Komperdell???

[irul&ublo]

Sierra Trading Post has what seems to be a pretty good deal on a Komperedell probe and shovel. As a BC JONG, let me ask if anyone has a comment on the equipment.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/base_no.71585/dept_id./est./qx/product.htm

[dblatto]

go on Evogear, they have a BCA shovel with interior probe for $45, which is an unbelievable deal.

[irul&ublo]

go on Evogear, they have a BCA shovel with interior probe for $45, which is an unbelievable deal.

I saw that. Some of the BC saavy were saying the probe is worthless. Why is that, length?

[lemon boy]

Too bad you missed out on the voile pack w/shovel and probe at REI.com :(

No opinion on the shovel but I do have one of the komper probes and like it, doesn't seem like I spent all that much on it but whatever...I do like the tightening mechanism way less fiddle factor (IMVHO) than some of the other systems.

I don't have an opinion on the BCA deal other than the fact that you generally want the probe separate from the shovel...speeding the amount of time it takes to get into action...fiddle factor again.

[Core Shot]

I saw that. Some of the BC saavy were saying the probe is worthless. Why is that, length?

That and the fact that storing the probe in the handle can be problematic in an actual emergency. The storage problem is solved by not storing the probe in the handle.
The length issue is hard to solve - 180cm is pretty short by most standards. Even 240 is not ideal.

280cm or 320cm is more better.

[AltaPowderDaze]

go on Evogear, they have a BCA shovel with interior probe for $45, which is an unbelievable deal.


i don't know which one you're talking about but they had a similar package for $45-50 a couple years back. did they raise the retail?


also, go to a store and check out assembly time and quality of the probe. you may end up having to upgrade the probe because of length and flexibility.


fyi, taking apart and reassymbling a shovel with cold hands/under stress can lead to problems. if you happen to lose the clip, your shovel would be worthless.

edit: you guys are too fast for me.

[dblatto]

all the BC guys were saying the probe that is stored in the handle of the BCA shovel was poor quality and that it would break down in an actual rescue scenario. It sounds like BCA kind of threw it in there to make the package seem like a better deal, but ultimately the probe's a cursory piece of equipment.

[Buzzworthy]

Irul

I got a Komperdell 260mm probe from Sierra earlier in the year. Have practiced with it and like the design.

Feels good to me and I did check out a variety at stores.

[nesta]

The length issue is hard to solve - 180cm is pretty short by most standards. Even 240 is not ideal.

280cm or 320cm is more better.
Hmmmm
How many survivors at that depth that weren't buried inside buildings have you heard of? Even if you probe them seconds after the avalanche stopped, consider how long it will take to shovel 2m + of avalanche debris without large grain scoop shovels. I hate to be cynical...but
I would say for companion rescue 2.3 or 2.4 is sufficient.
That said, i have a 2.3 and a 3.2

[AltaPowderDaze]

Hmmmm
How many survivors at that depth that weren't buried inside buildings have you heard of? Even if you probe them seconds after the avalanche stopped, consider how long it will take to shovel 2m + of avalanche debris without large grain scoop shovels. I hate to be cynical...but
I would say for companion rescue 2.3 or 2.4 is sufficient.
That said, i have a 2.3 and a 3.2


one of the 20 threads about this topic floating around t-tips and couloir:
http://www.telemarktalk.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=14748

i see vast reasonings for carrying a longer probe but i only hear weight and packability issues from the short stick camp.

[nesta]

Thanks for that thread APD. Hopefully it will be informative for irulublo. Like I said i carry both, weight of 2 probes insignificant in my mind, but that's because I have to dog search with an assembled probe, and that is a hassle with a 3.2. If the dog indicates and I can't hit the victim with 2.3, I would pull out the 3.2 as a back-up
So I'll take that back, go with the longer probe for companion rescue, the weight savings are negligible.