The
ARVAs are French transceivers that have not been widely distributed in USA.
The ARVA 9000 is an older model that was discontinued in 2001.
Summary:
This is an interesting beacon in that it has one antenna,
yet the audible tone is digital. The tone increases in both cadence and pitch
as you near the victim, and the screen displays digital numbers. Read more about
audio feedback here.
Although I have only done moderate testing of this beacon (and it has been
discontinued), the ARVA 9000 appears to be one of the most capable of the single-antenna
transceivers I have tested (i.e., the long range you would expect from an analog
beacon and the best audio and visual indicators of the analogs).
Summary: The Evolution+ is an excellent
two-antenna transceiver that is similar
to the
ARVA Advanced,
Barryvox 3000, and
Tracker DTS. The controls are a little more intuitive than the Tracker DTS.
The range is similar to the Tracker DTS. The Evolution+ was replaced by the
ARVA Evo3 in late-2009.
Searching: Prior to the 2007/2008 update, the Evolution+ displayed
five LEDs similar to the
ARVA Advanced and
Tracker DTS. Beginning with the 2007/2008 update, the direction indicator
is an LCD arrow similar to the
Pieps DSP. The audible feedback
of all of the ARVA's is excellent.
Multiple Burials: The Evolution+ shows an icon when there are
multiple victims. You can toggle the "nose"
of the transceiver to enter a scan mode that provides information regarding
the multiple victims. Read the
details.
Controls: The Evolution+ turns on when the harness is connected. The
switch that changes between transmit ("SOS") and search is reasonably
intuitive. A bump of the switch conveniently changes from search back to transmit.
Comfort: The Evolution's harness positions the transceiver on
your side. The only downside of the ARVA transceivers is they are a little large
(47% larger than a
Barryvox 3000, 18% larger than a Mammut
Pulse, and 15% larger than a Pieps DSP).
Other: The English section of the
owner's manual improved in 2007/2008,
but it is still somewhat awkward.
Summary: The ARVA Advanced transceiver is both analog and digital (hence
the interesting capitalization of ADvanced in much of the literature). It is
otherwise very similar to the
Evolution+ except as noted below. The ARVA Advanced was replaced by the
ARVA 3Axes in late-2009.
Searching: Digital searching is identical to the Evolution+. However,
if you press and hold both the "-" and "+" buttons for two
seconds, the transceiver switches to analog mode. You can then use the "-"
and "+" keys to modify the sensitivity of the analog signal (similar
to a classic analog beacon). This is a quick and easy way to change between
modes. If you are an old-school analog rescuer or prefer analog mode when searching
for multiple victims, the ability to switch to analog mode is great (and is
similar to the
Barryvox 3000 and Pulse). The BeaconReviews.com
range chart displays two ranges for beacons
that have both an analog and digital mode.
Multiple Burials: The ARVA Advanced shows an icon when there are multiple
victims. Beginning with the 2007/2008 model (which has a semi-transparent housing,
versus the opaque housing of the previous model), you can suppress a victim
(they refer to this as blocking) by quickly switching from search, to transmit,
and then back to search (i.e., by toggling the "nose" switch). Earlier
versions of the Advanced performed multiple victim searches by dividing the
search area into nine sections that you move through using the "-"
and "+" keys. I wasn't a fan of that technique. If you have an
earlier ARVA Advanced, you may be able to return it to ARVA (in France) to have
it updated. Learn more about searching for multiple victims using the ARVA Advanced
here.
Controls: To turn on the Advanced, you connect the wrist strap to
the transceiver (versus the Evolution+ turns on when the harness is connected).
Changing to search mode is unusual, but simple (you pull the "nose"
of the beacon).
Comfort: The harness is different from the Evolution+ (the Evolution's
harness is required to turn the unit on whereas the Advanced slides into a pouch
on the harness). Both harnesses comfortably position the transceiver.
Other: Some other reviewers (and the manufacture's literature)
say that the ARVA has faster processing than other transceivers. The processing
seemed similar to the Tracker DTS and little faster than the Pieps DSP, but
I did not attempt to quantify the differences.
Summary: The Evo3 is basically the
ARVA Evolution+ with a third antenna
to resolve spikes. This is ARVA's easiest-to-use model, with distance and
direction indicators.
Searching: The direction indicator on the Evo3 is an LCD arrow similar
to the
Pieps DSP. The audible feedback
of all of the ARVA's is excellent. The Evo3's third antenna resolves
spikes flawlessly.
Multiple Burials: The Evo3 shows an icon when there are
multiple victims. You can toggle the "nose"
of the transceiver to enter a scan mode that provides information regarding
the multiple victims. Read the details.
Controls: The Evo3 turns on when the harness is connected. The switch
that changes between transmit ("SOS") and search is reasonably intuitive.
A bump of the switch conveniently changes from search back to transmit.
Comfort: The Evo3's harness positions the transceiver on your
side. The only downside of the ARVA transceivers is they are a little large
(47% larger than a
Barryvox 3000, 18% larger than a Mammut
Pulse, and 15% larger than a Pieps DSP).
Summary: The Evo3+ is identical to the
ARVA Evo3, but it indicates if there is one, two, or more than two victims
whereas the Evo3 showed if there was one or more than one victims—a very
subtle difference. The Evo3+ is also $20.00us less expensive than the
Evo3. It's an easy to use beacon with a relatively short
reception range.
Summary: The ARVA 3Axes is basically an
ARVA Advanced with a third antenna
to resolve spikes. As with the Advanced, the 3Axes allows you to toggle between
digital and analog modes. (Don't confuse the ARVA 3Axes,
which was discontinued in 2011, with the
ARVA Axis, a completely new avalanche
transceiver that was released in 2011.)
Searching: As with the Advanced, if you press and hold both the "-"
and "+" buttons for two seconds, the transceiver switches to analog
mode. You can then use the "-" and "+" keys to modify the
sensitivity of the analog signal (similar to a classic analog beacon). The 3Axes'
third antenna resolves spikes flawlessly.
Multiple Burials: Learn more about searching for multiple victims
using the ARVA Advanced
here.
Controls: To turn on the Advanced, you connect the wrist strap to
the transceiver. Changing to search mode is unusual, but simple (you pull the "nose"
of the beacon).
Summary: The ARVA Link is a three-antenna
avalanche transceiver with a long range that is very similar to the
Mammut Pulse (the Link was developed in partnership with Mammut, the company
that developed the Pulse). The Link offers both analog and digital modes, supports
selective marking of multiple burials and
handles spikes. The
ARVA Axis is the little brother to the Link and shares most of the Link's
features.
Summary:
The Barryvox VS 2000 Pro is an analog, single-antenna transceiver. It is available
with a RECCO chip for an additional €15. Its sister
beacon, the
Barryvox VS 2000 Pro Ext, includes a powerful external antenna.
Searching:
As with all single-antenna transceivers,
you (and not the transceiver) must interpret the
flux lines to locate the victim (versus
multiple antenna beacons that display a
direction indicator). Likewise,
single-antenna transceivers cannot compensate for spikes
(which you can compensate for with good probing).
Unlike most single-antenna analog transceivers, the 2000 Pro does not include
any visual indication of signal strength.
Controls: The 2000 Pro has a single dial to change between transmit
and receive. This dial also controls the reception sensitivity.
Comfort: The harness is made with a narrow strap and positions the
transceiver on the front of your chest.
The
Barryvox VS 2000 Pro Ext is almost identical to the
VS 2000 Pro, but it has three major distinctions.
First, the Ext (which
stands for external) is an avalanche receiver, but not a transmitter.
This unit is used strictly for searching by professional rescuers.
Second, the Ext comes with a massive, external antenna. The antenna, which
is almost a foot long and 1-1/2 inches in diameter, gives the Ext tremendous
range.
Third,
the Ext includes a high-quality pair of Peltor headphones to help you hear the
signal.
The Ext's true strength is its long range. A rescuer can stand at the
top of an avalanche field and search a tremendous area. I've worked with
a special version of the Ext which can be lowered out the door of a helicopter.
This allowed us to search avalanche debris for a possible burial without exposing
rescuers to the avalanche hazard.
The Ext requires two hands to operate (one to hold the receiver and adjust
the sensitivity and the other to aim the antenna). Because it is intended to
be used with the headphones, it can't be used with a helmet.
Given
the unique design of the Ext, it isn't really fair to rate it using the
five-star approach. If you want to know if an avalanche transceiver is transmitting,
the Ext can't be beat and disserves five stars. If you want to search for
a buried transceiver, the Ext probably disserves two or three stars due to the
lack of a directional or distance indicators (although a skilled rescuer can
quickly locate a victim using the handheld antenna). If you want to carry a
transceiver with you when you are backcountry skiing, this isn't it.
Summary:
The Barryvox Opto 3000 is a dual mode transceiver that starts receiving in analog
mode and switches to digital mode as you near the victim. In addition to its
dual mode, it has the benefits of two-antenna
beacons, offers customization, and is
small. This is my favorite two-antenna beacon. Although the
Tracker DTS is easier to use, I like the 3000's ability to switch into
analog mode and its small size.
An earlier version of the 3000 was packaged in a blue case. I'm unsure of the
differences between the blue and red models.
The 3000 beacon has been discontinued and replaced by the
Mammut Pulse.
Searching: The
Barryvox 3000 displays
an intuitive arrow to indicate the direction. It does not have the ability to
suppress a transceiver during a multiple burial,
but it does indicate when there is more than one victim and the analog tone
helps experienced users resolve multiple burials.
Two distances are shown for the Barryvox 3000 in the
range chart, because it starts in analog
mode and then switches to digital mode. You can also manually switch between
analog and digital mode.
An article in a popular backcountry magazine mentioned that in their testing
the 3000 had a range of only 14 meters when the antennas were in worst orientation
(i.e., the transmitting and receiving beacons were perpendicular). That has
not been the case in my tests where the 3000 has an average range of 23 meters
(view the testing details) in worse orientation
versus an average of 27.2 meters for all digital beacons (again in worst orientation).
Controls: The On/Off switch is located on the back of the transceiver
and is very intuitive. However, changing from transmit to receive is far from
intuitive: you press the Mode button three times. If you press it too quickly
(as you might do when your buddy is dying), the mode does not change. To return
to transmit mode, you press and hold the Mode button for a few seconds–not easy
to do during a secondary avalanche. As an informal test, I often hand the 3000
to someone unfamiliar with it and urgently ask them to change to receive mode.
Nobody has ever passed the test. Of course, if you own a 3000 it is certainly
easy-enough to learn how to change modes, but is not intuitive.
Customization: The Barryvox
3000 allows you to modify several configuration options. You enter the customization
section by holding both the "+" and "-" buttons pressed
during startup. You can then control:
Whether it should start searching in analog mode and then switch to
digital mode ("dA") or only search in digital mode ("d").
Summary:
The Tracker DTS from Backcountry Access (BCA) is a popular and easy to use beacon.
It set the standard as the first
two-antenna transceiver. However, it
has one the shortest ranges of the digital
beacons and several of the newer digital beacons have easier to use controls. The
Tracker2 has many improvements over the Tracker DTS.
(Note that BCA increased the recommended search
strip width of the Tracker DTS, from 20 meters to 40 meters, during 2010.
The 2010/11 Tracker DTS user manual
mentions both 20 and 40 meters, but the manufacture has informed me that they
now consider the recommended width to be 40 meters.)
Searching: Intuitive blinking lights indicate the
direction. The DTS senses changes
in direction quickly. If you get off-course by a few degrees, the lights promptly
indicate the new direction.
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Tracker DTS
The Tracker DTS'
multiple burial feature takes some serious practice. The
fine search can be a little confusing,
because the directional indicators
(lights) continue to point (often away from the victim) no matter how close
you are to the victim. To compensate for this, ignore the directional lights and use
the distance numbers when you are within 2 or 3
meters of the victim. Because
the Tracker DTS has two-antennas (unlike the
Tracker2 which has three antennas), it is unable to resolve
spikes.
Controls: Turning the DTS on is obvious. Changing to search mode is
easy, but not intuitive (you press the large red button until the letters "SE"
are displayed at which point you release the button). There is a yellow button
that narrows the range to help find multiple burials. This works fairly well,
but requires practice. If you turn the
unit on while pressing the yellow button, the Tracker DTS will automatically
switch from receive to transmit mode if it doesn't receive a signal in a
few minutes.
Summary: The Tracker2 is a three-antenna
transceiver from Backcountry Access (BCA)
that was released in early 2010. Compared to the original
Tracker (DTS), the Tracker2 is even easier to use, has a slightly
longer reception range, has a larger
display, resolves spikes flawlessly, turns
the direction
indicator off when it is within 3 meters, includes a
multiple burial
indicator light, and it can be periodically
upgraded with newer features.
It's also 18% lighter and 13% smaller.
This is a sold no-frills avalanche transceiver at a competitive price.
(Read the rumors about the Tracker3.)
Summary:
The Mammut Element Barryvox is the little brother to the
Mammut Pulse. It still includes the core features of the Pulse, including
support for multiple burials, but it removes
one of the buttons and a few bells and whistles (e.g., toggling to analog mode
and the "floating" direction indicator)
to create an easy to use avalanche transceiver (and save you $140.00us).
Summary:
The Mammut Pulse Barryvox is a small, three-antenna,
avalanche transceiver with a long range. It offers both analog and digital modes,
supports marking of multiple burials, handles
spikes well, and has a floating
direction arrow that can indicate
minor changes in direction as well as point behind you if you are moving the
wrong direction. If the victim also has a Pulse transceiver (which has been
configured for use in the same region), it can tell you if the victim is alive
by sensing tiny movement (hence the name Pulse).
The
model number "F2" is a bit confusing, as the F2 was released before
the
F1 (i.e., in 1980 versus 1989). The naming scheme is based on the fact that
F2 operates on two frequencies. The F2 transmits and receives on both 457 kHz
(the current frequency) and 2.275 457 kHz. This allowed it locate both current
and ancient beacons. Learn more about frequencies here.
This now-discontinued beacon was a strong contender during its day, but the
wired earpiece is very awkward (the F2 does not have a speaker). The wire gets
stiff when cold, it is difficult to connect when wearing gloves, and it is difficult
to keep the earpiece in place (there is not a loop that goes behind your ear).
I would not want to be buried while my partner on the surface struggled with
the earpiece.
The F2 is rumored to suffer from frequency drift
which makes it more difficult for digital beacons to locate. (I only tested
the transmitting frequency of two units and both were fine.)
Given the transceiver's age, the awkward earphone, the fact that it does
not have a visual indication of signal strength, and the fact that I encountered
two failures when testing three units (a non-functioning earpiece and a unit
with a very short range), it is time to retire all F2s.
See the review of the
M2 for general information on Ortovox analog transceivers.
The
Ortovox F1 is Ortovox's single-antenna, pure-analog beacon. It was, and
continues to be, a very popular analog avalanche transceiver. The first F1,
released in 1989, was light blue and had no lights. In 1990 one light was added,
and in 1994, the beacon was renamed the F1 Focus and three lights were added
(red, yellow, and green). In 2002 the beacon was equipped with larger lights
and the case was changed to a darker blue. It was discontinued in 2012.
Although the F1 lacks the ease-of-use of a digital beacon (i.e., it does not
have distance or
direction indicators), it has
a long range, simple controls, and a small size. If you are willing to learn
how (or already know how) to use an analog beacon, the F1 is a solid avalanche
transceiver. This was my favorite beacon for many years. See the review of the
M2 for general information on Ortovox analog transceivers.
Note that newer digital transceivers will occasionally report multiple transmitters
(i.e., a "multiple burial") when
receiving a signal from a single F1. This seems to be most common with the Tracker2
and the Pieps DSP when receiving a signal from an older F1.
(The gray M2 is very similar to the
M1. It was first released in 1999 and the blue version was released in 2001.
Manufacturing of the M2 was discontinued in 2009.)
Summary: The M2 is a solid performing single-antenna beacon.
Searching: The long single antenna in the "M" series provides
a long range. However, as with all
single-antenna transceivers, you
(and not the transceiver) must interpret the
flux lines to locate the victim (versus
multiple antenna beacons that display a
direction indicator). Likewise,
single-antenna transceivers cannot compensate for spikes
(which you can compensate for with good probing).
Although I was a big fan of the Ortovox
single-antenna beacons for many years,
I personally feel that the advantages of multiple-antenna transceivers no longer
make single-antenna beacons the best choice for most users.
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Ortovox 3+
The M2 is primarily an analog beacon. The
audio signal is always analog
(the volume increases, but the tone and cadence remain constant). The digital
portion of the transceiver kicks in when you are within approximately 30 meters
(and the distance indicator
displays 40 meters). At this point the M2 displays the distance to the transmitting
beacon. Although the M2 does not have a
direction indicator that points
to the victim, an arrow on the M2's display darkens when it receives the
strongest signal (i.e., when it is aligned with a
flux line).
Controls: All analog Ortovox transceivers turn on via the harness:
when you put it on, it turns on. Most of the other transceivers turn on via
a switch. People familiar with the approach used on the analog Ortovox transceivers
have reported that they sometimes forget to turn on the manually-switched transceivers.
You know what they say about teaching those old dogs new tricks! Changing to
search mode is fairly intuitive.
Comfort: All of the Ortovox harnesses are comfortable. The M1 and
M2 are relatively large. The long banana-style allows for a long and effective,
albeit single, antenna.
Other: The Ortovox M1 and M2 were recalled
for a replacement battery door. If you have an M1 or M2, you should get the
new (free) door.
Summary:
The Ortovox X1 was released as a two-antenna
dual mode (analog and digital) transceiver in 2002.It
was later changed to a three-antenna
(still dual mode) transceiver and eventually became the
Patroller. I tested both the two- and three-antenna variations of the X1.
Per the comments in the Searching section (below), I find this transceiver unacceptable
(I tested four units).
Searching: The X1 begins in analog mode using a single antenna. The
distance indicator appears
when the transceiver senses a distance of approximately
40 m. The
direction indicators (lights)
do not appear until the distance displays
15 m. Unless you are skilled
at locating a victim without direction indicators, the lack of a direction display
until you are closer than 15 meters is too short. And if you are skilled at
getting within 15 meters of a victim without a direction indicator, then a
single-antenna Ortovox
F1,
M2, or
Freeride may be a better choice. Also, the directional indicator (three
lights) were slow to respond to searcher movement and jumpy (similar to the
Ortovox D3).
According to Ortovox, when the three-antenna version of the X1 is within
two meters of the victim, the lights turn off and the third antenna is enabled
similar to the
Ortovox D3. However, in my testing, the X1 (both two- and three-antenna)
was unable to accurately resolve spikes.
Although the X1's analog range is
very long, the fact that the direction indicators do not appear until 15 meters
(versus approximately 35 meters for the
Tracker DTS and 50 meters for the Pieps DSP,
Mammut Pulse, and
Tracker2), and the fact that even the three-antenna model cannot resolve
spikes, makes the X1, in my opinion, unacceptable.
Controls: The controls on the X1 are simple and easy to use.
Comfort: As with the other Ortovox transceivers, the harness is very
comfortable.
Other: In my testing the X1 handled frequency
drift poorly (I had to be within two meters of a transceiver that was transmitting
+200 Hz off frequency before the direction arrow was displayed).
Summary:
The Ortovox Patroller is a three-antenna
dual mode (analog and digital) transceiver that evolved
from the
Ortovox X1. In my testing, the unit did not suffer from the sluggish and
jumpy direction indicator problems
of the
Ortovox X1 and
Ortovox D3, but its direction indicator is limited (by design) to about
15 meters.
The Patroller will be discontinued in 2013.
You may also want to see the
Patroller
Digital review.
Searching: As with the
Ortovox X1, the Patroller begins in analog mode using a single antenna.
The distance indicator then
appears when the transceiver is approximately
40 m
from the transmitter. The direction indicator lights appear when the distance
is approximately 15 m.
The directional indicator then does and excellent job of guiding you to the
transmitter. This approach, using a single antenna until you are within 15 meters
and then displaying a directional indicator, is by design. Unfortunately, unless
you are skilled with an analog transceiver, the lack of a direction indicator
until you are 15 meters from the victim is simply too limiting.
When the Patroller is within two meters of the victim (2.1 meters, actually),
the direction indicator lights
turn off (a good thing).
As with the
Ortovox D3 (and unlike all other three-antenna
transceivers), the Patroller struggled to resolve spikes.
In my testing, the Patroller and D3 performed a little better than two antenna
transceivers at resolving spikes, but a careful
fine search repeatedly centered the
transceiver over the spikes rather than the victim.
Although the Patroller's analog range
is extremely long, the fact that the direction indicator does not appear until
15 meters (versus approximately 35 meters for the
Tracker2 and 50 meters for the Pieps DSP,
Mammut Pulse,
Ortovox S1), and the fact that even with three-antennas it does not accurately
resolve spikes, makes the Patroller a less than optimum choice for most people.
However, if you are skilled with an analog beacon, the long
reception range is very impressive .
Controls: The controls on the Patroller are simple and easy to use.
Comfort: As with the other Ortovox transceivers, the harness is very
comfortable.
Summary:
The Ortovox Patroller Digital is a three-antenna
dual mode (analog and digital) transceiver that evolved
from the
Ortovox
D3 (whereas the Patroller without the "Digital" is an analog/digital
transceiver that evolved from the
X1). I have not
tested the Patroller Digital.
The
Ortovox D3 is a three-antenna digital transceiver
(versus the
X1 and
Patroller which are dual mode analog and digital). It displays the
distance indicator and
direction indicator when it
first locks on to the transmitting beacon (at approximately 35 meters in my
testing).
As with the
Ortovox Patroller (and unlike all other
three-antenna transceivers), the D3
struggled to resolve spikes. In my testing, the Patroller
and D3 performed a little better than two antenna transceivers at resolving
spikes, but a careful fine search repeatedly
centered the transceiver over the spikes rather than the victim.
I tested four different D3s and in my testing the
direction indicator (as with
the
X1) was jumpy and sluggish (frequently slow to change the direction indicator
when 20+ meters from the victim).
Considering the jumpy direction indicator and the fact that this three-antenna
avalanche transceiver does not accurately resolve spikes,
I'm under-impressed.
Summary:
As with the Ortovox 3+, the Zoom+ is a small, three-antenna, avalanche
transceiver with a modest range that
includes the innovative transmitting
logic that can increase the distance at which other transceivers will
receive its signal. The Zoom+ does not support software updates.
The strength of the Zoom+ is in its
simplicity—there are only two controls: a dial to
turn it off and on, and an M2-like switch to change between transmitting and searching.
The Zoom+ follows the trend of the Pieps Tour and the Mammut Element in
seeking simplicity. As with the Tracker2, the Zoom+ does not support the
marking of multiple victims in its pursuit of
simplicity.
Summary:
The Ortovox 3+ is a small, three-antenna, avalanche
transceiver with a modest range. It
introduced innovative transmitting
logic that can increase the distance at which other transceivers will
receive its signal. The 3+ does an excellent job of suppressing
multiple burials and handles
spikes well. The no-nonsense display makes it easy
to locate the victim. The 3+ supports software
upgradesand
is the first transceiver to come in a choice of colors: green apple and phantom
black.
(A limited number of 3+ transceivers were recalled in late-2012.
Learn more here.)
Summary:
The Ortovox S1 has a unique flip-phone design where opening the transceiver
initiates search mode. The S1 displays information on a computer-like screen
and uses icon-based menus. To search for a victim, you follow a stick-figure
image of a victim on the screen (rather than using a traditional
directional indicator that
points to the victim).
The S1 has been replaced by the
S1+. If you have either the S1 or the S1+, be sure to
get the latest updates.
Summary: The Ortovox S1+ is the successor to the
Ortovox S1. Differences between the S1+ and S1 include:
The S1+ includes the "smart
antenna" technology that was first introduced in the
Ortovox 3+. This can improve the ability of other transceivers to locate
the S1+. The addition of the smart antenna resulted in a slightly longer
"y-axis" antenna which should, theoretically, allow for a slightly wider
search strip width than the basic
S1.
The number of batteries was reduced from 3 to 2. Ortovox tells me that
the removal of the battery resulted in a longer
reception range (due to a reduction of
interference).
The device has a rubberized coating that makes it easier to hold
with gloves.
The S1+ uses an accelerometer, rather than a compass, to sense
subtle changes in direction while searching.
The S1+ does not include a thermometer or navigation compass.
The S1+ cannot be switched to analog.
The menus have been redesigned to have fewer icons and be more
intuitive. (You can upgrade your S1 to
simplify the menus.)
In
electronic years the Pieps 1 is Precambrian. It transmits and receives on the
old 2.275 frequency, uses an easily bumped push
button to switch between transmit and receive, has an awkward earpiece, etc.
I'm thankful for the engineers who designed this, but if you own one, retire
it yesterday.
I
haven't tested this old workhorse. I expect that it performs similar to
the other analog beacons. This was originally released in 1991 and updated in
1998.
Summary:
The Pieps Backup is a one-of-a-kind device. Rather than transmitting all of
the time, the Backup only transmits a signal if it does not sense a nearby transmitter
and there isn't any significant motion. It's intended to be worn in addition
to an avalanche transceiver. If you get buried (i.e., no motion) and your
avalanche transceiver isn't transmitting (either because you were in search
mode when you were buried and your transceiver doesn't have an "auto-revert
to send" mode, or because your transceiver was damaged as you were strained
through the trees), the Backup will begin transmitting.
One of the selling pitches for the Backup is that it's an effective way to
replace the "revert to send" mode found in many transceivers. That
mode causes your transceiver to return to transmit mode if you are buried while
searching. The Ortovox 3+,
Ortovox S1, and the
Mammut Pulse have motion sensors that'll
revert based on time and motion. Most "revert to send" transceivers
revert based on time.
The Backup's battery will last 150 hours in dormant mode and one hour in
transmit mode. The single hour is plenty if you're going to be found alive,
but it's not very long for rescuers who might want to recover your body.
Please remember that this is a transmitter and not a transceiver. You can't
use the Backup to search for your partner.
Summary:
Released during the 2009/2010 season, the Pieps Checker is a tiny device that
you can use to test avalanche transceivers. It's primarily intended for
backcountry guides so they can test their client's beacons before heading
out in the morning (and maybe after lunch). It has a maximum range of 100 cm
(1 meter).
The
Pulse,
3+, and
S1 have a test mode similar to the Checker. The DSP has a frequency tester
that displays the accuracy of the transmitting beacon, but not its signal strength.
Summary:
The Pieps TX600 is a miniature transmitter for dogs and other equipment (like
that pricy sled) that might be buried by an avalanche, but which should never
interfere with the search for humans.
The TX600 transmits 1 kHz below the frequency
used by avalanche transceivers, so it will not be received when searching for
an avalanche transceiver. The Pieps DSP (with the
version 8.2 update), and the Pieps Vector, can be toggled into a special
mode where they will then search for this off-frequency signal.
Summary: The Freeride is a
single-antenna digital transceiver.
This is definitely the smallest avalanche transceiver (it is less than
half the size of the
Tracker DTS).
There are significant limitations with the Freeride. See the details
in the full review.
Summary:
The Pieps DSP has one of the longest ranges
of the digitals, it allows you to suppress a transceiver during a
multiple burial, its third
antenna is excellent at dealing with
spikes during deeper burials, it handles
frequency drift well, it has a simple user interface
(although the Pieps Tour is now even
easier),
and it can be upgraded via the earphone jack.
The
Pieps DSP Advanced included the same features as the
Pieps DSP plus it included a temperature display,
compass, and barometric altimeter. The Advanced was only released in the United
States and was discontinued in 2009.
Summary: The Pieps Tour is a near-twin to the popular Pieps
DSP, but it has one button (versus three on
the DSP) which creates an easier to use transceiver with a lower price tag.
Summary: The Pieps Vector combines a GPS with an avalanche
transceiver to create a totally new class of transceiver. Initially
announced in 2010 and delayed multiple times, the Vector was released in
Canada and Europe in late 2012 and is expected in the
USA soon.
The
sales information for the SOS F1-ND touted it as a digital beacon, but the only
thing digital about this beacon are the LED lights. The sales pitch also implies
you can follow the lights, but that is not true unless you know how to line-up
the transceiver with the flux lines.
Bottom line: this is a single-antenna
analog beacon.
Summary: Other than the "digital" marketing,
the SOS F1 is very similar to the
Ortovox F1.
Controls: The SOS turns on by twisting a 90° bayonet plug similar
to many of the Ortovox transceivers. You enable transmit or receive (search)
modes by moving a slide switch.
The
SOS-SB includes the same features as the SOS F1-ND (above)
plus it can locate an SOS "Bug Device" which is attached to skis,
a dog collar, a snowmobile, etc. You activate the "bug" search by
pressing a recessed button on the bottom of the beacon.
The
ARVAs are French transceivers that have not been widely distributed in USA.
The ARVA 9000 is an older model that was discontinued in 2001.
This
is the first, and now discontinued, Barryvox transceiver. It was commissioned
by the Swiss Army in 1968.
Summary:
The Barryvox VS 2000 Pro is an analog, single-antenna transceiver. It is available
with a 
Third,
the Ext includes a high-quality pair of Peltor headphones to help you hear the
signal.
Summary:
The Barryvox Opto 3000 is a dual mode transceiver that starts receiving in analog
mode and switches to digital mode as you near the victim. In addition to its
dual mode, it has the benefits of 
Summary:
The Tracker DTS from Backcountry Access (BCA) is a popular and easy to use beacon.
It set the standard as the first
Summary:
The Mammut Pulse Barryvox is a small, 
The
model number "F2" is a bit confusing, as the F2 was released before
the
The
Ortovox F1 is Ortovox's single-antenna, pure-analog beacon. It was, and
continues to be, a very popular analog avalanche transceiver. The first F1,
released in 1989, was light blue and had no lights. In 1990 one light was added,
and in 1994, the beacon was renamed the F1 Focus and three lights were added
(red, yellow, and green). In 2002 the beacon was equipped with larger lights
and the case was changed to a darker blue. It was discontinued in 2012. 
The
M1 was released in 1998 and discontinued in approximately 2000. See the review
of the
Summary:
The Ortovox X1 was released as a 
The
Pieps 2 was a significant improvement over the
I
haven't tested this old workhorse. I expect that it performs similar to
the other analog beacons. This was originally released in 1991 and updated in
1998.
The
sales information for the SOS F1-ND touted it as a digital beacon, but the only
thing digital about this beacon are the LED lights. The sales pitch also implies
you can follow the lights, but that is not true unless you know how to line-up
the transceiver with the 