An avalanche sensor or, as it is also called, a beeper or a transceiver is a device simply necessary for those people who like to ride in the mountains off the track. This modern device partially ensures the safety of the skier. The beeper is designed to search for people under the snow during an avalanche and is an electronic radio device that can work both in reception and transmission. There are quite a lot of models of such sensors on the modern market. Below we consider which experienced skiers and tourists consider the most convenient to use and accurate in terms of search.
What are the criteria for choosing a beeper?
When buying an avalanche sensor, you should first pay attention to such characteristics of it:
Experienced tourists and skiers are advised to purchase devices of this variety, released no later than 2003. After all, how does an avalanche sensor work? In this case, radio waves are used to search for people. Older beeper models worked at 2.275 MHz. They weighed a lot and were very complicated and inconvenient to use.
Devices released after 2003 operate at a frequency of 457 kHz. And this means that the reception and transmission of such devices is limited only by the range. You can find a person when using them under a layer of snow of any thickness. Also, modern devices have a processor designed to analyze and determine the exact location of the victim.
By type of identifier, all beeper (avalanche sensors) are divided into sound, remote (digits on the display) indicating the direction (with arrows or LEDs on the screen). There are also combined variants of such devices. Sound beeper detects the signal from the victim's transmitter faster than other varieties. Digital and indicating device directions are more convenient to use.
The best beeper models
Many manufacturers supply similar devices to the market today. The best models of beeper among ski lovers are:
Pieps DSP PRO;
Pieps DSP Sport;
Mammut Element Barryvox;
ORTOVOX 3+;
P ieps F reeride;
ARVA NEO;
BCA Trtaker.
Pieps DSP PRO Sensor
This model is equipped with a special fastening system that eliminates the breakdown of the device from the body during an avalanche. If desired, it can be configured "for yourself" by shortening or lengthening the belts. This beeper has three antennas. And this, in turn, allows you to determine the location of the victim as accurately as possible. The Pieps DSP PRO can display the distance to the object and the direction to it from the first received signal. The width of the search for this beeper is as much as 60 m (without rotation). Also, the owner of the device can use the following functions:
marking and scanning to detect targets within a radius of 6, 20 and 50 m;
search for damaged or old avalanche sensors of standard EN 300718;
Pieps DSP PRO reviews
Consumers have a very good opinion about this beeper. Outwardly, he looks somewhat flimsy. However, the impression is misleading. In fact, the case of the device is pretty strong and high-quality. The same goes for the mode dial.
This beeper has a slightly curved shape. Therefore, wearing it, judging by the reviews, is quite convenient. The advantages of this model are also attributed to the fact that Panasonic batteries are supplied with it.
Pieps DSP Sport: description and reviews
This model, according to many consumers, is suitable for the vast majority of ski lovers. From the previous device, Pieps DSP Sport differs mainly in design only. The only thing with this beeper is the battery does not last so long - 200 hours (with PRO - 400 hours). The display of the Sport is almost the same as that of the Pro.
The difference between the Sport and Pro models is also that the former is manufactured at an enterprise located in Hungary, and the latter in Austria. Reviews about the Sport model on the Web are almost as good as about the Pro.
Mammut Element Barryvox: Features
Find victims using this device as quickly as possible. Working with the Mammut Element Barryvox model, as with any other beeper, is possible in two modes: sending a signal and searching. Like the Pieps DSP avalanche sensor, this device is a three-antenna.
You can switch modes on the Mammut Element Barryvox beeper in one go. Among other things, the model has the functions of marking the location of victims and reversing directions. It is convenient to work with this beeper even when wearing gloves. The transceiver battery is designed for 250 hours in transmission mode.
Consumer opinion on the avalanche sensor Mammut Element Barryvox
The ski lovers include the advantages of this beeper in the first place is that it absolutely does not interfere with movement. Also, many consumers find the Mammut Element Barryvox a very convenient switch location. Ski lovers relate to the advantages of this avalanche sensor and the presence of a huge number of additional features. For example, using this device you can determine the pulse of the victim.
ORTOVOX 3+: description
This model also enjoys well-deserved popularity among consumers. She searches for the most powerful signal automatically. This makes finding victims as quick as possible. The display of the ORTOVOX 3+ model displays information not only about the direction and distance, but also about the number of people under the snow. There are three antennas for this beeper. Search mode when using ORTOVOX 3+, like almost all modern models, is accompanied by sound alerts. The device also has a motion sensor. That is, the beeper, among other things, ensures the safety of the owner in case of repeated avalanche. The range of this device is 40 meters.
Reviews about ORTOVOX 3+ beeper
Consumers' opinions about ORTOVOX sensors are not as good as those of the same Pieps DSP. However, these relatively inexpensive devices are quite popular among skiers. The pluses of sensors from this manufacturer include primarily the fact that they allow you to find victims quite quickly. Also, the advantage of ORTOVOX 3+ beeper is considered to be ease of use. An arrow is displayed on the monitor of these instruments indicating the location of the avalanche victim. When approaching the victim at a distance of about 3 meters, a cross appears on the screen.
Also, the advantages of this device, many consumers attribute a high degree of protection of the housing from water. Searching for people under the snow using this device, judging by the reviews, is convenient, including at night. The display of the ORTOVOX 3+ is equipped with a backlight.
ARVA NEO: Description
Beeper of this brand are produced by the French company ARVA. Like most other models, this beeper is equipped with three antennas at once. It is simply impossible to put on this device without first turning it on for transmission. Thus, the manufacturer provides additional safety for skiers. After all, many, going off the road, simply forget to turn on the transceiver. The battery of this beeper is designed to work without recharging in signal transmission mode for 250 hours. The range of the ARVA NEO budget avalanche sensor is longer than that of the ORTOVOX 3+ - 60 m.
Beeper reviews ARVA NEO
The advantages of beeper of this brand, consumers include primarily ergonomics and ease of use. The quick search for people is facilitated by the presence of backlighting on the screen, as well as a convenient interface. Judging by the reviews, a certain drawback of the model is that the marking function does not always work correctly for it. However, such problems do not appear too often.
Beeper BCA Trtaker
The range of this device, according to the manufacturer, is 61 m. A BCA Trtaker model is being manufactured in the USA. The light display of this device displays, among other things, the azimuth. The device also shows the distance to the transmitter.
The weight of the BCA Trtaker with batteries is only 385 grams. There are only two antennas for this beeper. In transmission mode, the device can work for 250 hours.
BCA Trtaker: Consumer Reviews
This avalanche sensor, most skiers find the device also very convenient to use. However, there are conflicting reviews about its reliability on the Web. This mainly concerns the accuracy of the search. For example, a mobile phone lying next to the victim can have a pretty strong effect on the device.
Pieps Freeride sensors: description and reviews
M models from this manufacturer, in comparison with those described above, have one important advantage. They cost about half the price. The P ieps F reeride weighs just 110 grams with the battery. The antenna for this beeper is provided for one. In transmission mode, it can work 250 hours. The range of the device is 30 m.
To the advantages of this transceiver, skiers primarily attribute its very small dimensions. Dimensions at the Pieps Freeride Avalanche Sensor about the same as a regular cell phone. Despite the low cost, this device allows you to search for several targets at once. For this, it, of course, also earned good consumer reviews. Such models allow you to simultaneously find several people, which allows you to minimize the number of victims of the tragedy.
Instead of a conclusion
In addition to conventional beeper, passive ones exist on sale today. They cannot independently respond to any signals. An example of such a device is the Recco avalanche sensor. This device is simply sewn into the skier’s clothes. Search, if necessary, in this case is carried out using a special portable station Recco. The latter can feel the appliance sewn into clothes at a fairly large distance. Passive beacons are not used to increase the chances of escape in the event of an avalanche. They are used mainly only to search for the bodies of the dead. This is due primarily to a limited number of search stations. And to bring such a bulky device to the place of the tragedy quickly turns out far from always.