One of the most important pieces of equipment for freerider skiers, ski touring and snowshoeing is without a doubt an avalanche beacon. In combination with shovel and probe, it is an essential for rescueing companions and usually represents the only real chance of survival in an avalanche burial. For decades, the principle has remained unchanged: When turned on in the transmit mode, the beacon emits a pulsing signal, and when switched to receive it will pick up the transmitting pulse of another beacon(s), to quickly locate the buried transmitting beacon and the person wearing it, The signal is sent in what is called a flux line, which is a curved pattern on both sides of the unit field lines to the victim. Not too long ago, the search team would be led by a series of loud beeps, the current beacon models however now signal quite intuitively with arrows on the digital display.
- Avalanche beacons: Current state of the art
- Overview of avalanche safety beacons currently on the market: Arva | BCA | Mammut | Ortovox | Pieps
- Conclusion: What type of beacon do I need?
- What’s available in 2016/17: The big comparison
Current state of the art: The avalanche beacon today
Almost all current avalanche beacon devices have three digital antennas. This allows better pinpointing and the third antenna greatly reduces, or eliminates, spikes (where the beacon mistakenly points to a location a meter or two from the victim). In addition, intuitiveness is increased and leads to getting to the buried, faster. The fine positioning has been greatly improved, and a marking function can also save a lot of time in multiple burials.
Most manufacturers currently offer top models, which in addition to standard features may also offer other special functions – for example, an analog mode, an inclinometer or a separate group check function. With standard models, the manufacturer often forgoes these additional functions; the standard functions usually suffice however for virtually all multiple burial scenarios. Somewhat scaled-down versions, that are often designed with simple features are also available. These simple models apply to the less frequent user or younger people and more often than not they are distributed for use within alpine schools. They are aimed primarily at the quickest possible locating of an individual buried in an area of limited size.
Even with the technology available, one should still not forget, that the best safety remedy in the mountains, is not to get caught in an avalanche in the first place. Risk management requires knowledge that is acquired mainly through training and experience and to be fitted in avalanche terrain with compulsory equipment such as an avalanche device.
Overview of current avalanche beacons
Arva
The Arva avalanche beacons function reliably and provide an attractive price-performance ratio.
- Axio
The Axio Beacon is Arva’s most advanced avalanche beacon designed for avid backcountry skiers.The Axio’s three antennas work simultaneously to provide a faster, smarter route search and the third antenna folds out of the beacon’s housing to maximize its reception, reducing wandering along curved flux lines, and improves multi-burial identifications.There’s a motion detector that will switch the beacon’s search mode back to transmitting if you go still all of a sudden and a group check feature helps you check your partners’ beacons in advance, before heading out to avalanche terrain.
- Neo
The Arva Neo is actually placed a category below the Pro W, although it only has marginally less features. Thanks to two equally powerful antennas, even a 60m search strip width can be deployed and the standby function can also be activated. Comparing the Neo to the Pro W, the only thing setting them apart is the analog mode.
- Evo 4
is a reliable and robust avalanche transceiver at a very reasonable price. It offers all relevant functions and it only falls short of higher ranking models due to its recommended search strip width of 40 meters.
BCA
After the Tracker 2 was no longer 100 percent up to date, the makers of the digital avalanche beacon, BCA, released a new top model – the Tracker 3. With its performance and abundant functions, it needn’t shy away from its competitors.
- Tracker 3
The Tracker 3 is the new top model from BCA. Smaller and lighter than its predecessor the Tracker 3 is now equipped with a well-functioning marking function, scoring top points with a faster response time and ease of use.
- Tracker 2
The classic Tracker 2 is easy to use and responds quickly, The special mode for multiple burials, however, takes a bit of getting used to. The lack of marking function doesn’t help. This shows a weakness in the Tracker 2 response in regard to multiple burials. Individual burials on the other hand can be found quickly and reliably.
Mammut
Mammut offers an outstanding avalanche safety device with the Barryvox Pulse, that comes with most of the extra functions. The trimmed-down version however, – the Barryvox Element, is a device that is especially good for beginners.
- Barryvox Pulse
The Mammut Barryvox Pulse offers many features, such as automatic switching from search to transmit mode when the avalanche transceiver has not moved for a longer period, an analog mode and a special group check mode. In addition, it is possible to configure the Mammut beacon to an individual profile. Not only professionals have all the options!
- Barryvox Element
Even the “small” Element impresses with ease of use and good performance. The favourable price makes the avalanche beacon attractive for non-professional users compared to its big brother.
Ortovox
All avalanche beacons by Ortovox have the “smart antenna” technology – that automatically switches to the best transmission antenna. A revert to transmit function is also available – e.g if the 3+ is in receive mode for two minutes without any motion (e.g., if a searcher is buried while searching), it will automatically revert to transmit mode.
- S1+
Ortovox’s professional avalanche safety device directs in search mode intuitively and quickly to its object, particularly the patented display makes sense during a fine search. It has a display of all victims, a partner check feature, an integrated RECCO reflector and a slope inclinometer and can also be adapted to the personal needs of the user.
- 3+
The 3+ is the “Default device” from Ortovox and actually offers everything you need. As with the S1+, the 3+ is also fitted out with a partner check function and a RECCO reflector.
- Zoom+
The Zoom is an intuitive avalanche beacon, that is particulary good at finding single burials quickly. Due to lack of marking function the resolution of scenarios with multiple burials is only possible with the three-circle method.
Pieps
Pieps have always held their own when it comes to avalanche safety devices and the powerful DSP and DSP Pro Ice beacons are no exception. One feature is that the Pieps beacon is compatible with the Pieps electronic avalanche I Probe. Here, the transmission mode of the I Probe suppresses the Pieps device, which can be helpful in case of a multiple burial situation.
- DSP Pro / DSP Pro Ice
The Pieps Pro and DSP Pro Ice are technically identical, the only difference is that the DSP Ice has a transparent case. Both devices have not only a very high range, but also provide numerous additional functions which include the transmission frequency of other avalanche safety devices to be checked, an inclinometer and a Auto-Search-to-Send function switches the DSP PRO ICE automatically from SEARCH into SEND-mode when the beacon is not moving for a certain time (in case of burial). In addition, the signal from a Pieps TX600 (a Pieps device that transmits on a different frequency and is designed for dogs) can be received.
- DSP Sport
For those not in need of the extra functions, should look closer at the DSP Sport. It provides all basic functions, works very well and is relatively low priced.
- Micro
With the new Micro, Pieps introduces an innovative avalanche beacone, which replaces the BCA Tracker as the smallest and lightest three-antenna device. In contrast to the DSP Pro, it is not aimed at “professional” users (such as mountain guides, mountain rescue, etc.), but is designed to be more simple and intuitive. It has the usual standard functions as well as the strong Y-antenna one associates with Pieps. The Micro also automatically switches from search mode to send mode when the device is unpacked (and not via a switch, as is the case with other devices). An automatic switch goes from search mode to transmit if the safety device is not moved for longer than one minute. More features include, the Micro has a “vibration alarm”, which is triggered during the first reception in the signal search. So you do not have to look permanently at the display. At the ISPO 2017, Pieps announced a software update via app, which will increase the range of the Micro to 50 meters. The update will be available from autumn 2017, in time for the start of the season.
Conclusion: What type of beacon do I need?
A three-antenna device with marking function can be seen nowadays as technical standard and a prerequisite for anyone who’s active in snowy mountain terrain. Whether it’s a device with the various extra functions that you need, or whether a slimmed-down version that just about every manufacturer has on offer, suffices, it’s a personal choice. The “smaller” beacons fall more into the category of large guided group requirements.
Which manufacturer model you choose, is entirely a personal choice. The best solution is to sample various devices and to see which one is the speediest in its search. Not forgetting body comfort while wearing or carrying the device can also play a role in the decision. Reading our Buyer’s Guides to avalanche beacons may also help.
Remember: The best avalanche beacon available will only help, if it is put to practice again and again!
Avalanche beacon overview: 2016/2017 models and how they compare
| Manufacturer | Product | Antenna | Weight | Recommended search strip width | Additional functions / remarks | Price in EUR |
| Arva | Axio | 3 | 230g | 60m | Automatic switching from search to transmit mode after a prolonged standstill | 349.00 |
| Neo | 3 | 230g | 60m | Automatic switching from search to transmit mode after a prolonged standstill | 279.95 | |
| Evo 4 | 3 | 220g | 40m | 199.95 | ||
| BCA | Tracker 3 | 3 | 250g | 50m | 299.95 | |
| Tracker 2 | 3 | 255g | 50m | No marker function | 249.95 | |
| Mammut | Barryvox Pulse | 3 | 210g | 50m | Automatic switching from search to transmit mode after a prolonged standstill, Analog mode | 379.95 |
| Barryvox Element | 3 | 210g | 50m | 289.95 | ||
| Ortovox | S1+ | 3 | 230g | 50m | Inclinometer, automatic switching from search to transmit mode after a prolonged standstill | 379.95 |
| 3+ | 3 | 210g | 40m | automatic switching from search to transmit mode after a prolonged standstill | 279.95 | |
| Zoom+ | 3 | 200g | 40m | Automatic switching from search to transmit mode after a prolonged standstill, no marker function | 199.95 | |
| Pieps | DSP Pro / DSP Pro Ice | 3 | 198g | 60m | Inclinometer, automatic switching from search to transmit mode after a prolonged standstill, can receive the TX600 signal | 349.95 / 399.95 |
| DSP Sport | 3 | 198g | 50m | 249.95 | ||
| Micro | 3 | 150g | 40m | Automatisches Umschalten vom Such- in den Sendemodus bei längerem Stillstand, Vibration bei Erstempfang während der Suche, compatible mit the Pieps-App | 350.00 |
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