ABS Backpack

[gorgeskier]

Who skis/boards/sleds with them?

If you don't - why not?

[Eluder]

YOur pole is missing proper options. What about No I cant afford one.....

[gorgeskier]

wouldn't be able to pick all of the possible reasons for the poll however...

Your scenario may be different but when I see people with new skiis/clothing that you know amounted to more than a bag and they say they can't afford it - I call BS. They can afford it, its just that they put a higher priority on spending money on new gear rather than a bag that saves their life (potentially). Personally, I don't quite get it.

Of course, if you have 10year old gear purchased second hand and hitch hike up to your local stash than I guess (IMO) you can say that you can't afford it. Even then, now you can buy some older models for ~500 (same price as a new beacon...

[summit]

A successful airbag pack that would sweep the market:

1. Less than $700 including everything
2. Less than 7#
3. 35L of USABLE storage in a panel loader design (panel loaders are the most popular) with a main compartment, and avi pocket, and a small accessory pocket.
4. GOOD suspension and easy-on/off
5. Diagonal and/or vertical ski carry (ala Osprey).

And integrated avalung will push it over the top as will a bag that inflates to protect the head/cspine. Major points for user serviceability (this means CF or CFA tank that can be refilled from a SCUBA compressor, not an steel tank full of CO2) as this allows air travel and user testing.

[HikeforTurns]

Hey Summit, what do you think of the new 45L Snowpulse?

http://www.snowpulse.ch/v5/product/p...%80%9D-45l/en/

I think this is the best option of what is currently available. Id probably pay a good seamstress to sew in a couple more well placed straps, then just use the avalung II as usual or perhaps rig it up on the opposing shoulder strap as the trigger pull?

Allthough its still gonna set you back over a grand....

[wannabe]

I am very intrigued by the new one coming out from BCA, I wish it was just a tad bit bigger as I love my switch 36.

http://www.backcountryaccess.com/eng...ComingSoon.php

Not sure when they are going to release it though.

[RoanMtnMan]

A successful airbag pack that would sweep the market:

1. Less than $700 including everything
2. Less than 7#
3. 35L of USABLE storage in a panel loader design (panel loaders are the most popular) with a main compartment, and avi pocket, and a small accessory pocket.
4. GOOD suspension and easy-on/off
5. Diagonal and/or vertical ski carry (ala Osprey).

And integrated avalung will push it over the top as will a bag that inflates to protect the head/cspine. Major points for user serviceability (this means CF or CFA tank that can be refilled from a SCUBA compressor, not an steel tank full of CO2) as this allows air travel and user testing.

x2. Well stated. Though I still prefer a top loader after a panel loader experiment last season.

[Hugh Conway]

Summits pack sounds decent; the Snowpulse I've seen look nice but are still $$$

Personally, I don't quite get it.

It's because the current models suck as packs. Same reason nobody bought the Avalung Gen1 - it was expensive and sucked.

Current models suck as packs because they:
-are heavy
-carrry squat
-don't have much provision for skiing, crappy ski carry, crappy shovel carry, crappy skin carry, crappy packs
-are expensive
-have pretty shitty distribution in North America.
-are/are perceived to be difficult to travel with (I'd rank this high as the people most likely to drop serious $ on gear are also the most likely to travel)

any combo of the above is enough to retard product acceptance - all of the above is a killer.

[summit]

What Hugh said.


I think the Snow Pulse is mostly there. The price and weight are high and the top loader is a little too big while the 30L is too small.

I don't remember them having the worlds best suspension, but I'd like to try one on again.

[Micol]

Third year riding with it. Vario 15 model. I think its heavy and expensive but what's your life worth? Three years ago I sold off a bunch of rarely used gear and had a garage sale and applied the money to my ABS purchase. I would rather have it than not.

[summit]

I am very intrigued by the new one coming out from BCA, I wish it was just a tad bit bigger as I love my switch 36.

http://www.backcountryaccess.com/eng...ComingSoon.php

Not sure when they are going to release it though.

Forget about BCA. They made an affordable $500 abs pack and DIDN'T PUT ANY FUCKING SKI CARRY SYSTEM ON. FUCKING MORONS!

"Why didn't you?"
"Well, we are selling mostly to snow mobilers."
"It's going to stay that way."
"We'll have more designs out next year."
"So will everyone else."
"It wasn't my idea to leave them off. It was his!" *points at another BCA guy*

BCA... kings of marketing and "research" that frequently justifies their outdated designs. The only thing they are market leaders on are alpine trekkers. At least they are affordable as far as BC gear goes and their stuff works as advertised and they have good customer service and support education and CAIC.

[Hugh Conway]

Forget about BCA. They made an affordable $500 abs pack and DIDN'T PUT ANY FUCKING SKI CARRY SYSTEM ON. FUCKING MORONS!

thats classic

[wannabe]

Thanks Summit, that clears that up.
Back to looking at the snowpulse.

[wcf3]

Don't use one yet. Reasons:
-The ones I've seen (don't remember brand) weren't very good BC packs.
-I fly to skiing alot, and usually I carry my pack as carry-on luggage. ABS packs need to be 'disarmed' to be allowed onboard, and even then they often won't let you take them onboard.
-Risk of accidental deployment (particularly in a fall). In steep terrain this could turn you into an airbag toboggan.

[powbear]

If you're looking for an ABS system, try these guys www.avivest.com Designed by a couple of patrollers/heli guides. It has plenty of pockets for kit ( I managed to get all of my first aid stuff, avi gear water bottle + spare layers in mine. ) It's a vest rather than a pack, but for me it is more comfortable than a pack. I've not tried the Avalung with it, but I reckon it'll work...
Having seen nearly every guide/ backcountry enthusiast in the resort I worked in in Austria using the ABS packs, I've been surprised at how few there are out here in BC.

[AKPogue]

If you're looking for an ABS system, try these guys www.avivest.com Designed by a couple of patrollers/heli guides. It has plenty of pockets for kit ( I managed to get all of my first aid stuff, avi gear water bottle + spare layers in mine. ) It's a vest rather than a pack, but for me it is more comfortable than a pack. I've not tried the Avalung with it, but I reckon it'll work...
Having seen nearly every guide/ backcountry enthusiast in the resort I worked in in Austria using the ABS packs, I've been surprised at how few there are out here in BC.

Can you use a backpack with it?

[powbear]

There's enough space in it to fit almost the same amount of kit as in my Dakin Poacher (36l I think) so you'd wear it without a pack. I think they're coming out with a guide specific vest that's got more space in it as well.

[TroySmith80]

Where did you purchase the vest? The website makes it appear that the product is not yet available.

[sfotex]

Any more info on buying an avi vest?

[splat]

Summits pack sounds decent; the Snowpulse I've seen look nice but are still $$$



It's because the current models suck as packs. Same reason nobody bought the Avalung Gen1 - it was expensive and sucked.

Current models suck as packs because they:
-are heavy
-carrry squat
-don't have much provision for skiing, crappy ski carry, crappy shovel carry, crappy skin carry, crappy packs
-are expensive
-have pretty shitty distribution in North America.
-are/are perceived to be difficult to travel with (I'd rank this high as the people most likely to drop serious $ on gear are also the most likely to travel)

any combo of the above is enough to retard product acceptance - all of the above is a killer.

I believe I was offered first US distribution on the Snowpulse and turned it down due to the sizable investment they wanted for distribution (on the road rep hitting all the heli ops) and prolly not seeing a return before someone else came along with a better and more skier/user oriented product. It will evolve, like so many products, and an airbag deemed titties will appear next year, more likely.

[Missing Link]

I've got a like new 30L ABS with extra cannisters ready to go - $600 takes it - thats half price. PM me.

ML

[Meathelmet]

Don't use one yet. Reasons:
-The ones I've seen (don't remember brand) weren't very good BC packs.

Meh.. Have about 250 days of BC with mine and have managed.Go figure...
Albeit,it should be bigger,lighterb,roomier etc, but the bag I have is the first gen. Still,it works.

Cordlette,downvest,harness,crampons,axe,food,water ,tools/EA,skins,avy gear etc shit. Everything fits in the 30L old abs.

-I fly to skiing alot, and usually I carry my pack as carry-on luggage. ABS packs need to be 'disarmed' to be allowed onboard, and even then they often won't let you take them onboard.

Yeh.Disarm! Whoa,that is difficult..
Screw off the bottle (5 seconds) and thats about it.I travel with the bag several times a year.Have had only one issue over the years where some security guy had confiscated the bottle from the skibag. Otherwise,keep the documentaiton handy (IATA) and just go.

-Risk of accidental deployment (particularly in a fall). In steep terrain this could turn you into an airbag toboggan.

O give me a fucking break.
You fall in "steep" terrain you are properly fucked anyway.
And the spills/crashes/bushwhacking have never,ever released any of my friends or my bag and never even heard of one.
Not that it cant happen,it is just that it´s more probable that you will win a beauty contest than to have a accidental triggering.



But, nice try honcho.