Avalanche Beacons (What model and +/-)

[dvarmit]

Well, I hate to say it but I don't have a beacon so I am going to head out and purchase two of them.

Were in the Anchorage, Valley area is the cheapest place to purchase them? I looking for the either the Back Country Tracker DTS or the Ortovox D3?

I have used and practiced with both of these beacons and while they don't have multiple burial I find them easy to use.

I do not want a sound only beacon. I find the location/direction pointer very helpful and makes locating the burial much easier for me.

I am not against purchasing online but would prefer to give me money to an Alaskan not someone sitting behind a desk in India. So, if you have some super cheap online site let me know.

Does anyone have a beacon that they would suggest looking at other than the ones listed here?

If this thread has a lot of replies it may be worth making it a sticky. I don't think there is a lot of information on what beacons are out there and what the +/- when they are used by the average snowmachiner.

So what beacon do you use and were did you get it?

[Mule]

I ride with a BCA Tracker... real easy to use, and one of the less expensive ones.

The tracker 2 looks nice, but I haven't played with one yet.

Got mine through SnowBigDeal on here, but he's out in my neck of the woods (CO).

[Alaskan_awd]

I would say skip the DTS and go for the Tracker 2, my dad and I are also getting beacons this week. The only 4 we are considering are the Tracker 2, the Ortovox S1, the Barryvox Pulse, and the Pieps DSP. Go here www.beaconreviews.com, click the scale at the top the in the first paragraph or so you should see a link for the Detailed Comparison Table.

The ones I listed all got a 5/5, the D3 only got a 2. The Tracker 2 looks to be an amazing beacon considering the price (if you can find one).

[BJblaster]

We use the DTS tracker. We got them as christmas presents. I believe my parents got them from AMDS. They were around 350 each i think.

[Alaskan_awd]

Since I can't find the Tracker 2 anywhere. (every one is out including online). I think I'm going to go with the Pieps DSP, it's regarded as one of if not the best, simple to use and is upgradable. You can get it here for $450 W/ free probe and shipping -$50 instant rebate, so $400 shipped with a probe is pretty good. http://www.snowbigdeal.com/servlet/t...-Beacon/Detail

[AK_ride]

I have the Pieps DSP and am extremely happy with it.

I was in the Avalanche Training a few weeks back and got to test my Pieps along side other people using different beacons. The simplistic use of the device, its longer range capabilities compared to some of the other units, and the ability to find multiple burials by muting signals from identified victims was very handy.

The downside that I found with the DSP was that it does routinely have a Phantom 'victim' show up on the display. When you put the device in 'receive' mode, it finds a signal and will often times show the one signal being two victims. It is no big deal, as the signal brings you right to the proper location. It just has two bodies showing up on the display screen instead of one.

[sprinkfitter]

Just ordered 2 Pieps DSP from Snowbigdeal with free probs.

[dvarmit]

I was looking at the tracker 2's and it says that it shows multiple burials. In looking at the unit I can't see how since it doesn't have an lead. The unit I played, the Ortovox S1, with that showed multiple burials had an LCD screen that showed a body for each signal.. Anybody know how this thing shows multiple burials without a screen? I see the indicator lights but those are for direction yes?

[Rubi]

I don't know if anyone else has had a bad experience with LCD screens, but my friends Barryvox broke the first time he used it. You can still use it on audio mode, but they won't warranty a broken screen for him.

[ripsass]

I use a DTS Tracker.
Only one I've ever had/used, works good. Batteries last a long time, automatically switches back to transmit from search in the event of a re-burial.

Easy to use, fool-proof, and I think they are around $275 now.