Burton Avalanche Probe?

[wanghoeby]

There's this Burton avalanche probe on ebay right now for 17 bucks plus 7 for shipping. The thing is 270cm, but I could find no trace of it on the net, not even on Burtons website. I'm going to need one sooner or later and this one seems fairly cheap, is it worth it? What would a used one run on the forums? I think new, the cheapest one is like 40 + sh.

What should I do?

[marshalolson]

i'd say you should totally save $20 and skimp out on the probe. def. the way to go.

[wanghoeby]

i'd say you should totally save $20 and skimp out on the probe. def. the way to go.

Does that mean buy it? Or save 20 and get a more trusted brand?

[robokill1981]

Is it made by RED? If so it's made by Burton and probably going to be fine.

[wanghoeby]

Yeah, its Red. So is 20 bucks what one would go for around here?

[marshalolson]

my sarcasm meter is broken

it looks pretty cheezy (doesn't look like a metal cable or spin top).
i'd spend the extra $ and get AT LEAST 300 (1 foot longer). this is supposed to save someones life sometime, you are not buying it just so people will let you go ski with them.

[hemlock hiker]

I would stick with something 300 or longer for sure and make sure it is by brand who specializes in this stuff G3, voile, etc. Burton does make good stuff don't konw anything about their backcountry gear. I just sold one recently for $48 (I pro formed it for $40) new on this forum , because I knew it would go to someone who would use it. We gotta take care of each other.

[wanghoeby]

So, I've got two different opinions... who's gonna break the tie?

[yesIsaidyes]

Probes are actually alot different than they seem - some are really easy to put together, some are not. Only trying them out in the store will let you know for sure. I think Marshal's point is really good - $20 isn't that much in the big picture.

[yesIsaidyes]

are there avalanches in Wisconsin?

[wanghoeby]

are there avalanches in Wisconsin?

I wish.... thankfully I'm not going to be living here much longer.

[NorCascader]

I bought one of those Burton's off of Egay...It seemed quality when I assembled...but the %#@^T$ cable is prone to release...I mean...one end literally falls off, making for a wobbily cable with some sticks wrapped around...MY ADVICE....DO NOT BUY!!!!

[wanghoeby]

Good thing I didn't.

[cj001f]

make sure it is by brand who specializes in this stuff G3, voile, etc. Burton does make good stuff don't konw anything about their backcountry gear.

Most of the RED gear was rebranded gear made by companies who "konw" what they are doing (HA!) like the RED beacon which was a Barryvox in a blue case. For a WI resident it'll be more than sufficent.

[elchupanebre4]

I just bought one of those a few weeks ago. It's got a metal cable and has on outer tube that snaps into place to lock it. It has a weight marking for 265 grams, while not the greatest (made in Tiawan so I'm doubting it's made by a more reputable company) it'll get the job done until you can step up to somethig else (the length might be on the short side depending on where your planing to use it, but if you see a deal for $40 ish from a better company I'd go with that, while I think it'll hold up, I already bought a viole I got for cheap and this one's becomeing my loan to a friend probe.

[Conundrum]

I have a BD Guide probe that is totally bomber and longer than the Burton but I bought one as a loaner. If someone doesn't have one or forgets theirs, they get my BD and I carry the Burton. It seems okay but not nearly as tough as my BD or the old life link I had before that.

[sfotex]

I already bought a viole I got for cheap and this one's becomeing my loan to a friend probe.

Uh, if your friend is skiing with you, I would loan them the the Viole probe......

[elchupanebre4]

Good call on the Voile being the loaner, Not gonna lie, the Burton will probably sit around and not see any snow, Saw it as a deal and bought it for $20 bucks, then got it in thje mail right before I saw the Voile deal. Don't really need two probes, so I'm trying to justify keeping the Burton by calling it a loaner even though it might not see any use. Probably will come up for sale whenever I clean out the closet in a year or so if I find it doesn't get used, or can use it as a......

[elchupanebre4]

Not really which is the reason the probe probably won't see use it is 10cm longer which than the voile which does add a little to it's credibility. It's still a descent probe, one that would suffice if say a partner forgot his probe (highly unlikely), and while the concern was if the prbe would stay locked while searching I think in it's new condition I'm confidant it should hold up for the time being . I do have to say I would find somewhat of a moral dillema in swaping gear with a friend. I figure if he's got gear that you wouldn't trust going into the backcountry find new partners or convince him to get new gear. I've of guys swapping beacons and shovels with thier buddies which to me seems a little far stupid first of all because if a slide happens you could be working with a tool your not familar with (especially concerning with beacons) and secondly you should trust your ger as should your buddy.

CJ thanks for makng me think about partner's gear before heading out, I never even thought of checking out the owrking order of my partners stuff before I go out, THe point was that I have two probes, I havn't seen the Viole as it's being shipped but I'm guessing it's the better one, and I figure if the Burton's still reliable why not have it as a just in case scenario, or worse comes to worse retire it before it's first use if I think it's unsafe.