Fall 2008 where is BCA Tracker 2?

[ectreeskier11]

i've been told the tracker 2 will run about a hundo more than the tracker. saw it in action the other day, processes with every move and is pretty damn slick. still going to be one of the cheaper beacons out there, i would say it's worth the wait but i'm also and avy JONG and went with the tracker for my first year out here.

[Jonathan S.]

Mine arrives tomorrow. (According to UPS, it is currently in . . . Kentucky.)

Next week I hope to have an update to my earlier preview:
http://www.wildsnow.com/1605/backcou...beacon-review/
... along with updates on the latest firmware for the Ortovox S1 and Barryvox Pulse.

A few etailers are already listing the Tracker 2 at $335 to $340.
By contrast, the very similar Ortovox D3 has a typical retail of $315.
I was about to write that this leaves a really big gap between those beacons and the signal separation competition, but then I found a heavily discounted DSP:
http://gear.camping.com/item/pieps-d...mitter/C11791/
... although at typical $450, that still a big gap.

My hunch is that the original Tracker will get discounted to the lowest sale prices I've seen over the past few years, i.e., a bit over $200.

[Jonathan S.]

The Tracker 2 has arrived – or at least, *a* Tracker 2 has arrived at my house.

Initial impressions:

- About half an ounce light than the original, a wee bit shorter length, about the same volume overall, but housing is nicely cut away in the center to allow for enhanced grip. (I don’t have the harness – this unit is still officially marked as a Demo model and is for now owned by BCA, not me.)

- The pull-out tab for switching into Search has just the right amount of resistance. The tab is easy to grasp for switching into Search. (The design concept is very similar to the Arva Evolution/A.D.vanced/3 Axes models, but a bit better executed in my opinion.)

- Search tab is mechanically blocked from being pulled out while beacon is Off, and power switch is mechancially blocked from being turned Off while beacon is in Search.

- The beacon will beep if kept in Search for more than 30 minutes or if kept in Transmit for more than 8 hours.

- Fine search phase seems perfect: elimination of all nulls/spikes, distance indicators down to 0.0, and directional indicators shutting down at a point to be determined. (My unit shuts down its directional indicators consistently at a certain distance display, but that distance has yet to be determined for the final production version, as mine is still a demo. In general, keeping on the directional indicators into the fine search phase has its pluses and minuse – the competition ranges from 2.0 to 3.0, with the Pulse offering a 3.0 default and a 0.3 option.)

- Testing for accuracy of multiple-burial indicator light is ongoing.

- Range test is pending.

- Testing for any increase in processing speed is pending.

Details to be published in upcoming WildSnow.com blog.

[Hacksaw]

The guys at Bentgate told me today that the Tracker 2 won't be out until sometime in January...

[MrDirt]

BCA is now shipping Tracker 2's.

http://backcountryaccess.com/blog/?p=866

I hope to get my hands on one soon!

[earlyreturns]

It's out. Purchased one today - $335

[StopMakingSense]

Available now at Backcountry.com

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorge.../BCA0081M.html

[IrieRon]

trigger pulled!

[Driver]

Great looking Beacon, waiting for the full review here and on BeaconReviews.com. I'm a Pieps guy but this looks nice.

[summit]

Unless you NEED a beacon RIGHT NOW, there's no reason to buy the Tracker 2 with the Ortovox 3+ coming out.

[IrieRon]

Different strokes for different folks. I've used my old Tracker for like 10 years and got it dialed, so I'm stoked for the Tracker 2. But I admit I'm not a search and rescue or patroller so I understand my needs and wants for a beacon might differ from otherses.

[adrenalated]

IMO, the Tracker 2 is hands down the easiest to use beacon for finding a single burial.

My only concern is the range. I haven't seen any published numbers for range. I'm going to test the Tracker 2 vs. a Pieps DSP tomorrow and see what the maximun range is like.

The Tracker 2 processes/updates noticeably faster when near a beacon than the Pieps DSP does.

[Driver]

I've seen readings on my DSP of 70-80 meter range during simulated searches, though I think the posted max is 50-60.

[Sirshredalot]

Unless you NEED a beacon RIGHT NOW, there's no reason to buy the Tracker 2 with the Ortovox 3+ coming out.

I think the 3+ will likely be my next beacon.

[adrenalated]

IMO, the Tracker 2 is hands down the easiest to use beacon for finding a single burial.

My only concern is the range. I haven't seen any published numbers for range. I'm going to test the Tracker 2 vs. a Pieps DSP tomorrow and see what the maximun range is like.

The Tracker 2 processes/updates noticeably faster when near a beacon than the Pieps DSP does.

I lost signal with a Tracker 2 at 38m today. This was in downtown Denver with all sorts of interference and walls and shit in the way, so it probably wasn't really a fair test. I usually see my Pieps make it to at least 50m before it loses a signal.

An improvement over the regular Tracker regardless.

[summit]

Different strokes for different folks. I've used my old Tracker for like 10 years and got it dialed, so I'm stoked for the Tracker 2. But I admit I'm not a search and rescue or patroller so I understand my needs and wants for a beacon might differ from otherses.

I'm speaking for the general user market that the Tracker panders to. All these people are going to want the 3+

[whyturn]

Got mine today. Will test it next week. Seems lighter and a little more durable. Harness is simpler and more compact. Time will tell about range and review later

[IrieRon]

I'm speaking for the general user market that the Tracker panders to. All these people are going to want the 3+

Maybe so, but then again I've heard that about pretty much every single new beacon that has come out in the last few years. Especially from the reps

I've liked my Tracker and bought the Tracker 2 because you'll find me in the keep it simple stupid herd.

The simpler the transceiver is to use, the better. Extra functions such as the pulse detection with the Mammut and it is our opinion the probe switch with the Pieps may detract from the primary goal of rescuing the buried person.

http://www.skicanadamag.com/Features...nsceivers.html

[summit]

Maybe so, but then again I've heard that about pretty much every single new beacon that has come out in the last few years. Especially from the reps

I've liked my Tracker and bought the Tracker 2 because you'll find me in the keep it simple stupid herd.


http://www.skicanadamag.com/Features...nsceivers.html

I'm not a rep. And the 3+ doesn't have pulse detection or a probe plug or any extra doohikies for the user.

It has arrows and a distance readout just like a tracker, it's just going to do it faster, better, lighter, smaller, and easier than the Tracker 2 and it is going to make it easier for OTHERS to find YOU faster and easier.

[IrieRon]

Sounds great. Have you used it? Or just repeating what the reps told you?