Avalanche beacon

I looking for a avalanche transceiver.
I looking for something simple and easy to use with gloves on

Tell me what you use (make and model) and why you like it or really hate it.

A recent discussion is here. I know from experience the Trackers are easy to use with gloves.

Jeff J wrote:I looking for a avalanche transceiver. I looking for something simple and easy to use with gloves on Tell me what you use (make and model) and why you like it or really hate it.

I think they're all designed to be used with gloves on and most of them are pretty simple to use. The simpler you go, the more basic the functions are going to be. And, of course, you'll get a little more functionality if you pay more but that will add to the complexity, 'tho I wouldn't say any of the models currently in production are all that complex.

For instance, a higher-end model may have the ability to "mark" victims meaning that, once you've located one victim, you can set the beacon to stop giving you readings on that victim so you can focus on finding others. That's very valuable for situations involving multiple burials. As for the added complexity, it's one more button. You push it when you've located the victim via probe..that's it.

On the low end, you can get a receiver that has one antenna whereas high-end beacons have three. A one antenna beacon is a simpler device but I think it would actually add complexity in that one antenna doesn't provide as accurate a read out and makes it harder to locate a victim.

I use the Pieps DSP Smart Transmitter. Here are a few reasons I prefer it over other brands:

- The display is very easy to read.
- It's more sensitive and accurate than (some) other beacons based on side by side comparisons. I used it in an avy course with others who were using BCA Tracker beacons. I got a read on the 'victims' a good 20 meters before others did. And, when we got close, I was getting sub-2 meter readings while the BCA beacons were only getting as accurate as 2-3 meters.
- It can be upgraded. Software can be updated via a Pieps dealer. I haven't had to do this yet, but it is a nice feature and the generation that preceded mine did get a software upgrade. So, if I'd bought my beacon 6 months earlier, I would've used the upgrade capability.

I love my BCA Tracker but the Tracker 2 is out and it has three antennas and is great. I have tested it and it will be my next buy. I would suggest testing every transceiver you think about buying.

Pieps DSP, upgradable software, nuff said.

I use the Pieps DSP. Super easy to use. It makes sense.

It tells me 1. How many victims you have 2. Direction to the closest beacon 3. Distance to the closest beacon. I like the fact that I can mark a victim and move to the next. This makes the prospect of effectively handling a multiple burial simple. With more and more people skiing in backcountry areas...I am able to control the actions of my own group, but I can't always control the actions of the skiers in groups above me, below me, or off to the side of me. This is a consideration.....plus I heard that they are making a dog beacon that is compatible with the DSP for next year.

As an avalanche professional, I use the Pieps DSP and it is a great beacon. Long range, accurate distance readouts, multiple burial functions including marking, and it is really easy to use. We train more on aquiring the signal than on following it to the victim. It is easy to find the victim once you have the signal.

The tracker 2 and ortovox comparisons are really easy to use also and deserve a look. Many people agree that multiple burials occur so rarely that those functions shouldn't be why you choose one model over another (and they can and do fail).

Don't be cheap and buy a single antennae beacon though. the search functions of a 3 antennae (sp?) are way better and faster, especially in a deep burial situation.

So after looking through the suggestion on this site and post, and looking at the manufacturers websites I have narrowed in down to these three possible models
in the order of interest to me

Pieps DSP
Mammut Pulse
BCA tracker 2

all have about the same 50-60M range and are three antenna.

How Im I doing so far, any of those three that are a no go?

I love my BCA Tracker 2! It's a bit of a no-brainer for me: easy to use and reliable! Really-I can't recommend it highly enough!

danaM wrote:I love my BCA Tracker 2! It's a bit of a no-brainer for me: easy to use and reliable! Really-I can't recommend it highly enough!

I found a good deal on two BCA tracker 2s. So now it time to play hide and seek and get use to how they work.