New Transceiver = Ortovox 3+

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Saw that today actually ^^^^^^^^.

[Jonathan S.]

Here's the url:
http://www.wildsnow.com/2345/ortovox...-beacon-revie/

[GoldenBear]

I would like to see one Hacksaw. Any chance you will have one around the Summit/Vail area anytime soon?

[Hacksaw]

I would like to see one Hacksaw. Any chance you will have one around the Summit/Vail area anytime soon?

I'll let you know when I get one. Then you can have a look at the 3+ and also finally take the S1 clinic.

[Sinecure]

Hmmm. Maybe it is time to post my S1 in Gear Swap.

[MakersTeleMark]

I'll let you know when I get one. Then you can have a look at the 3+ and also finally take the S1 clinic.

If you could let me know when this is going down I'd appreciate it as well.

[Hacksaw]

If you could let me know when this is going down I'd appreciate it as well.

We'll see. It all depends upon my schedule and when I get the 3+

[brumac2]

http://www.skicanadamag.com/Features...nsceivers.html

[capulin overdrive]

any news on when the 3+ will hit the streets?

[wannabe]

I checked it out at OR and it is a pretty cool beacon, I would definitely like to play with it. They are using an accelerometer just like the iphone to calibrate it's orientation when buried. This way it will change the send power to the antennae that is oriented vertical to give the search beacon the strongest signal.

[Hacksaw]

any news on when the 3+ will hit the streets?

I believe that they will be in the stores next fall.

[capulin overdrive]

I believe that they will be in the stores next fall.

thanks!


been trying to decide if i should wait on it, or pull the trigger on something else.

[Jonathan S.]

Had a demo today – very impressive.
I’ll have my unit into Monday, and writing up my WildSnow.com review over the weekend, so if anyone has any specific questions about the 3+, just let me know, and I’ll try to incorporate the answers into my review.

[MakersTeleMark]

If you could do a side-by-side feature comparison with the s1, that would be helpful.

[Jonathan S.]

Good idea -- especially since many readers will be wondering why get the S1 if Ortovox is coming out with yet another signal separation beacon at such a lower price point.

Here are the items that my comparison table includes so far -- please let me know if you would to see anything else added to the list:

Retail price
Weight- oz
Weight- g
Batteries
Antennas
Companion check
Transmit > Search
Range- optimal alignment
Range- worst coupling
Controls
Secondary search mode display
Fore/Aft indicator?
Analog accoustical mode?
Pinpoint search mode display
Multiple burial indicator
Marking procedure?
Marking removal?
Emergency revert to Transmit
Automated revert to Transmit upon searcher immobility?
Seconds for automated revert to transmit
Survival enhancement?
Volume control?
Screen contrast adjustment?
Additional functions?

[MakersTeleMark]

Harness and screen/display perhaps and a comparison in 3+ situations/ability to narrow range.

[Jonathan S.]

Given how difficult the various screen modes are to describe in words, I've also posted a five-minute video, which will be linked in the review.
And here's the complete list of rows for the S1 vs. 3+ comparison table I've already created. (The rest of the review will follow the typical format I use for all my WildSnow.com beacon reviews.)
*****
Retail price
Weight- oz
Weight- g
Batteries
Antennas
Companion check
Transmit > Search
Range- optimal alignment
Range- worst coupling
Controls
Secondary search mode display
Indicator for forward vs behind?
Analog accoustical mode?
Pinpoint search mode display
Multiple burial indicator
Marking procedure?
Marking removal?
Default victim priority override?
Emergency revert to Transmit
Automated revert to Transmit?
Seconds for revert to transmit upon user immobility
Survival enhancement?
Volume control?
Screen contrast adjustment?
Upgradeable firmware?
Additional functions?

[bean]

I imagine size/bulkiness will be in the video, but if not that'd be good to see. Minimizing the under-jacket bump would be appealing.

Really looking forward to the review.

[Jonathan S.]

It is a bit lighter and smaller than other models, and the large rubberized vertically oriented cylindrical shapes on the back of the housing make it easy to hold.
However, when it comes to wearing comfort, weight & size of the beacon are trumped by individual reactions to harness system. Depending on where the harness tends to settle on your chest, the 3+ might minimizing the bump since it is a bit lower in profile.

[Jonathan S.]

Here’s the review:
http://www.wildsnow.com/2720/ortovox...lanche-beacon/
Some video footage should be embedded soon.
(Tracker 2 review should also be up soon.)

[bean]

Read that yesterday, can't wait to play with it in the fall.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Thanks for the great review. Digging the video perspective as well.

Plan on upgrading to 3 antenna next season. Going to be tough between the Pulse, S1 and 3+. Prolly just go to the BCA park at Sugarbowl and try to borrow from friends and test them all out.

[capulin overdrive]

thanks for the review!


i ended up snagging a new S1 for $300 something? maybe $350ish, so decided it wasn't worth waiting on the 3+.

[Jonathan S.]

That's a great deal on the S1!
This is the lowest public price I've ever seen:
http://www.rei.com/product/745206
Some good deals on other models too:
http://www.rei.com/category/40000102

[Jonathan S.]

And speaking of beacon models that are new, a bit smaller, a bit lighter, and easy to use, here's the T2 review:
http://www.wildsnow.com/2349/backcou...beacon-review/