BCA Tracker 2 or Pieps DSP Tour ? (which should I get?)

[FrostedFlakes]

What's going on Guys,

I've been Looking to purchase one of these and I wanted to know if anyone here has had any experience with them. I'm fairly new to the back-country so I want something fairly easy to use. Yes, I do plan on attending a course and practicing, but regardless I want something user friendly that's very reliable, and light. I've looked around a-lot and these seem to be the best two options in the price range.

I'm basically looking to see if anyone knows of any issues with these items, so I can make a good purchase.

Thanks,

[saxon]

They're both great beacons. You'll find a lot of comments about them on here if you use the search.

[FrostedFlakes]

They're both great beacons. You'll find a lot of comments about them on here if you use the search.

I did, that's actually the problem.. I saw many posts saying that Pieps can suffer from interference. I did not see that much on the Tracker 2 as far as issues, so I wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything because I'm leaning in the direction of the tracker 2. However, I've found better deals on the Pieps..I just want to have something reliable that's all.. and I ski with my Iphone for music so I'm watching out for issues with that..

thanks

[saxon]

Ok, I use the Tracker2 and I like it. The Pieps DSP users always show me up when practicing multiple burials but I still manage, and I'm not really that concerned about multiple burials actually happening. I don't know if the DSP Tour can detect the TX600 transmitters (for dog collars), but if it can then that would definitely push me in that direction if I didn't already have a beacon.

I've only read briefly about the interference problems with the DSP's but I'm not convinced they really matter (maybe this is mostly because I don't have one). It's never been an issue for those I've practiced with.

[Z]

But when actually skiing lines in the back country, you won't have your ipod blasting so it won't matter. Right?

[FrostedFlakes]

thanks Saxon..


Z, actually I usually ski with a boombox on my shoulders, this way the bass will trigger any AVI before I get in the danger zone..lol

But when actually skiing lines in the back country, you won't have your ipod blasting so it won't matter. Right?

kidding bombox is way too heavy to hike with... it's an iphone not an ipod..I do listen to music when I ski in resorts at times but mainly I use it for GPS tracking so I see stats later..that's what I was referring to.

[Sparky]

BCA every time for me

[Z]

thanks Saxon..


Z, actually I usually ski with a boombox on my shoulders, this way the bass will trigger any AVI before I get in the danger zone..lol



kidding bombox is way too heavy to hike with... it's an iphone not an ipod..I do listen to music when I ski in resorts at times but mainly I use it for GPS tracking so I see stats later..that's what I was referring to.

Totally. I just felt like being "that guy" for some reason. Tests are showinig however that smartphones can interfere with beacon signals. 30cms away is the word on the street for Iphones and such. I personally think that you should carry your cell phone, but have it off entirely until you have to use it. Why take the chance.

[reidhresko]

I have personally seen smartphones interfere with beacon reception and send them all kinds of wacky. I also have a pieps iProbe and that thing goes crazy when in close proximity to a smartphone, but is an amazing overlooked piece of gear when used properly (i.e. with phones off).

I have a few buddies who are heli-guides and backcountry professionals and each of them swears the Pieps DSP is the fastest, most reliable beacon on the market. With practice, these guys are finding 3 beacons in 90 seconds. fast. I have had a bunch of different beacons and, hands down, the pieps is the best in my opinion --- for advanced users.

BUT, for ease of use if you are new to using beacons, I would also say that I have seen more people, who are not very practiced with beacons, successfully use the Tracker than the DSP. So, if you want an easy no-brainer beacon to learn what you are doing, the Tracker may be a better call. Once you have a beacon skill level that facilitates you using all the bells and whistles that make the DSP faster, then it might be time to think about switching.

[Z]

I have personally seen smartphones interfere with beacon reception and send them all kinds of wacky. I also have a pieps iProbe and that thing goes crazy when in close proximity to a smartphone, but is an amazing overlooked piece of gear when used properly (i.e. with phones off).

I have a few buddies who are heli-guides and backcountry professionals and each of them swears the Pieps DSP is the fastest, most reliable beacon on the market. With practice, these guys are finding 3 beacons in 90 seconds. fast. I have had a bunch of different beacons and, hands down, the pieps is the best in my opinion --- for advanced users.

BUT, for ease of use if you are new to using beacons, I would also say that I have seen more people, who are not very practiced with beacons, successfully use the Tracker than the DSP. So, if you want an easy no-brainer beacon to learn what you are doing, the Tracker may be a better call. Once you have a beacon skill level that facilitates you using all the bells and whistles that make the DSP faster, then it might be time to think about switching.

Good info here^^. Trackers are easy to use, and the new tracker with the 3 antennae is fast and simple. I have a pieps and find that the mark function works flawlessly with 2 beacons, but with 3 or more things can get a bit wonky, and you may need to erase your flagging and go to microstrip search to pick up another signal. This seems true with all the new beacons out there, 3 or more burials and the flagging function can start to experience some overlap and may take you back to a signal already flagged. The DSP is cool because the SCAN feature will erase everything flagged, and basically start new. My worry is with the tour version not having that feature, how would you deal with that situation? Obviously turning the beacon on and off will start over, but with a pieps that takes some time.

With practice, I've been impressed by the Mammut pulse beacons and the fact that you can jump over to Analog mode if you encounter this situation. This obviously takes some practice and knowledge of how analog beacons function.

Like reid said above, the tracker is a great first beacon, and seeing as you never want to be in the situation of finding 2 or more beacons, seems like a good option. Just some stuff to think about on that pieps tour version...

[FrostedFlakes]

niiice, this is exactly the type of information I was looking for. I think I'm going to go with the Pieps, I'm a very technical person so use of the device should not be a problem for me. I also looked at the ortovox 3+, but some of the stories I've read do not sound too good..

the 30cm thing is interesting..I wonder how many Skiers even think about that..very good info..thank you all

[couloirman]

I too am in the market for a couple new beacons-- accidentally left the batteries in mine over the summer and had a bunch of acid leak out in them. Oh well.

Which DSP model do you like then if the DSP tour sucks for multi baurials? Was going to get a tracker 2 but the Pieps DSP Smart transmitter seems nice as well. Is this the model with the better flagging feature? I havent looked at new beacons in probably 5-6 years so Im kind of out of the loop in this realm.

[skifishbum]

I like the dsp and never been a huge tracker fan.
liberty mountain had a OR show special on the tour $175
I do like the contrast on screen of the tracker 2 vrs the marmot or peeps.
The tour is fine on a multiple you can just go back to send takes as long as the scan function imo
I've had problems w/ the dsp flagging older models you learn to work around it.
Been playing with a orto s1+ loaner nice beacon if accidentally closed on search reverts to send and needs to reacquire, but a nice feature in a secondary/hang fire slide sit.

[Meadow Skipper]

The Tracker2 is IMO a nice beacon for a loaner or for someone that never practices. It's simple to use, maybe too simple. There's no masking feature for multiple burials, which may or may not matter to you, but you can get more features for essentially the same $$. I use an Ortovox 3+.

[Z]

So as skifishbum said. The pieps tour can unflag beacons by switching to search and then back over to search then starting new. The DSP advanced/smart does so by a separate button in search mode-scan. It will scan the area and tell you how many burials in 5m, 20m, 50m. Can be helpful in some situations...Just seems important to know that the flag feature with multiple burials is not fool-proof.

[blackcatskis]

I love my Tracker 2and it's a particularly good beacon for someone who's new to the backcountry game. I too have heard about the interference problem with the Pieps and that's personally a chance I wouldn't want to take. That's definitely not a Tracker 2 issue! I have several buddies who are guides in Alaska who are Tracker users which speaks a lot! I'd definitely go Tracker 2!

[Arty50]

Just a reminder regarding iPhones, iPods, and other electronic devices. Turn them all off when you're beeping. It's not just a Pieps issue.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...highlight=ipod

[BFD]

hacksaw posted this awhile back. his post didn't see much traffic. I think it is a pretty good review
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Avalanche-Beacon-Reviews

[Driver]

Both have 3 antennas and are widely trusted. I have the DSP and prefer it but you can't go wrong.

If you're new, I would spend more time working on snow safety, beacon use / rescue sims, and route finding skills than worrying about becon tech.

[neck beard]

Peips: the higher end DSP is fantastic and has a reputation that it deserves. The less featured Tour model is looking good, so long as it genuinely does perform to the same level as the DSP in terms of basic functionality (range, processing speed, flagging etc).

The Peips Tour is significantly smaller than the Tracker 2, which looks like a child's toy from Mattel and about the size of something Darth Vader would have attached to his chest when in it's harness. It is 2012: compact should be standard these days. Backcountry and bulky? No thanks.

Peips also has a much better receive range in my comparisons.

Both are good tools in the hand of a person well trained and familiar with the personality of their own beacon.

Been playing with a orto s1+ loaner nice beacon if accidentally closed on search reverts to send and needs to reacquire

This is a PITA as the S1 is a large thing when folded open. There are a number of situations where a user may need to quickly fold it and shove it in their pocket during a search (getting first aid or other gear out of a pack, during shoveling etc) rather than leave it dangling between their legs. This may be happening during a fine search stage of companion rescue, or in a multiple burial scenario. Suddenly you have an additional signal from a rescuer. Not good.

Overall, Peips* and Mammut/Barryvox continue to impress as market leaders in my limited opinion. BCA and Ortovox are behind the pack. Have not had a chance to work the new Arva unit.

*with one exception: never buy a Peips Freeride if you plan on using it in a search. I have 7 of them and feel dirty and guilty just trying to sell them to some uninformed dude trying to save cash.

[AfroMullet]

i don't understand how everybody thinks trackers are good for people who don't practice...

you should practice equally with ANY beacon. that means practice lots!

[Jonathan S.]

Just a reminder regarding iPhones, iPods, and other electronic devices. Turn them all off when you're beeping. It's not just a Pieps issue.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...highlight=ipod

Agreed!
Although I suspect all the comments about the Pieps being particular prone to interference are confusing interference with magnetic effects upon the switch. The DSP switch looks mechanical, but it's actually magnetic. So if you put a refrigerator magnet almost immediately adjacent to the beacon, that will cause it to switch modes. (As for whether that matters, just be sure to keep the beacon away from some Motorola professional-level radios that have some sort of magnetic effect, as well as some gloves that use magnets to keep them together when not in use. Ditto for jackets with magnetic clasps, but I haven't been able to test any of those.)