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Thread: Which new beacon in 2020?
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09-02-2020, 04:06 PM #26Registered User
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brutah, any chance PIEPS put the rest of that presentation online?
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09-04-2020, 09:04 AM #27Registered User
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I wish, or if its online, I'm not sure where to find it. It was really eye-opening and the amount of research that PIEPS put into their beacon technology really put them ahead of others for me. I also like how easy it is to update your beacon via BT and the practice scenarios you can set up on your phone.
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09-04-2020, 09:53 AM #28
Thick cut preferably, applewood smoked if possible... mmmm b[e]acon
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09-05-2020, 03:18 PM #29Gel-powered Tech bindings
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I too would be interested in seeing the complete presentation, but ... this is kind of like when rival supermarkets claim the lowest prices, and each supermarket's analysis does indeed show the lowest prices.
The punchline of course (to the extent that economics jokes are ever even remotely funny) is that the two rival supermarkets are not pricing out the same bundle of goods.
Ditto for these in-house beacon assessments: each company puts together tests that play to the strengths of its models.
That said, Steve's ongoing testing:
https://beaconreviews.com/about.php
... puts even my prior obsessions to shame, and we both agree on the Pieps models.
We also both agree that the extra features of the Barryvox models are great for user who like, well, extra features!
ARVA models can be a bit different, in both good and bad ways. Evo5 is particularly nice if you're into a pocket carry. Although the Pieps Micro might have regained the lead with the new Button version -- neither of us has used that yet. (Very limited availability this past season.)
Hard to think of why to recommend an Ortovox model over the competition these days?
BCA is great for owners posting on-line about ease-of-use, a legacy from when the competition was analog, with no relevance today. Otherwise, T2 is really dated, and T3 tries to push a lot of functionality through a very minimalist user interface (though some users do like that). TS is a bit puzzling as the econo version of the T3 when the price delta is so small?Mo' skimo here: NE Rando Race Series
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09-05-2020, 10:46 PM #30
Your modesty is unjustified, Jonathan. We're truly grateful for your contributions.
... ThomGalibier Designcrafting technology in service of music
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09-05-2020, 11:20 PM #31
absolutely
Jonathon has been quietly killing it in the avalanche world for quite a whileLast edited by ~mikey b; 09-06-2020 at 05:35 PM.
I didn't believe in reincarnation when I was your age either.
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09-07-2020, 08:00 AM #32Banned
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Clearly Ortovox has some advertising/marketing clout. On the last hut trip I was on, every single guest had an Ortovox beacon except for me and one guy with a Tracker 2. I was under the impression that Ortovox has had a reputation as a mediocre brand for quite awhile now, but maybe not.
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09-07-2020, 08:34 AM #33Registered User
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Thanks Jonathan—appreciate you weighing in.
I went with Barryvox base model. Should arrive Wednesday when we’re forecasted to have snow on the ground. Just in time for some fun searches in the park.
I could see some of the pro versions features being quite useful if I was a daily using pro. But I’m not.
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09-07-2020, 10:05 AM #34Registered User
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especialy for you old fucks, make sure you can read the display,
my buddy bought the flip open model a few years back, he was wearing his glasses so it was ok in the shop but we get out in Rogers pass and he couldn't read the display wearing his contacts to ski ... gave the beacon to his kidLee Lau - xxx-er is the laziest Asian canuck I know
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09-07-2020, 10:39 AM #35
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09-07-2020, 01:06 PM #36
This has been something I've wondered about as well, and I haven't seen anything written about it.
I'm thinking bitmapped screen (Barryvox S) visibility in bright sunlight - how bright a cell phone screen needs to be in these lighting conditions.
Are there any issues with the "S" in this regard? The only reference point I have is a 13 year old Pieps DSP, which is fine.
... ThomGalibier Designcrafting technology in service of music
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09-07-2020, 01:56 PM #37Registered User
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I just took my Barryvox S out into the yard in sunlight that is about as bright as we get in the glademaster area. I didn’t have any trouble seeing what the screen was showing.
It works very much better than the Ortovox 3+ I got in 2011.
I tried the Arva with the flip-out antenna at the Alpental beacon park, and I didn’t think it worked any better than the 3+.U.P.: up
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09-09-2020, 04:43 PM #38Registered User
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Fresh batteries day always gets me stoked.
I think I bought this T3 from a mag a few years back. Met in dispensary parking lot across from my house, he was driving a rad previa with his GF in route to a show. Pretty sure the cash went straight to fun drugs.
Initial impressions:
- dead simple to use.
- More intuitive than a tracker3.
- 5 year warranty is dope.
- Group Check feature seems like a feature I and most recreational users will actually use on a regular basis.
- Whoever spec'd the plastic on the front I'd like words with. It's literally soft enough to be scratched by a poorly trimmed finger nail.
- I think a pretty hard plastic harness feels less nice than than nylon / soft harness of trackers I've used. Probably no difference in actual comfort though.
- Including batteries is always nice. As is not needing a little screw driver to open up the compartment.
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09-09-2020, 07:23 PM #39Galibier Designcrafting technology in service of music
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09-09-2020, 08:34 PM #40Registered User
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Not on my Barryvox. The front is def some sort of plastic. Literally scratched it with my fingernail. Odd design choice. Not sure it outweighs the positive.
EDIT: Nevermind. I'm a hella idiot. I pulled off the film for the warranty card. And there was another layer of film behind that that was so perfectly installed I didn't realize. Fuck insomina and trying to treat it with midday edibles.Last edited by doebedoe; 09-09-2020 at 09:13 PM.
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09-09-2020, 11:01 PM #41
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09-09-2020, 11:26 PM #42Galibier Designcrafting technology in service of music
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09-10-2020, 11:03 AM #43Registered User
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A lot of the folks you will meet on a hut trip are getting pretty old and who else has the money and time and maturity
same guy who couldn't read the display on I think it was the S1 asks me to read the hash marks on his adjustable ski poles, so I shot BD an e-mail to point out their focus group of customers are getting so old they can't read the writing on their products and they should design accordingly with big printing
I duno if they paid attention but now they knowLee Lau - xxx-er is the laziest Asian canuck I know
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10-12-2020, 10:02 AM #44Registered User
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CGKiX6FnesY/
Something to consider if you're buying a beacon in 2020. Pass over any DPS models. I've seen this failure in the field but we chalked it up to user error. It seems it's an all too common and potentially deadly error.
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10-12-2020, 10:23 AM #45Registered User
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A pragmatic study done in Canada many years ago is still accurate today - the best avy beacon is the one you have practiced, practiced and practiced with.
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10-12-2020, 10:44 AM #46Registered User
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10-12-2020, 11:53 AM #47
hm
I had a broken switch on old style but have not seen this.I didn't believe in reincarnation when I was your age either.
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10-12-2020, 01:36 PM #48
I've seen pics of broken switches on the newer BD versions. Hadn't heard about switch issues on previous models. Going to fiddle with mine soon...
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10-12-2020, 01:40 PM #49
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10-12-2020, 02:09 PM #50
Just futzed around with mine. I think it's extremely unlikely it could switch off accidentally. I'd like to know more though.
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