Category: Beacons

Review: Arva Axios

The Axios takes what Arva accomplished with Neo, an avalanche transceiver that handles multiple signals with calm aplomb, and extends the range from 65 meters to 70 plus, sometimes even 80. However, the interface that extended range comes with compromises ease of use. For those who need the range, and want the ability to customize …

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Review: BCA’s Tracker 3 avalanche transceiver

  In case you hadn’t noticed, there hasn’t been any earth shattering news in the world of avalanche transceivers lately. By and large, the revolution in digital processing and multiple antenna technology begot by Backcountry Access’ original Tracker DTS appears to have run its course. In the last five years, most of the improvements to …

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Redux: Ortovox recalls S1+ (again!)

While cruising the recent Outdoor Retailer Summer trade show, Ortovox reps asked me to remind S1+ users to observe the ongoing recall and the need to send their beacon in to be fixed. Based on results so far, very few actual customers have returned their S1+ beacons to be fixed. All the S1+ beacons pending …

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Ortovox recalls S1+ avalanche transceiver

LONGMONT, CO – ORTOVOX is announcing an immediate product recall of the S1+ model avalanche transceiver due to a repairable hardware issue. The action affects ALL S1+ models distributed in the U.S. market since July, 2011. The previous design, known as the ORTOVOX S1, IS NOT AFFECTED. The S1+ hardware issue may occur during transmission …

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Beacon Review: Arva’s Neo v2.0

  When you consider what the most important criteria are in an avalanche rescue, keeping it simple has to be one of the most important. There are plenty of things going on and you don’t need complications when you’re already facing the most serious one possible. To that end Arva’s Neo is undeniably one of …

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Review: Pieps DSP Pro v2.0

  Pieps has upgraded their DSP beacon with a new case, improved harness, better marking for multiple victims, and a few new special functions in the Pro model. Range Although Pieps is no longer king of hill for max range they’re not shabby either, with a solid 52+ meter range whether oriented parallel or crosswise. …

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Technique: Dealing with bouncing avy beacons

Anyone who has practiced even a smidgen with their digital avalanche transceiver has noticed a bit of digital bounce. What is meant by this term is the error in the distance reading of an avalanche beacon. It shows up as the distance reading changing with each update, up and down around a number that, at …

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