Almost all Black Diamond and Pieps avalanche transceivers were recalled in 2022. You can test your transceiver without sending it back to the manufacture. Read the details here.
Summary: The Powder/Recon transceivers are updated versions of the Pieps DSP Sport transceiver. The DSP Sport is still being manufactured and sold, but the Powder/Recon costs only $20 more than the Sport.
The Powder/Recon are less feature-packed (and less expensive) versions of the Pieps Pro BT/Black Diamond Guide BT transceivers.
Naming Confusion: The Pieps Powder BT avalanche transceiver is identical to the Black Diamond Recon BT (Black Diamond has owned the Pieps company since 2012). The only differences are the colors: the Pieps Powder has a translucent blue case with a yellow switch and the Black Diamond Recon has a charcoal case with a dark blue switch. This website refers to these as the "Powder/Recon" transceivers.
Quick Review
The Powder/Recon transceivers are updated versions of the
Pieps DSP Sport. The five-star rating is based on extensive testing of the Pieps Sport and on limited testing of the Powder/Recon.
The
transceiver comparison does have a column for the Powder/Recon.
Summary
The following are some of the enhancements to both the Pro/Guide BT and Powder/Recon BT transceivers compared to the Pieps DSP Sport and Pieps DSP Pro transceivers:
The review of the Pro/Guide BT lists the additional enhancements to those transceivers.
The Pieps Powder BT and Black Diamond Recon BT have excellent search ranges, simple user interfaces, and are easy to update. They are an excellent choice for both new and experienced backcountry travelers.
Steve's temporary debugging: brand and model are Pieps/BD and Powder/Recon.
Model: | Powder/Recon |
Manufacture: | Pieps/BD |
Retail Price: | $339.95 |
Score: | ![]() |
Type: | Digital |
Antennas: | 3 |
Marking: | Yes |
Updateable: | Yes |
Owner's Manual: | Read It |
Pros: Great range, simple controls, easy updates, excellent perpendicular reception range. | |
Cons: Nothing significant. |