately just the way it is -- I've been testing all the multi-antenna/directional beacons currently on the market (i.e., DSP, DTS, Opto 3000, Pulse, X1, D3) and they all have their advantages . . . as well as attributes that could confound some users. And the very features that are advantages to some users will confound other users.
I don't think the price differential between all of these beacons currently on the U.S. market is worth worrying about. (Once the $600 S1 finally appears, that will be a different story.) Any of these beacons will work fine for any user who takes the time to learn how to take full advantage of its design and features. (This is in contrast to the recent Backcountry mag review that seems to have been based only on initial impressions.) But it also makes sense to try them out before buying, or at least research all the different features carefully, then think about what type of user you are and what attributes appeal to you.

$600 for an S1? waste of money. Buy a Barrivox for $300 now or wait for at least one season for the Pulse. As someone said, better wait to be certain it has no glitches. Although Barrivox had a recall some time ago.

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Originally Posted by Tony

Buy a Barrivox for $300 now or wait for at least one season for the Pulse. As someone said, better wait to be certain it has no glitches. Although Barrivox had a recall some time ago.

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The previous Barryvox recall was for a plastic housing issue on one specific production run of a beacon model that had already been in production for several years, so I don't see how the recall affects the decision to buy the Pulse in its first year.
Furthermore, the Pulse software is upgradable (ditto for DSP & S1), so any glitches that are corrected in the future can also be corrected on any Pulse beacon purchased now.

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Originally Posted by Jonathan S.

Furthermore, the Pulse software is upgradable (ditto for DSP & S1)

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So is Microsoft Windows XP. So what? It's still an inferior product to Mac. My point is being "upgradeable" is not a decisive feature when deciding to purchase a beacon as ease of use and reliability.

Don't get wrong. I love my Barryvox and if I had to purchase a new beacon I would probably buy it again. What I was trying to convey in my first post, is that even a company with a proved product can fuck it up in a certain batch of a certain series of a certain model in a certain year EVEN after several years in the market.

So bottom-line, directed to the OP who wanted to give closure to the decision by a definitive yes or no, buying a beacon is more like an educated guess, I guess....

What I meant to convey was:

1. Re software upgrade, if Barryvox adds new functionality and/or improves existing features in next year's beacon, current Pulse owners need not feel buyer's remorse, as their beacon software can be upgraded. (The same is true of those who bought the first generation of the DSP, whose masking function was significantly improved for the second software release, and apparently has been improved even more for the third generation that just came out, although I'll be able to judge that better when my DSP is returned to me.)

2. Re the housing problem on the Opto 3000, those who did buy affected units immediately received brand-new ones with improved plastic, so they were taken care of too.

So overall, if a potential owner likes the Pulse, I don't think waiting until next year is necessary just because it's now in its first season.

Jonathan,

I agree with you. Mammut is a good comany and will back its product by exchanging, upgrading, etc. But the thing is great companies with innovative products sometimes fuck up. And the S1 is sort of an innovative product.

Companies like Black Diamond and their first-year-on-market product glitches (defective bindings, carabiners, crampons, ALL LIFE SAVING PRODUCTS) are legendary in the industry. Irregardless of their excellent products and top notch customer service.

Maybe this is just how I feel, but for a ski, boots or poles I can't care less if I am buying the newest model just launched.

But for life threatening/saving gear like bindings, beacon or helmet, I am chicken and like to buy a field-proved product with more than one year in the market. Specially if its going to cost me $600!!!

Or to speak in marketing wabble, I'm a "late adopter".

Early adopter here.
I needed to upgrade beacons for my son and I, and felt the Pulses had the features I wanted so we own 2 of them. I also got them for just a little more $ than the Trackers.

Somebody has to try these new products :cool:

Early Adopter? You are fucking loser, WTF is your point? You want to pay money to test a lifesaving object? I say fuck no.

You want a shiny totemic object, I'll give you my ex's dildo.

Get a fucking clue, for private parties, the difference between the newest generation and the previous generation of beacons ain't fuckall, except for dickswinging at patrol meetings and on bulletainboards

Huh, I thought the topic of this thread is the new pulse beacon and if people shy away from new products until proven, and if anyone actually bought one.

Jonathan, thanks for your research.

And cj, obviously you thought this a bad choice on my part, upgrading from a pieps 457 that I've used for many years was not easy so I did try all the newer beacons and just happened to like this one best.

Basically, what I'm asking is, would you? I'm aware there are pros and cons, but in my shoes, "would you?" is what it boils down to. Do the pros outweigh the cons in your opinion and if you were spending the money (given money is a little bit tight and if saved would be bonus, but second to a quality beacon). This thread is full of alot of good information, some I wasn't clear on. But really just has me more split then I was before.

*mtcham, good on you, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt you didn't put safety second to shiny factor.

Well, all I can say about this is: we the chicken late adopters need the early adopters for their willingness to spend the money upfront and "test" the product. Being for totemic adoration or flashing among friends were are dependent of this group.

However, $1200 on 2 beacons? No way for me. I can't get S1s with a Tracker price. But if other people can and then willing to post a nice review here, my kudos to them.

And Dirtybrian, I think my answer should be clear by now: NO, I wouldn't, specially at retail price. You can buy and additional Barryvox for your girlfriend with $600!

What would I do? *looks down at his SOS F1ND* good nuff for now!

Invalid (in my opinion) reasons not to buy the Pulse:

1. "Price" - yes, it costs more than the DTS, X1, D3, Opto 3000, but not any more than the DPS, and here it is for $360:
http://store.thebackcountry.net/cart...roductid=22424

2. "You might have the only Pulse in your group" - this renders the "vitals" transmission pointless, but that's only a very small aspect of all the new features in the Pulse.

3. "It's in its first season" - I've used it on dozens of practice searches so far (including up to 7 tightly spaced transmitting beacons with significant electronic interference) and it's worked very reliably. At my AIARE ITC, one of the instructors took my Pulse and set up a three-beacon scenario that he said could fool the Pulse (i.e., 2 beacons about 2m apart, then a 3rd beacon just barely within the receive range). He reported back that he had indeed fooled mine. Then I twice attempted to replicate the problem, but both times succeeded in registering, finding, and masking all three beacons. (I need to get out soon and replicate this multiple times so see if it ever occurs again.) That's all I've heard so far concerning a potential glitch. Any future improvements in the beacon will be available to beacons purchased now (via the software upgrade). So although I'm not always an early-adopter, I don't see much point in waiting.

Valid reason not to buy the Pulse:
You've tried it yet prefer a different beacon. Out of all the beacons currently on the U.S. market (a description that excludes the elusive S1), the Pulse is by far the most technologically advanced and feature-packed. But that does not necessarily make it the best beacon (whether defined as fastest, most reliable, least confusing, etc.) for YOU! Overall, it has a much different user interface than other beacons (i.e., full-text screen and soft keys) and in general tries to do all the "thinking" for you. That will work wonders for some people, yet will be a frustrating and potentially confusing waste of time for others.
In summary, the Pulse is a very impressive high-tech wonder, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best beacon for everyone.

After reading Jonathan's last post, I changed my mind:

Dirtybrian, BUY THE PULSE

































then, after you have used it for a full season at least, write a nice and complete report in TGR, so we late adpoters can have the heads up on the new technology :D

I've been thinking about a pulse for a while now for my little sister. I would just buy an opto 3000(which is what i'm using now and love), but they dont sell them at backcountry.com anymore for some reason :( That leaves me with the other 2 anntana systems, or jumping into a pulse or peips DSP if I want 3 anntana(which I would prefer so i can 'mask' on multi's).

I'll probably pick up the pulse on saturday and write a review on it. One has already been posted about it vs the dsp advanced though.

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Originally Posted by shmoesmith

I've been thinking about a pulse for a while now for my little sister. I would just buy an opto 3000(which is what i'm using now and love), but they dont sell them at backcountry.com anymore for some reason :( That leaves me with the other 2 anntana systems, or jumping into a pulse or peips DSP if I want 3 anntana(which I would prefer so i can 'mask' on multi's).

I'll probably pick up the pulse on saturday and write a review on it. One has already been posted about it vs the dsp advanced though.

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Backcountry.com does still sell the opto 3000 but are probably just sold out. I had the same issue in November when it suddenly dropped of of their site. A few weeks later it was back. (for those that work at BC.com, it would be a nice feature to still list products that are sold out as such instead of removing them from the product list)

dirtybryan,
I am a total newbie when it comes to beacons but it sounds like you might want to ask yourself what kind of use will the beacon see. Will you be touring with just one or two other people most of the time where the likelihood of multiple burials is small and the networking function is of minimal use? Or do you expect to be in larger groups or participate in SAR efforts where you are more likely to encounter multiple burials and/or other situations that would take advantage of the Pulse's additional features?

If it is the former, I would think it is not worth the extra money. In the later case it may be worth it.

UPDATE:


We did end up purchasing a Barryvox Pulse.

Initial Impresson: I didn't like it. It felt too much like I was looking at a PDA

Functionality: WOW! This thing kicks some serious ass in multi burial situations. I was suprised at how much faster a search could be done when all you had to do was click a button to 'eliminate' the signal off the found beacon and then track onto the next closest one down the slide line. The difference would be like putting a Geo Metro up against a Porche. It made multiple searches that much faster.

Not only does it allow you to locate faster because of the masking, but it saves you TONS of energy because you dont have to track back up hill to the point you found the multiple signals to find the next signal on the way down(like you would in a traditional multi search pattern). This saved energy is invaluable when it comes to digging out a buried victim.

The only glitch was when it was used around big metal objects, at which point it had a hard tiem finding a beacon(this shoudl apply to all beacons though) The software in it is upgradeable so if there are any patches/fixes you should be able to take care of it.


CONCLUSION: I'm sure the Peips DSP would have teh same increase in spead as the pulse due to the masking, so either of them would be great beacons.
All in all, after seeing this thing in action, I think that it is well worth teh extra $100 for the multi search efficiency alone. As far as the other features, I couldn't give a damn about them.

good update. tks.