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Best beacon for Noobz

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ggfski42
Posts: 651 - Karma: 700
Hello all! So my friends have finally convinced me to drop vail resorts and to start touring. Ive been doimg some research on beacons and im a little overwhelmed. What are your favorite models\brands? What features do you really enjoy\hate? Im assuming that simplicity is key when it comes to a noob like myself. I plan on getting geared up this summer so I can have it all ready when I take my avy 1 course next winter, so if something new is coming out soon i have some time to wait.

Thanks!!!
Apr 15 2015 8:54AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
First of all, practice, practice, practice; no matter how user friendly and intuitive your beacon is, there's no substitute for practice. But if this is your first beacon, I'd recommend the Mammut Element Barryvox, unlike other 'entry level' beacons it has a visual interface that gives distance and 360 degree directional cues. The multiburial function is also one of the best multiburial modes on an entry level model and is incredibly simple to use.
Apr 15 2015 3:44PM
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Drail
Posts: 14033 - Karma: 10,205
VD.First of all, practice, practice, practice; no matter how user friendly and intuitive your beacon is, there's no substitute for practice. But if this is your first beacon, I'd recommend the Mammut Element Barryvox, unlike other 'entry level' beacons it has a visual interface that gives distance and 360 degree directional cues. The multiburial function is also one of the best multiburial modes on an entry level model and is incredibly simple to use.


Agreed, but I personally wouldn't call it 'entry level'. Don't really think the term is accurate. The element is more than fine even for the experienced tourer who has been out there for years. I have a few friends that have the pulse (high end beacon) and they never use all the features.

Get the element and you'll be good for at least 5 years (with normal use and if there are no defects)
Apr 15 2015 4:31PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
DrailAgreed, but I personally wouldn't call it 'entry level'. Don't really think the term is accurate.


True, I think 'approachable' might have been a better word for it.
Apr 15 2015 4:34PM
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ggfski42
Posts: 651 - Karma: 700
Awesome, thanks for the advice yall. +K
Apr 16 2015 10:34AM
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ggfski42
Posts: 651 - Karma: 700
I really like the features included with the mammut, it has great reviews as well. I just had one last question. I see a ton of people using some version of BCA beacons. But when i talk to "pros" they say that they dont trust them. What the story here?
Apr 16 2015 10:41AM
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Drail
Posts: 14033 - Karma: 10,205
Sorry to say, but whoever you were talking to is(are) an idiot. I have been using BCA since I started and I just upgraded to the Tracker 2 with never an issue.

Pretty much every cat and heli operation I know of in BC uses BCA Tracker 2 or 3 beacons, as do half of the people I go out touring with.



These 'pro's you speak of. Are they by chance sponsored by BCA's competition? Generally, you should probably take anything and everything a pro says about gear with a grain of salt... their job is to be a walking, talking billboard.
Apr 16 2015 12:07PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
The BCA beacons are pretty foolproof, but it still comes down to knowing how to use whatever you have well enough to be competent under stress.
Apr 16 2015 4:34PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,681
I'm not sponsored by any of the companies but I think the Pieps DSP pro is the best beacon out there right now.
Good range, easy to use, best flagging feature.

coming from a long time BCA user. The Tracker 2 is the simplest one to use however.
Apr 16 2015 6:05PM
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Drail
Posts: 14033 - Karma: 10,205
I mean. There are no shitty three antenea beacons out there so it comes down to preference. As long as you don't buy an old analog beacon off your dads friend from back in the day you can't really go wrong.
Apr 16 2015 7:50PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2835 - Karma: 5,534
Always buy brand new, never used.
Apr 16 2015 9:11PM
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Idahoskier420
Posts: 719 - Karma: 86
Don't settle for anything less then a three antenea beacon. Don't worry about the extra features (multi-burial marking).


I've owned an Orthovox 3+ for six years and my only complaint is a sketchy hinge on the battery door. I've practiced with all the major three antenea brands and the only difference is how you turn them on!

It doesn't matter what brand of beacon you have, the important part is knowing how to use it and practicing.

On a slightly related note, buy a 300 cm probe.
Apr 22 2015 12:11PM
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bnewbs6
Posts: 1919 - Karma: 1,463
I've got an Arva Neo and its incredibly simple. To switch from send to search mode is just one switch. and there is only one other button on the whole thing and its the flagging feature. Its also got one of the longer ranges. Its not as easy to change settings and such, but I have honestly never need to mess with my settings anyways. You should check it out
May 1 2015 3:29AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 52033 - Karma: 167,188
threads
May 2 2015 1:54AM
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