Searching: The Tracker2 indicates direction with five directional LEDs. As with the Tracker DTS, the Tracker2's direction indicator feels very accurate.

In my testing (note that I tested the range of one Tracker2 on two occasions, versus testing 6 Tracker DTS transceivers on 12 occasions) the Tracker2's range was only 4 meters longer than the Tracker DTS. I suspect additional testing will show the Tracker2 has 5+ meters on the original Tracker. Another difference between the two beacons is the Tracker2 can display the distance to the transmitting beacon before it displays the direction indicator (as does the Ortovox Patroller). This adds to the perception of a longer range, but the range chart shows the distance when the direction indicators were displayed. The Tracker2 has a suggested search strip width of 40 meters versus 20 meters with the Tracker DTS (and 50 meters for the Barryvox Pulse, Ortovox S1, and Pieps DSP).

Multiple Burials: The Tracker2 indicates when there are multiple victims by illuminating a small light. If there are two victims within 5 meters of the Tracker2, the light blinks. I've seen the light illuminated when searching for older analog transceivers, which threw me for a loop as I attempted to search for a second, nonexistent, transceiver. (I've seen other digitals display "phantom" multiple burials, too.)

The Tracker2 does not have the ability to suppress a transmitter so you can search for the next victim. There is a small "special mode" button that can aid in multiple burial searches. Learn more about the Tracker2's handling of multiple victims.

Spikes: The Tracker2 has three antennas. In exhaustive testing, the Tracker2 resolved spikes flawlessly. The addition of a third antenna is one of the key improvements over the original Tracker (DTS).

Controls: Backcountry Access (BCA) stuck to the core principle of the Tracker DTS when they designed the Tracker2—ease of use. The Tracker2 does not have any extra buttons, menus, or extra features. It has an obvious on/off dial, and a well-labeled and intuitive toggle between transmit and search (you pull the triangular block on the "tail" of the transceiver).

There is a multi-purpose "special mode" button on the front of the transceiver. The button is smaller and much less obvious than on the Tracker DTS, which is good because it reduces the likelihood that people will press it without understanding its function:

• If you hold the "special mode" button pressed while turning on the Tracker2, the transceiver will automatically revert to transmit after five minutes of searching without receiving a signal (and it'll make plenty of noise for 30 seconds before reverting).
• If you hold the "special mode" button pressed while entering search mode (until "LO" is displayed), the Tracker2 will search with the speaker turned off (handy during trainings).
• If you press the "special mode" button while in transmit mode, the battery level is displayed.
• If you press the "special mode" button while searching, the search area will be narrowed as explained here.

Comfort: The Tracker2 is approximately 12% smaller than the Tracker DTS and 18% lighter. The weight savings comes from a lighter harness.

Other: The Tracker2 has a larger screen that is easier to read in bright sunlight, a stronger (rubberized) case, and is upgradeable (or so I've been told).

BCA did it right with the Tracker2. This no-frills, no-confusion beacon builds on the strengths of its predecessor. I'm hopeful that additional testing will show the range to be closer to the Barryvox Pulse, Pieps DSP, and Ortovox S1.