Avalanche Beacon Model Overview

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

An avalanche transceiver or, as it is also called, a beeper or a transceiver is a must-have device for those people who like to ride in the mountains off the track. This modern device partially ensures the safety of the skier. A beeper is designed to search for people under the snow during an avalanche and is an electronic radio device capable of both receiving and transmitting. There are quite a few models of such sensors on the modern market. Below we will consider which of them experienced skiers and tourists find the most convenient to use and accurate in terms of search.

According to what criteria do beepers usually choose

When buying an avalanche transceiver, first of all, you should pay attention to its following characteristics:

• working frequencies;
• battery hold time;
• number of antennas;
• range;
• number of marking targets (people under snow);
• identifier type.

Experienced tourists and skiers are advised to purchase devices of this variety,issued no later than 2003. How does an avalanche beacon work? In this case, radio waves are used to search for people. Older beeper models operated at a frequency of 2.275 MHz. They weighed a lot and were very difficult and awkward to use.

Instruments manufactured after 2003 operate at a frequency of 457 kHz. And this means that the reception and transmission of such devices are limited only by the range. You can find a person when using them under a layer of snow of any thickness. Also, modern devices have a processor designed to analyze and determine the exact location of the victim.

According to the type of identifier, all beepers (avalanche sensors) are divided into sound, remote (numbers on the display), indicating the direction (with arrows or LEDs on the screen). There are also combined options for such devices. Sound beepers detect the signal from the victim's transmitter faster than other varieties. Digital and directional devices are more convenient to use.

Best Beeper Models

Supply to the market such devices today, many manufacturers. The best beeper models for ski lovers are:

• Pieps DSP PRO;
• Pieps DSP Sport;
• Mammut Element Barryvox;
• ORTOVOX 3+;
• Pieps Freeride;
• ARVA NEO;
• BCA Trtaker.

Pieps DSP PRO Sensor

This model is equipped witha special fastening system that prevents the device from falling off the body during an avalanche. If desired, it can be customized "for yourself" by shortening or lengthening the straps. This beeper has three antennas. And this, in turn, allows you to determine the location of the victim as accurately as possible. The Pieps DSP PRO device can show the distance to the object and the direction to it from the first received signal. The search width of this beeper is as much as 60 m (without rotation). Also, the owner of the device can use the following functions:

• marking and scanning for target detection within a radius of 6, 20 and 50 m;
• search for damaged or old avalanche transceivers according to EN 300718;
• inclinometer motion sensor, etc.

Pieps DSP PRO reviews

Consumers have a very good opinion about this beeper. Outwardly, he looks a little flimsy. However, this impression is deceptive. In fact, the body of the device is quite strong and high quality. The same goes for the mode switch plate.

This beeper has a slightly curved shape. Therefore, it is quite comfortable to wear it, judging by the reviews. The advantages of this model, consumers include the fact that Panasonic batteries are supplied with it.

Pieps DSP Sport: description and reviews

This model, according to many consumers, is suitable for the vast majority of skiers. From the previous device Pieps DSP Sport differs mainly in design. The only thing is that the battery of this beeper does not hold a charge for so long - 200 hours (for PRO - 400 hours). The display on the Sport is almost the same as on the Pro.

The difference between the "Sport" and "Pro" models is also that the first one is manufactured at a plant located in Hungary, and the second one - in Austria. Reviews of the Sport model on the Web are almost as good as those of the Pro.

Mammut Element Barryvox Specifications

Find victims using this device as quickly as possible. Working with the Mammut Element Barryvox model, like with any other beeper, is possible in two modes: sending a signal and searching. Like the Pieps DSP avalanche transceiver, this device has three antennas.

You can switch modes on the Mammut Element Barryvox beeper with one move. Among other things, the model has the functions of marking the location of the victims and reversing the direction. It is convenient to work with this beeper even when wearing gloves. The battery of the transceiver is rated for 250 hours of transmission.

Consumer opinions about the Mammut Element Barryvox avalanche transceiver

The advantages of this beeper are primarily attributed by ski lovers to the fact that it absolutely does not interfere with movement. Also, many consumers find the Mammut Element Barryvox to have a very convenient switch location. Ski lovers refer to the advantages of this avalanche sensor and the presence of a huge number of additional functions. For example, using this device, you can determine the pulse of the victim.

ORTOVOX3+: Description

This model also enjoys well-deserved popularity among consumers. It searches for the most powerful signal automatically. This makes the search for victims as fast as possible. The display of the ORTOVOX 3+ model displays information not only about the direction and distance, but also about the number of people under the snow. This beeper has three antennas. The search mode when using ORTOVOX 3+, like almost all modern models, is accompanied by sound notifications. The device also has a motion sensor. That is, the beeper, among other things, ensures the safety of the owner in case of a repeated avalanche. The range of this device is 40 meters.

ORTOVOX 3+ Beeper Reviews

The opinion about ORTOVOX sensors among consumers is not as good as about the same Pieps DSP. However, these relatively inexpensive devices are well-deservedly popular among skiers. The advantages of sensors from this manufacturer include, first of all, the fact that they allow you to find victims quite quickly. Also, the advantage of ORTOVOX 3+ beepers is ease of use. An arrow is displayed on the monitor of these devices, indicating the location of the avalanche victim. When approaching the victim at a distance of about 3 meters, a cross appears on the screen.

Also, many consumers attribute the high degree of protection of the case from water to the advantages of this device. Look for people under the snow using this device, judging by the reviews,convenient even at night. The display of the ORTOVOX 3+ is backlit.

ARVA NEO description

Beepers of this brand are produced by the French company ARVA. Like most other models, this beeper is equipped with three antennas at once. It is simply impossible to put on this device without first turning it on for transmission. Thus, the manufacturer provides additional safety for skiers. After all, many, going off-piste, simply forget to turn on the transceiver. The battery of this beeper is designed to work without recharging in signal transmission mode for 250 hours. The range of the budget avalanche beacon ARVA NEO is greater than that of ORTOVOX 3+ - 60 m.

Reviews about ARVA NEO beepers

The advantages of beepers of this brand are primarily ergonomic and easy to use. A quick search for people is also facilitated by the presence of a backlight on the screen, as well as a user-friendly interface. Some drawback of the model, judging by the reviews, is that the labeling function does not always work correctly for it. However, these problems do not appear too often.

Beeper BCA Trtaker

The range of this device, according to the manufacturer, is 61 m. The BCA Trtaker model is manufactured in the USA. On the light panel of this device, among other things, the azimuth is also displayed. The device also shows the distance to the transmitter.

The weight of the BCA Trtaker with batteries is only 385 grams. This beeper has only two antennas. In transmission modethe device can work 250 hours.

BCA Trtaker: consumer reviews

This avalanche transceiver is also very user friendly for most skiers. However, there are conflicting reviews about its reliability on the Web. This mainly concerns the accuracy of the search. For example, a mobile phone lying next to the victim can have a rather strong effect on the device.

Pieps Freeride sensors: description and reviews

Models from this manufacturer, in comparison with those described above, have one important advantage. They cost about twice as much. The Pieps Freeride device weighs only 110 grams with a battery. This beeper has one antenna. In transmission mode, it can work 250 hours. The range of the device is 30 m.

The advantages of this transceiver are primarily its very small dimensions. The dimensions of the Pieps Freeride avalanche transceiver are about the same as those of a conventional cell phone. Despite the low cost, this device allows you to search for several targets at once. For this, it, of course, also deserved good reviews from consumers. Such models allow you to simultaneously find several people, which allows you to minimize the number of victims of the tragedy.

Instead of a conclusion

In addition to the usual beepers, there are also passive ones on sale today. They cannot respond to any signals on their own. As an example of suchDevices can bring Recco avalanche beacon. This device is simply sewn into the skier's clothing. Search if necessary in this case is carried out using a special portable station Recco. The latter can feel the device sewn into the clothes at a rather large distance. Passive beacons are not used to increase the chances of survival in the event of an avalanche. They are mainly used to search for the bodies of the dead. This is explained primarily by the limited number of search stations. And it's not always easy to bring such a bulky device to the scene of a tragedy quickly.