New Tracker Beacon ?/commentary

[laseranimal]

I noticed in a recent cataloge that the new Trackers can be used without a harness system. Does that strike any of the more experinced backcountry users as a VERY bad idea? I would think a lot of newbies would simply turn the becon on and stuff it into their backpack. If their backpack becomes separated from them they're shit outta luck. Not to mention someones wasting time digging for a backpack instead of a body

[homerjay]

Lou Dawson, I think, and one of my Level 1 course isntructors put theirs in the pocket on the front of their bibs. It's a pretty common practice. Some may say that it's better than fumbling with straps, etc.

The old ones can be used w/o a harness, too, bro. It's called scissors.

[PNWbrit]

Lou Dawson, I think, and one of my Level 1 course isntructors put theirs in the pocket on the front of their bibs. It's a pretty common practice. Some may say that it's better than fumbling with straps, etc.

The old ones can be used w/o a harness, too, bro. It's called scissors.

Yep - lot's of guides and Avie instructors do this. I think AMGA or maybe UIAGM recommend that the beacon go in zippered pocket on non dominant handside.

Def think that it's not a good idea for the amateur - to easy to loose, drop or end up in a pack if you shed layers.

The new strap is supposed to be a lot simpler - a good thing.

[H-man]

I like the strap with my M2 since it insures that the beacon is on. I also think that having it secured to your body somehow during a search is very important in case of a secondary slide.

My .02

[cj001f]

Lou Dawson, I think, and one of my Level 1 course isntructors put theirs in the pocket on the front of their bibs. It's a pretty common practice. Some may say that it's better than fumbling with straps, etc.

Given the JH avy a couple years ago where the dude survived, but his beacon didn't, so he couldn't search for his bro I like giving mine as much padding as possible. That whole strap fumbling argument is dumb IMHO. If your that clumsy with it you haven't been practicing.

[homerjay]

Given the JH avy a couple years ago where the dude survived, but his beacon didn't, so he couldn't search for his bro I like giving mine as much padding as possible. That whole strap fumbling argument is dumb IMHO. If your that clumsy with it you haven't been practicing.

Easy, pal, I'm just saying that respected people in the industry don't use 'em, brah. I do, in fact, I prefer it, but I also think the old tracker straps could be improved on, and apparently were improved on.