What Beacon now?

[Jonathan S.]

I believe...The PIEPS Micro is the smallest and lightest three-antenna beacon on the market.

The new Arva Evo5 is essentially tied: I weighed it at 5g more than the Micro, and the size sure seemed to be a draw.

[lemonhead]

Any thoughts on the new Tracker S? Seems to be almost identical to the Tracker 3 minus some of the more advanced features leaving more than enough functionality for the everyday backcountry skier.

I know the best beacon is the one you are most comfortable / effective with, but with some shops selling these at $255 it sure seems like an attractive value.

One other thing - I'm still likely to going to pick up a new Barryvox as I'm more comfortable with the switch. My biggest fear is having a beacon move to tracking mode while I'm getting tumbled in a slide and I'm just not in love with the positioning of the Tracker's switch in the top corner of the device. I know they still have a locking mechanism, but it just bothers me for some reason. I imagine I'm completely crazy in this concern?

I used to patrol with a BCA tracker 2 and had one for personal use for quite some time. I just got the tracker s and am impressed with its size and ease of use. I would highly recommend it and to any of my crew who I tour with.

[adrenalated]

I posted this in another thread earlier:

BCA Tracker 2 and 3 and S generally lag behind others in range and multiple burial functionality. Their displays and audio are also more simplistic than others (good or bad depending on your preference)
Mammut's new Barryvox and Barryvox S are excellent.
Ortovox 3+ has some good features but lacks in range
Pieps/Black Diamond are consistently good
Still no experience with Arva

I personally think the Barryvox S is the best beacon on the market right now.

[Lindahl]

The new Arva Evo5 is essentially tied: I weighed it at 5g more than the Micro, and the size sure seemed to be a draw.

Doesn't the Evo5 require multiple batteries though? So effective weight is higher?

[Mountain Relish]

I have just replaced my Pulse. I use it for work, and the way that the Pulse used to tell me to STOP did not fill me with confidence that it would be as fast as I would want it to be if I was using it in anger.

After quite a lot of research I reached the conclusion that the Barryvox S was best if you were using it lots (so that you got used to making the most of the extra features), and the Pieps were best if you wanted something a bit more simple.

In the end I bought the Battyvox S for myself and the Pieps for my wife, as she gets less chance to practice.

I think that either of these are good choices.

[telepariah]

After a weekend avalanche rescue course with guides in Hokkaido I am in the market for a new beacon to replace my 3+. Leaning heavily toward the Barryvox S for its multiplicity of "pro" functions like group test, analog mode for multiple burial situations, much greater range, multi language modes, and interface. It also seemed fastest among all the beacons used, especially in final search. I hope never to use every function in real life but it was eye opening how much more powerful the experience of practicing rescue scenarios was with it. Just looking for a way to get one at a decent price. They are expensive here.

[glademaster]

All of the extra functions in beacons like the S and BD Pro Guide or whatever the hell they call it now make me nervous. It's just more shit to slow you down or cause a glitch with the beacon when time really matters. A beacon shouldn't have multiple functions, or tons of options, it should send and receive 457mhz signals and that's it.

[summit]

All of the extra functions in beacons like the S and BD Pro Guide or whatever the hell they call it now make me nervous. It's just more shit to slow you down or cause a glitch with the beacon when time really matters. A beacon shouldn't have multiple functions, or tons of options, it should send and receive 457mhz signals and that's it.

It sounds to me like you have not used these beacons. They don't have extraneous functions. They do have customizable advanced search and group check ability if pros want to do so. But you don't have to use them. I can get a never ever student nailing singles and multiples on a Barryvox S just as easy as the Barryvox (not s).

[Jonathan S.]

Doesn't the Evo5 require multiple batteries though? So effective weight is higher?

Both the Micro and Evo5 take only a single AA.
But regardless of that, I weigh beacons with batteries.
For those particular models, I never bothered weighing them with the harnesses.
And with the Micro, I included the pouch, since otherwise it's far too prone to go into Search inadvertently because of the proximity sensor.
I did not weight either with the lanyard, since any sort of lanyard can be girth hitched to either's attachment point.

[GarySanchez]

All of the extra functions in beacons like the S and BD Pro Guide or whatever the hell they call it now make me nervous. It's just more shit to slow you down or cause a glitch with the beacon when time really matters. A beacon shouldn't have multiple functions, or tons of options, it should send and receive 457mhz signals and that's it.

Is all I can say is, thank God for the advancement in technology.

What glitch have you experienced and what's slowing you down exactly when you use a newer beacon?

[alfajores]

They all have pros and cons. I personally use a Barryvox S+ but most beacons are pretty damn good right now.

Good call. I am recommending the base model now because for 99% of people, it will be easier and more effective/efficient in actual use. The range was so good that my last avy practice at NWAC made them question whether someone had their beacon in send mode. Line of site and above snow, it was close to advertised distance.

[glademaster]

Is all I can say is, thank God for the advancement in technology.

What glitch have you experienced and what's slowing you down exactly when you use a newer beacon?

Nothing, but I think it is antithetical to good design practices to increase the complexity of damn near anything, particularly something that should basically be a two function only (search and send) device.

[summit]

Nothing, but I think it is antithetical to good design practices to increase the complexity of damn near anything, particularly something that should basically be a two function only (search and send) device.

What feature does the beacon do besides search and send?

Your criticism would have been on point back when Pieps originally released the DSP and it had compass and slopemeter functions. They since removed those (the compass accelerometer, and tilt sensors are retained for driving the advanced searching DSP capability as they are in all 3 antenna beacons).

The advanced beacons use computational power and DSP to take the load off the mind of the searcher in solving the search problem.

The ultimate example of the opposite of this philosophy is an audio only single antenna analog beacon with manual gain.

[GarySanchez]

I gotta be honest. I'm feeling like there's a lack of experience in any of the new beacons here so I'm just gonna step away.

I will say this and I'm sorry if it's harsh but if any person out there is concerned with carrying out a rescue as speedily on a Barryvox, Tracker 3, Guide vs their old beacon then you don't belong in my group. I would very concerned about your competency and ability to act under pressure if a simple beacon frustrates you. The hard part is the actual digging. Not the beacon. If you can't get there then I can't trust you to dig me out. Simple as that. You should be head strong 100% with anything out there and have the confidence to pick up another beacon and get the job done. Sorry but give me any beacon and I'll get there.

[jono]

You and Glademaster are leaving word with someone of where you went and when to expect you, though, right?

[GarySanchez]

Well I leave an incredibly complex set of clues as to the whereabouts of my persons much like Forrest Fenn and his treasure.

[californiagrown]

Well I leave an incredibly complex set of clues as to the whereabouts of my persons much like Forrest Fenn and his treasure.

My dog leaves a trail of dog poops on the skintrack. Leads right to him and me. I don't need to leave directions. Just follow the poop nuggets and line of other angry Skinner's and snowshoers.

[GarySanchez]

My dog leaves a trail of dog poops on the skintrack. Leads right to him and me. I don't need to leave directions. Just follow the poop nuggets and line of other angry Skinner's and snowshoers.

They deserve it.

I was proud of my dog when she shit near the skin track and she really liked to shit. Sigh...

[Shredhead]

Looking to replace a few. Any good end of season deals?

[Meadow Skipper]

Looking to replace a few. Any good end of season deals?

This seems like a good deal if it’s still available.
https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...mut-Barryvox-S

[Shredhead]

I need 2 or 3. Preferably new.

[axebiker]

Looking to replace a few. Any good end of season deals?

I have a twice-used (LITERALLY!) Pieps DSP Sport I can part with. I’ve had it in the box a few years, and just haven’t had a need for it. Basically new. $165 + shipping?

https://www.pieps.com/en/product/pieps-dsp-sport

PM me if you’re interested.

[kootenayskier]

Moving on from my 15 year old Pulse. No longer working with large groups or pushing any limits, so really just need something small (in my pocket), easy to use, and reliable. Any reason not to go with the new Tracker S?

[LeeLau]

Moving on from my 15 year old Pulse. No longer working with large groups or pushing any limits, so really just need something small (in my pocket), easy to use, and reliable. Any reason not to go with the new Tracker S?

I picked the Barryvox to replace my old Element. Fits the bill

[Skip Dooley]

Barryvox S is still my favorite. The pieps IPS is really good too (make sure you get one with the new battery contacts).

The range on the mammut and pieps is significantly better than the tracker.

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