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. Within this category, the Mammut Barryvox S is head and shoulders above the rest, with a meter range 95m in analog mode , up to hours of battery life, and a clear visual interface with intuitive, animated instructions.
Customization is another selling point: you can configure acoustic and visual settings, adjust the auto-revert function, and personalize your home screen. For those who will utilize the features, the Barryvox is an exceptionally capable backcountry companion.
See the Mammut Barryvox S. Since being acquired by Black Diamond in , their products—which include beacons, probes, shovels, airbags, inclinometers, and more—have become widely available in the U.
We would prefer to have a better sense of exactly how much juice is remaining—as it is, we swap out our batteries once we see the symbol drop down to one bar. We rank the Tracker3 higher for its slimmer profile, simple interface, and time-tested track record the Powder BT was released in late , but the PIEPS is a well-made alternative with some modern upgrades. Those new to avalanche rescue might find the verbal directions especially useful—studies have shown that in an emergency, voice cues can be processed more quickly than visual cues.
See the Ortovox Diract Voice. Maximum range: 70m Battery life: hours What we like: User-friendly display screen and impressive range. Mammut avalanche beacons have a solid reputation among snow sports enthusiasts and professionals, and the Barryvox is another well-made and reliable transceiver.
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.
And this might seem like a minor detail, but we love that the switches are large enough to operate while wearing bulky gloves or mittens. A big concern about the Barryvox is its performance during fine search: some report that the beacon can grow jumbled during multiple-burial scenarios the manual recommends users slow down their search until the beacon can separate the signals. See the Mammut Barryvox. Weight: 6 oz. Maximum range: 50m Battery life: hours What we like: One of the most compact and lightweight models on the market.
France-based Arva has been manufacturing avalanche safety equipment for more than 30 years, and their impressive lineup includes beacons for every type of user, from novices to seasoned backcountry professionals.
The small but mighty EVO5 sits right in the middle and has won us over with its lightweight, streamlined build and intuitive interface that includes a large, bright screen and centrally located flagging button. On one hand, the beacon could switch back to transmit in the middle of a search; on the other, if the user were to get buried in search mode at the beginning of the 8-minute window, their chances of being found are slim.
See the Arva EVO5. Maximum range: 40m Battery life: hours What we like: Great price for a well-appointed and intuitive design. You get the same simplicity and usability that we love in the Zoom, but with added features like signal suppression marking a victim in a multiple-burial scenario , fine-search visuals, and updatable software.
We used this beacon while instructing for a season with Oregon Ski Guides and found it to be reliable, easy to operate, and accurate—three critical considerations for backcountry adventurers. 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.
As with the Recon, you get a simple interface that prioritizes ease of use, but the Guide BT takes it to the next level with increased battery life and range, analog functionality, greater customization, and an integrated inclinometer.
In addition, you get features like vibration upon first signal detection, which allows you to take your eyes off your beacon to look for clues like strewn poles or gloves. Importantly, the slider lock has been tweaked with the new model the prior design has been criticized over concerns with its durability. And we love the Bluetooth connectivity, which makes digging into the advanced functionality a breeze.
Not everyone needs this level of complexity—again, beginners will likely be better off with a simpler model—but the Guide BT is a premium and fully featured option for advanced users and pros. Weight: 8. Similar to top-shelf models like the Mammut Barryvox S, you get an impressive meter search range 70m in digital and next-level features like a U-Turn alarm and motion sensing revert-to-transmit mode. The Neo Pro also offers a neutral standby mode that keeps the beacon from both transmitting and receiving for a period of time ideal in teaching environments , and as we alluded to above, you can easily swap between analog and digital a useful feature for multiple burial situations.
At the most basic level, you get fairly similar technologies—including a large search range and the ability to switch between analog and digital—but the Mammut and BD tack on a variety of bells and whistles: for example, the Barryvox S features an LCD screen, and the Guide BT comes with Bluetooth connectivity and an inclinometer. Most snow travelers will want to stick with more familiar models from BCA, PIEPS, and Mammut, but the Neo Pro a nice middle-ground option for pros who want to save money or recreational users who are interested in taking their skills to the next level.
See the Arva Neo Pro. Importantly, you get all of the innards of the Tracker3—including an identical feature set, processing speed, and search range—with a revamped exterior featuring a rubberized, over-molded case and a larger and brighter LED display. See the Backcountry Access Tracker4.
Weight: 5. Maximum range: 50m Battery life: hours What we like: The smallest and lightest beacon here—great for skimo racers and fast-and-light missions. Touted as the smallest and lightest three-antenna beacon currently on the market 0.
Rather than a standard switch, it uses a proximity sensor to alternate between transmit and search modes depending on whether the beacon is in its harness or in your hand.
In the event of a multi burial, you can use the flagging button to mark a beacon signal as found. This beacon will then ignore that buried subject and move on to the next closest beacon signal.
The Barryvox S brings you all of the great qualities of the Barryvox with a ton of extra features. You get a blazing fast processor, an easy to use interface, and a 70 m range. It also has a Recco reflector to help searchers find you. We love that it uses only a single AA alkaline battery, giving you hours in transmit mode. It has a clear, illuminated display and intuitive acoustics to guide you to your victims.
Use the flag button to hide a signal during a multi burial event. Hold down the flagging button until PC appears. One at a time, you can test each beacon within a 1 m range. It determines your position and chooses the best transmission antenna accordingly.
If you are caught in a secondary avalanche while searching for a buried victim, this beacon will automatically switch from search mode to send mode. It has unique features like bluetooth compatibility and a built in inclinometer to measure slope angle. Overall, any of these reliable devices would make for a great backcountry companion.
Disclosure: The Inertia may receive a small commission if you make a purchase from the affiliate links included in this feature at no additional cost to you. Our goal is always to entertain, educate, and inspire, and we hope you find this feature useful. Toggle navigation. Will Sileo. Mammut Barryvox and Barryvox S.
Arva Evo 4 and Evo 5. Black Diamond Recon and Guide. View Comments. Just like Transceivers. The W-link is giving a name to those humans…and transceivers. Not only can you identify them as humans, but you know them by name. Using only a single AA battery but still maintaining fairly decent battery life, these transceivers will fit unobtrusively under your coat.
The BT stands for Bluetooth, meaning you can update software via the Pieps Avalanche Beacon app on your phone and manage features. Some people thought this was a breakthrough innovation while others hated it, so they released the Micro BT button to appease both crowds. The Micro BT button, you guessed it, has a button to switch from send to search. The DSP sport is Pieps basic recreational model. The BT indicates that it has Bluetooth and is upgradeable via an app.
The only other differences are a motion sensor, increased battery life, and a tiny bit better range in the Powder BT. It has all the bells and whistles and is the high end transceiver offered by Pieps. It has a scan function identifying numbers of signals within set distances, an inclinometer, analog mode and all the features of the previous two.
It has multiple signal suppression, auto revert and an easy to use intuitive design. It is digital only with no alternate analog mode.
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