New Tracker

**laseranimal** · 02-28-2007, 05:18 PM

http://www.couloirmag.com/articles/d...?articleID=276

weird looking

and I'm not sure I like the pull switch for transmit/recive

but technology moves on

**pechelman** · 02-28-2007, 05:30 PM

hmm
interesting note about the real time

i think that bigger pushpull is a good idea
easier to get at with gloves and should you get caught in a slide while searching, easy to switch it to receive. The pieps is kinda push\pull anyway, but its hard to get at with gloves on.

it does look like something out of X-Men though

**H-man** · 03-01-2007, 06:05 AM

I only have a little to add to this. My Buddy Andy went to ISPO in Munich this months and spent time with all of the beacon manufacturers, especially the three antenna ones. After spending time learning from the individual manufacturers about their product, Andy was very convinced that this new Tracker was going to be the best out there for public use for the coming season.

I wish I had more facts behind his statement, but we didn't have a chance to discuss it in detail. Probably worth looking at it at least...

**hutash** · 03-05-2007, 12:33 AM

From the article:

“We’re not convinced that such features are reliable enough yet,” said McGowan. “Until they are, they could cause confusion. Besides, we have yet to find an example of a real world, recreational avalanche accident in North America where the ability to find more than one victim at a time would have actually helped the situation. Our focus with the Tracker2 is to increase the speed and ease of finding one victim at a time. We believe that will save more lives, not special functions that slow down the process and may never actually be needed.”

I can't speak for the other beacons, but the Pieps multiple victim function seems to work well in practice. I can't say I have dug out multiple victims, and hope to never have to, but this statement bugs me. If the function is needed, then you have it. Most of the beacons out there a pretty darn fast, and shaving milliseconds off a search is not going to help.

**cololi** · 03-07-2007, 02:43 PM

I like it. I saw it at the outdoor retailers, but didn't get a chance to actually use it. I watched others use it and it appeared to be excellent.

I am not a huge fan of the masking function, mainly because it doesn't always work. I have done probably 20 practice searches with the pieps, and in probably 5-6 ofthose the masking feature didn't work properly. After a few seconds, it would kick in, but I think it gives you one more thing to haveto think about waiting for the found beacon to be masked. The biggest error I had was one time when I was standing still, under a meter from the buried beacon, and it suddenly gave methe signal for anotehr buried beacon. I could not duplicate this error and am inexperiencd enough with it to think that it may have been a user error.

I've been involved in one real life search for someone who was completely buried. The impacts of lots of practice certainly paid off because we pulled the buried individual out fast enough that he never lost consciousness. I can say that we didn't even think about the operation of our beacons until after the fact, that's when the panic and thought of the situation being real kicked in. I think that whatever beacon you use, lots and lots of pratice is the key.

**m1e448** · 03-07-2007, 03:16 PM

I met the guy that designed the outer casing of the beacon. He said that the molds weren't ready at the time of the OR show and he was dremmeling stuff to get them to look nice and that BCA is making a big push to have these out ASAP. Make of this what you will. I think the outer casing on the beacon seems to be a really good idea, easier to switch from transmit ot search and even more user friendly looking. I can't really comment on the other features of the beacon as I haven't tested the search mode.

**TyeStick** · 03-08-2007, 01:01 AM

At first I thought that transmit was out and search was in, but alas I realized it was the opposite, seems like a pretty good idea.

**bossass** · 03-08-2007, 01:22 AM

I hope it has a better harness than the current one--the holster with the bungee cord. I actually like the old harness compared to the current one. The current one bounces around too much when you are schralping gnar gnar.

**summit** · 03-08-2007, 12:29 PM

I wonder what the range will be...

**khakis** · 09-03-2008, 01:31 PM

BUMP!
Any BCA insiders know when this is going to be available?

**~mikey b** · 09-03-2008, 04:59 PM

http://www.telemarktalk.com/phpBB/vi...hlight=#662730

**hafilax** · 11-10-2008, 06:20 PM

I've read Jan 2009 but that is hearsay.

**rigaudripper** · 11-21-2008, 03:47 PM

I emailed them and have one back ordered from MEC. January 2009 they told me I would have mine.

**1000-oaks** · 12-09-2008, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by bossass

I hope it has a better harness than the current one--the holster with the bungee cord. I actually like the old harness compared to the current one. The current one bounces around too much when you are schralping gnar gnar.

Easy fix, get the smallest one of these you can find:

Cut it twice with a hacksaw at three and nine o'clock (if holding the part vertically) so you can slip webbing straps into the slots.

Slip the strap that goes over the Tracker (holds it in the holster) into one of the slots, then slip the shoulder strap through the other slot.

Now the beacon holster is attached at its top to the shoulder strap (instead of just at the middle), so it won't hang outward and bounce all over the place anymore.

**khyber.pass** · 12-10-2008, 01:10 AM

Hmm, will see if I can get my hands on a retailer demo.

**hafilax** · 12-10-2008, 02:52 PM

MEC has taken the Tracker2 off of back order status and now it is unavailable. Anybody know the scoop?

**zoltank** · 01-07-2009, 05:05 AM

BCA has pushed the release to the fall.

**MultiVerse** · 01-09-2009, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by zoltank

BCA has pushed the release to the fall.

Bummer; if this is true. I know most are applauding BCAs efforts not to release the new Tracker until it’s fully baked, but I’m starting to feel a little cynical about the constant delays. Fully featured prototypes have been out in the wild for a while now and the original Tracker with nearly a decade old technology (i.e. relatively cheap to produce) is still selling well so there doesn’t seem to be much economic incentive pushing the release of the Tracker 2.
Don’t get me wrong, the original Tracker is a great beacon, but this whole vaporware release date saga is getting old.

**ben_mtl** · 09-09-2009, 11:43 AM

BUMP !

I'm looking for a beacon for next season.. was looking for the Tracker (price and dumbproofness) but if Tracker 2 finally is released I'm going for the 2 !
Any news about a release this fall ?

Thanks !

**whyturn** · 09-22-2009, 01:37 PM

Also interested since I sold my Tracker to a maggot for a fun trip to south america, why they did not take me also is a mystery........

**shirthespi** · 09-22-2009, 08:26 PM

Thanks 4 sharing,bros

**ben_mtl** · 09-23-2009, 09:39 AM

I contacted BCA directly and I've been told they schedule a release in October...
cross your fingers !

**nickinbc** · 09-23-2009, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by ben_mtl

I contacted BCA directly and I've been told they schedule a release in October...
cross your fingers !

Wasn't that October 2008?

**robnow** · 09-23-2009, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by nickinbc

Wasn't that October 2008?

'07 actually. 2 years late, hopes are not high on this product.

**DHogg** · 10-14-2009, 03:37 AM

So, this year i plan on doing quite a bit of BC stuff so need a beacon. I've heard heaps of good reviews about the current tracker. I like that its really simple and good for beginners. Does anyone know if this is a straight up replacement, or simply an addition? I ask because if its a replacement it makes me think it should still be easy to use ect like the current one.

What features does the new one have that the old does not? Yes i am a complete noob to beacons so try bare with my ignorance.