At just $360, the Neo Pro is a real steal compared to other pro models like the Barryvox S and Black Diamond Guide BT. Weight: 7.4 oz.Maximum range: 50mBattery life: 200 hours+What we like: Rechargeable battery and voice commands that allow you to keep your eyes on the scene.What we dont: Middling search range and no analog mode. Just like a smartphone or computer, keeping your beacon up-to-date will help maximize its performance. The more reliable your snowpack data is, the more reliable your decision-making will be. And importantly, despite all of these add-ons, its still competitive with the Tracker3 above in both weight and size. This is also the range in which beacons become the most reliableyou might start to get a signal from 50 or 60 meters away, but it is still likely to bounce around or disappear and come back depending on which direction youre facing. Some blades offer a serrated edge or pointed shape for extra digging power. As anyone who carries an avalanche airbag pack in the backcountry has learned, theyre usually heavy and cumbersome. The fastest beacon search ever doesnt do you any good if you cant dig out your friend. Taken together, the Barryvox offers most of the quality and usability of the high-end Barryvox S above, but in a simpler package thats competitively priced at $350 ($150 less than the S). Entry-level models like the Ortovox Zoom+ have a maximum range of 40 meters, whereas the top-of-the-line Mammut Barryvox S reaches up to 70 meters. The Barryvox S is the priciest option on our list, but that doesnt necessarily mean its the best match for everyone. The Alias pack it comes in is streamlined and, like the Halo, hits the 30-liter day-trip sweet spot.Pro Tip: Always keep the AvaLung snorkel unzipped and close to your mouth when backcountry skiing. The high-pressure aspiration, along with the increased airflow of two separate airbags, helps them inflate up to twice as fast as other packs (between 2 and 2.5 seconds). The Future of Snow Study: Digging snow pits is laborious, and reading them accurately requires a good deal of training and expertise. Not everyone needs this level of complexityagain, beginners will likely be better off with a simpler modelbut the Guide BT is a premium and fully featured option for advanced users and pros.See the Black Diamond Guide BT. There are important considerations when making a purchase: What is your skill level? Mens Journal has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Inside, the coated stainless steel cable wont corrode, so you can rely on it for years to come.Pro Tip: If you primarily ski in lower-snowpack areas like Colorado or the East Coast a space-saving 240cm probe, like the G3 240 Speed Tech, should be adequate. We use affiliate links andmay receive a small commission on purchases. The Avalanche Airbag: Practice doesnt make perfect, but it could save your ass in an avalanche. Thats why 2/3 of all avalanche fatalities are the result of asphyxiation. A beacon is just one piece of the avalanche safety puzzle and should always be accompanied by both a probe and shovel. Theres a surprising lack of light, packable rescue sled options available for winter backcountry users. Given this features importance in keeping us safe, we like to have the option to customize (BCA does a great job of detailing reasons for this here).Multiple Burials and Signal Suppression Practicing with your beacon will help you determine the range at which you can reliably pick up a signal. The air bags also offer protection against blunt force trauma, another danger of avalanches. See the PIEPS Micro BT Sensor. Alongside a great battery life (250 hours in transmit mode) and competitive signal range (55m), you get features like a multiple-burial indicator and optional motion-sensing auto revert, which adds an extra dose of assurance in the case of a secondary slide. Plenty of outdoor companies already stitch the reflectors, which weigh less than four grams and are about the size of a USB stick, inside jackets, boots, bibs and helmets. Almost every probe features length measurements printed on the shaft. An avalanche beacon, also called a transceiver, is an essential piece of gear for backcountry travel in snow-covered terrain. Learn About Air Travel with an Airbag Pack. Calls may utilize automated systems. Picture this: one of your ski partners is buried in a slide. Shit happens, even on gorgeous bluebird days when the pow is deep and stoke-factor high. Staying safe in the avalanche terrain depends on smart decision-making. Reaching up to 70 meters, it offers one of the broadest search widths and largest receiving ranges on the market, and the backlit screen is easy to read and interpret with a variety of helpful images (many will find this superior to the LED display of models like the Tracker3 above). However, while this might seem innovative at first, it does leave room for error, and toggling a switch isnt all that inconvenient (note: the Micro BT Button features the more traditional manual switch from search to transmit). In what region For experienced skiers and snowboarders venturing into avalanche terrain, an airbag pack can provide an extra boost in safety. Without going too deep into the details, the important thing to understand here is that analog beacons can pick up transmitting signals from farther away through the use of audio transmissions (most beacons with analog capability come with a headphone jack).

Oftentimes, brands will distinguish between search width (side-to-side range) and maximum search range (out in front of you), although the two numbers are always within the same ballpark. And cost almost always correlates with complexity, so those just getting into backcountry adventuring definitely dont need to spend up for the most premium model. Read more about us. Think about it: if youre averaging 5-hour tours and arent practicing all the time, you can get 30+ days on one set of batteriesand thats at the low end (of course, you'll want to change them out before the battery life is too low). The less mental processing you have to do in an avalanche scenario, the better. Every measurement syncs to your smartphone (via Bluetooth), which uploads it to the web for others to use in their decision-making. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Please set your password using the link below. If your beacon fails its test, it should display an error code and/or sound an alert. Check the local avalanche forecast, and learn to evaluate the snowpack where youre skiing. Some models are slightly more robust than others, including BCAs rubber-encased Tracker4, but most forego added durability measures. For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube! Single-day courses like Introduction to Avalanche Safety or Avalanche Awareness Clinics are another great place to start getting familiar with the essential gear and learning the finer points of snow and weather conditions.

Finally, $390 is fairly steep when you consider that top-notch beacons like the Tracker3 and Recon BT cost around $40-50 less. Size isnt the only thing that sets the Micro BT apart from the competition. At $320, the Arva EVO5 adds up to one of the best values here. Others have a motion sensor that detects your movement: if youre not moving (i.e., potentially buried), theyll switch back to sending after a short period of time (for Ortovox beacons, this period is 2 minutes). rab clothing summer In either case, however, the best beacon is the one that you know how to use. The whole system is 11.3 inches long and 1.3 inches wide when packed, so it fits easily into the avalanche rescue tool compartment of any ski pack. A plastic blade isnt strong enough to dig through concrete-hard avalanche debris. Further, some of the larger models feature big display screens and more glove-friendly toggles, which certainly makes them easier to use. The 3+ is slightly heavier and bulkier than the Zoom+, but the tradeoff is well worth it for those who plan to utilize the added functionality. Specifically, this includes better search range, increased battery life and processing speed, detailed display graphics, and state-of-the-art features like a U-turn indicator to keep them searching in the right direction. The main difference here is that theres a designated detector which is used by ski patrols, heli-ski operations and search-and-rescue teams that bounces radar signals off of reflectors embedded in a victims clothing. With the highest psi (and power) of any available system, though, it doesnt compromise on performance. Weight: 5.3 oz.Maximum range: 50mBattery life: 200 hoursWhat we like: The smallest and lightest beacon heregreat for skimo racers and fast-and-light missions.What we dont: The weight and space savings are inconsequential for most recreational users. Most of the beacons here appeal to recreational users, but ski guides, patrollers, and avalanche professionals need additional functionality. Visit the American Avalanche Associations websiteto learn more and sign up for a Level 1 avalanche class. This Panerai Hits the Adventure Watch Sweet Spot, Brighten Your Summer with July's New Fitness Gear, Perform Better with Tommy John 360 Sport Underwear, Dad Grass Tinctures: Sleep, Chill and Recover, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. The $2,250 unit is currently available to professionals only, but widespread adoption would result in crowd-sourced, standardized real-time avalanche risk data that could dramatically reduce the number of backcountry accidents. Take an avalanche safety course (AIARE and AAI are best) so you know the basics. The Guide BT is identical to PIEPS Pro BT beacon, which serves as an upgrade from the old PIEPS DSP Pro. Often, the more important spec is a beacons dimensions, as many prefer streamlined models that can slip into their pants pocket (our top pick, the BCA Tracker3, is well-liked for its minimalist build). backpacking campmor But thats not to say the EVO5 doesnt have a lot going for it, and its especially appealing for skimo racers looking to shave weight and bulk. Some of these organizations also provide free Know Before You Go talks or videos. Some screens are more detailed than othersthe Mammut Barryvox S, for example, has a bitmapped screen that can display advanced graphicsbut remember that simple often means safer. While we consider this an essential feature, we do wish Ortovox had built in the option to turn it on and off (the Tracker3 above prompts you to turn on the function each time you power on the beacon). Sewn-In Safety: Heres a little life-saving doodad you cant buy (not directly, at least), but which you may already be using. To take a reading, simply drive the 150cm probe into the snowpack. A slope meter allows you to measure the angle of the slope youre planning to ski. Once the first victim is located, the searcher will mark their transmitting beacon (thus silencingor suppressingit) and continue to look for the next-closest signal. Handles come in three basic shapes: T-grip, D-grip, and L-shaped. When theres weaker, less cohesive snow (faceted snow, surface hoar or depth hoar, for example) below a stronger, more cohesive slab, a slope is unstable and avalanche danger is high. In search mode, the beacon can pick up more than one signal, but it does not have a marking function (also known as signal suppression) to assist with a multiple-burial search. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Invalid email or password. Most avalanche beacon manufacturers claim a search range between 40 and 70 meters.

TSA tightly regulates travel with airbag packs that use a cylinder; rules will vary depending on the type of propellant. By far, the best way to educate yourself is through an avalanche safety course, and a Level 1 course from an organization like the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) or American Avalanche Institute (AAI) is where many aspiring backcountry-goers start. Tasked with transmitting your location and helping you search for buried victims, an avalanche beacon (also called a transceiver) is an essential piece of gear for backcountry exploration. The Best New Winter Camping Gear for Finding Comfort in the Cold, The Coolest New Tech From Our 2022 Winter Gear Guide, Shoe-ins: The Best Gear for Winter Snowshoe Hikes in 2022, How to Transition From Resort Skiing to Backcountry Touring. Some advanced beacons enable you to mark multiple burial victims, and can automatically guide you to the closest signal (blocking out all others) to drastically reduce search time in the event of a multiple burial. The pack features an air bladder that inflates with the pull of a handle to keep you closer to the surface of the slide. TheBlack Diamond JetForce and Arcteryx Voltair airbag packs use an extremely powerful battery-driven fan for inflation. belt axys tki factory The size of your pack will depend on the kind of touring youll be doing; day-long tours will require a larger pack, while you can go more streamlined for heli-riding or snowcat-accessed terrain. Patrollers and guides can certainly get an upgraded interface and better battery life and range in a model like the $500 Mammut Barryvox S below, but the Tracker3 is a nicely equipped option at a good price point. The brand-new SP1 promises to drastically simplify snow study, giving both trained professionals and recreational backcountry users accurate, accessible snowpack data in seconds. But the steel canister on Arvas Reactor Airbag System is the smallest on the market, preserving the entirety of this packs 25-liter capacity. Beacons dont get much simpler than the Ortovox Zoom+, which is why weve selected it as our favorite option for beginners. Also, practice your beacon search and digging techniques regularly; nothing beats experience in the backcountry. For those in the market for their first transceiver, the Tracker3 is a really nice choice. Whether youre a skier, snowboarder, snowshoer, or snowmobiler, having a functional and capable beacon is crucial for staying alive in the event of a slide. For this reason, we recommend limiting your beacons exposure to the elements by keeping it safely stowed close to your body and always underneath your outer layers. Many backcountry-ready pants or bibs include a beacon clip, and it's highly recommended to use this feature. Avalanche.org is a great place to start, and its also a good idea to get acquainted with your local avalanche center, where you can find the latest reports and snowpack information. But no safety gear is an adequate substitute for knowledge and good decision-making. The third iteration of the popular Tracker series earns our top pick for 2022by checking all the right boxes for recreational backcountry users. Avalanche beacons are small enough to fit in your hand and tip the scales at around 5 to 8 ounces. Gear Patrol participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Weight: 7.4 oz.Maximum range: 70/95m (digital/analog)Battery life: 300/400 hours (alkaline/lithium)What we like: Top-of-the-line search range and feature set; clear visual interface.What we dont: Expensive and overkill for most recreational users. Having the right avalanche safety gearand the know-how to use itis critical before heading into the backcountry. I agree to receive recurring, outbound marketing calls to the phone number associated with my default address from a Gearhead. axys rmk silencer Since being acquired by Black Diamond in 2012, their productswhich include beacons, probes, shovels, airbags, inclinometers, and morehave become widely available in the U.S. But dont let looks deceive you: Ortovox still packed in a functional feature set, including a multiple-burial indicator and motion-sensing auto revert, which switches the beacon back to transmit mode if no motion is detected for 2 minutes. Its that simple.

See the Arva EVO5. In spite of this weakness, the Barryvox has one of the best marking functions among mid-range beaconsits particularly better than the Tracker3 above. In general, beacons can be broken down into two categories: those ideal for recreational use and those geared towards professionals such as ski guides, avalanche course instructors, and pro patrollers. The Probe: This stiff, full-length (308 cm) carbon probe shaves ounces from your pack without compromising your ability to locate a partner in deep debris. Batteries last longer in transmit mode than in search, so if youre practicing with your beacon frequently, you may notice the battery life drop more quickly. BCAs Tracker3 has been one of the most popular and well-regarded beacons for years running, and the Tracker4 builds off the popular design with a few key updates. This is to ensure that in the event of a slide, the beacons of buried party members will continue to transmit a signal, and remaining party members and rescuers will then switch their beacons to search mode to locate their partner(s).

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