Ortovox Transceivers - M2 or X1???

[splat]

Anyone have experience with or opinions on these two?
Comparative analyses most appreciated.
M2 has more features for the well-practiced and appears to have similar features to DTS Tracker. Need some experienced opinions on this, as I'm trying to do a deal that would put some transceivers in the hands of maggots at the best price out there.

[Odin]

M2 - Use 2 years

Also Used - DTS Tracker, Ortovox F1

Review:

As compared to the Tracker (which it gets compared to alot) I find that I like the M2 a touch better. While the tracker is certainly easier to use at first touch it tends to seem to get confused very quickly. The m2 reacts like a rapier to the signal, and seems to home in on signals better imho.

Also even though I know some people argue that it is moot, I like the extra distance on the M2 vs the Tracker. Battery life is good, and the LED display for battery life is even better, rather than the old colored light blink system.

The harness I could give or take, I have become used to it, but it does seem that for the skinny lad that their tends to be some slack. Although I couldn't forsee it being a problem with any beacon, I haven't had any durability problems with mine either.

I also love my f1 analog though which I still have as my backup/second beacon.

[tywhy]

i like the M2 a lot. no experience with an F1 though. I have no complaints with the m2 at all. seems like a good one to get out to the masses, easy to operate and understand.

[Spamhelmet]

there was some recall issues on X 1.
go to telemarktips.com, there in the avalanche discussion thingy
was some talk about it.

[Spats]

I have used: M2, F1, Barryvox, Tracker.

I like the Barryvox best, by far.

But if I had to choose an Ortovox, it would be the M2. I wasn't as fast with it as with the dual-antenna beacons, but I was much faster than with the F1. I've heard too many scary things about the X1 to trust it (search telemarktips.com).

My opinion:

-If you're really good with your analog beacon and don't want to change your search style, get the M2. It's basically an F1 with a distance meter.

-Everyone else should probably get the Barryvox. It's got lots of great features, like being able to set it for digital distance/direction display with analog audio, and it's so small that you won't ever hesitate to turn it on and carry it with you, even inbounds.

-If you want a completely idiotproof beacon to give to friends that never practice, get a Tracker.

[Dr. Crash]

Originally posted by Spats
If you want a completely idiotproof beacon to give to friends that never practice, get a Tracker.

Why not a Barryvox? It is as idiot-proof as a Tracker IMHO. The one thing I'd do with mine is switch it back from dA to pure d mode so that the friend doesn't switch between d and A accidentaly but that's all. If yours is in d mode already (default) then just hand it off.


drC