Avalanche transceiver choices

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 TobyA 23 Feb 2019

I think I need to buy a new transceiver as I've just booked flights north for Easter. My own one is an antique yellow analogue Pieps from 2001 or so, so in the last 6 years or so when I've had chance to go on ski touring trips I've borrowed slightly more up to date digital ones.

I was just looking at Telemark Pyrenees's selection so was wondering if I should get one of the cheapest ones (Ortovox Zoom+ or Arva Evo4) or should I be willing to spend more? Basically what for an occasional user are the disadvantages of the simpler (well, at least, less expensive) models?

 Frank R. 23 Feb 2019
In reply to TobyA:

Apart from the specialised features I might be unlikely to use, I quite like the ability to use Lithium batteries in my Barryvox S. No chance of leakage, better capacity and better performance in the cold (not much of an issue in send mode, as it should be plenty warm underneath your layers anyway, but could be helpful in search, when it's outside and exposed).

I think some 2019 Pieps/Black Diamond models have the ability to use them as well (you should never use lithiums in a transceiever that does not support them, since their voltage and discharge curve are quite different from alkalines).

Post edited at 19:27
 Floquet 23 Feb 2019
In reply to TobyA:

For most occasional users (and most of us are occasional users), simplicity and intuitive use probably outweigh other technical considerations.

I've had three DTS trackers (the old 2 antenna models) and the Peips DSP sport (triple antenna and a little better for multiple burials with its mark function), and both have been fine in practice situations. 

Get a triple antenna model, and whatever you buy, practice with it (easier said than done if you only have one). Knowing how  to use it is the most important thing. 

 Frank R. 23 Feb 2019
In reply to TobyA:

btw, you can find a nice comparison of most of the current models here:

https://beaconreviews.com/transceiver_reviews.php

I would agree with Floquet, intuitive use (and rehearsal, but you probably have that cornered, as seems from your post) is a must.

On one training, we had one user with (older) transceiver, that exhibited a slight problem in the field. The switch from search to send was so easy to move that once they started probing and digging, just stuffing their transceiver under the jacket in the heat of the moment caused it to revert to send a few times, causing quite some confusion among the other searchers. I don’t remember the make and model, though, apart from it being one of the older 3 antenna types. Just makes a point about ease of use and real world testing...

Post edited at 21:22
OP TobyA 23 Feb 2019
In reply to Frank R.:

Thanks for the link - will get reading. They have my old one there https://beaconreviews.com/Specs_Pieps457.php 1 out 5 stars! "Although it does transmit on the 457 kHz frequency, it is ancient and should be retired." So, yeah, guess I need to get a new one!

 Frank R. 23 Feb 2019
In reply to TobyA:

That is pretty “old fart” transciever, indeed! (no disrespect meant )

Post edited at 23:08
 HeMa 24 Feb 2019
In reply to TobyA:

just get a newer mid-priced Pieps. They work, have reasonable prices, and are quite intuitiivisena to use.

OP TobyA 24 Feb 2019
In reply to HeMa:

I've spent all my pocket money on the flights up! But at least on TeleP the cheapest Pieps is over 100 quid more than the cheaper Ortovox and Arva, but obviously other places I need to go to look at range and prices.

Cheers.

 Dave 24 Feb 2019
In reply to TobyA:

Mammut Barryvox. Not S version.

 Frank R. 24 Feb 2019
In reply to Dave:

Why not the S version? Apart from the price increase, of course... Just curious. I like my S

 Dave 25 Feb 2019
In reply to Frank R.:

As I understand it, its a great beacon. Just more expensive for those on a budget and perhaps with features somebody using it a week or so a year would struggle to remember how to use effectively. I'm in a somewhat similar situation with Mammut's previous generation of beacons. I have a Pulse, and others in the family the Element. I struggle to use the advanced features of the Pulse and in a real search situation would probably only use it in basic mode, which is like the cheaper Element. I should make more effort each year to remind myself of the more advanced features I suppose.

 Frank R. 25 Feb 2019
In reply to Dave:

Ah, that's certainly true - most of the features you pay the premium for the S/Pulse over the non-S/Element are pretty advanced, and could be actually confusing for normal users (fortunately, you can opt-out of them as well). I am probably in the same situation as you I got the S over the non-S mainly for the lithium batteries compatibility (and a nice deal on it helped), knowing well enough that I would probably not use most of the more advanced features... Both are pretty great transceievers.

 Frank R. 25 Feb 2019
In reply to TobyA:

100 quid difference for the cheapest Ortovox over the cheapest Pieps seems quite a lot - especially since Pieps was recently acquired by Black Diamond, you should be still able to find the Pieps-branded DSP Sport (which the newer Powder BT is based on, with the addition of bluetooth for user upgrades and a few tweaks) for cheaper. Actually, Snowsafe seem to have it for 209 quid, which could be a nice deal.

The Ortovox Zoom+ does not support firmware upgrades (I think) and only has a very basic display, you get what you pay for...

You should be able to find a good deal if you look around, good luck!

In reply to TobyA:

Just wanted to add some feed back with the older peeps modele (sports etc),

a friend of mine has one and he has broken the small plastic attachment that holds the transceiver to the elastic and harness, he now puts it in his pocket which is ok but a bit of a pain.

Also another friend has the model up from the sport and he broke the slider locker for locking it into the different modes, so it would stay in each mode, in the end gaff tape saved the day, but not great.

cheers

 kevin stephens 25 Feb 2019
In reply to ecrinscollective:

My Mammut pulse packed in so I borrowed better half’s cheaper Mammut ( the green one). I’ve been doing search drills with it today and it seems far harder and time consuming finding and following a signal when searching. I’ll be replacing mine with the pulse equivalent 

Post edited at 17:34

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