Avalanche Sensor: a review of models

An avalanche sensor or, as it is also called, a beeper or 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. A beeper is used to search for people under snow when an avalanche is descending and is an electronic radio device capable of operating both on reception and transmission. There are quite a lot of models of such sensors in the modern market. Below, let us consider which of them experienced skiers and tourists consider the most convenient to use and accurate in terms of search.

By what criteria usually choose a beeper

When buying an avalanche sensor in the first place, you should pay attention to its characteristics:

• Operating frequencies;

• Battery hold time;

• Number of antennas;

• radius of action;

• Number of marking purposes (people under snow);

• Type of identifier.

Experienced tourists and skiers are advised to purchase devices of this variety, issued no later than 2003. After all, how does the avalanche sensor work? To find people in this case, radio waves are used. Older beeper models operated at a frequency of 2.275 MHz. They hung up a lot and were very complicated and uncomfortable to use.

Instruments issued 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 of action. Find a person when using them can be 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 (numbers on the display) indicating the direction (with arrows or LEDs on the screen). There are also combined versions of such devices. Sound beeper detect the signal from the victim's transmitter faster than other varieties. Digital and directional directions of the device are more convenient to use.

The best models of beeper

Many manufacturers are supplying such devices to the market today. The best models of beers for fans of mountain skiing are:

• Pieps DSP PRO;

• Pieps DSP Sport;

• Mammut Element Barryvox;

• ORTOVOX 3+;

• ieps F reeride; P ieps F reeride;

• ARVA NEO;

• BCA Trtaker.

Pieps DSP Pro Sensor

This model is equipped with a special fastening system, which excludes the device from disrupting the body when the avalanche descends. If desired, it can be adjusted "for yourself" by shortening or extending the straps. There are as many as three antennas for this beeper. And this, in turn, allows you to determine the location of the victim as accurately as possible. The Pieps DSP PRO can show the distance to the object and the direction to it from the first received signal. The search width of this beeper is as much as 60 m (without rotation). Also, the owner of the device can use the following functions:

• Marking and scanning for target detection within a radius of 6, 20 and 50 m;

• Search for damaged or old avalanche sensors of standard EN 300718;

• An inclinometer motion sensor, etc.

Pieps DSP PRO Reviews

Opinion about this bipere in consumers has developed very well. Outwardly, he looks somewhat flimsy. However, the impression is deceptive. In fact, the case of the device is quite strong and high-quality. The same goes for the mode switch plate.

The shape of this beeper is slightly arched. Therefore, wearing it, judging by the reviews, it is quite convenient. To the pluses of this model, consumers also include 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 absolute majority of fans of mountain skiing. From the previous device Pieps DSP Sport differs mainly only in design. The only thing is, this beeper battery does not hold a charge for as long as 200 hours (the PRO has 400 hours). The display of the Sport device is almost the same as that of the Pro.

The difference between the "Sport" and "Pro" models is also the fact that the first is manufactured in an enterprise located in Hungary, and the second one in Austria. Reviews about the model "Sport" on the web are almost as good as about "Pro".

Mammut Element Barryvox: Features

Find the victims using this device can be as quickly as possible. Working with the Mammut Element Barryvox, as with any other beeper, is possible in two modes: sending a signal and searching. Like the avalanche sensor Pieps DSP, this device is three-antenna.

Switch modes on the beater Mammut Element Barryvox in one go. Among other things, the model has the functions of marking the location of the victims and the reverse direction. Work with this beeper is convenient including gloves. The battery of the transceiver is designed for 250 hours in the transmission mode.

Consumer opinion about the avalanche sensor Mammut Element Barryvox

To the pluses of this beeper, ski lovers relate in the first place that it does not interfere with the movement at all. Also, many consumers believe that the Mammut Element Barryvox features a very convenient switch location. Ski lovers are referred to the pluses of this avalanche sensor and the presence of a huge number of additional functions. For example, using this device you can determine the pulse of the victim.

ORTOVOX 3+: description

This model also enjoys a well-deserved popularity among consumers. The most powerful signal it searches automatically. This makes the search for victims as fast as possible. The display model ORTOVOX 3+ 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. The search mode when using ORTOVOX 3+, like almost all modern models, is accompanied by sound alerts. Also in the design of the device is a motion sensor. That is, the beeper, among other things, ensures the safety of the owner in the event of a recurring avalanche. The range of this device is 40 meters.

Feedback on the ORPEROVOX 3+

The opinion about ORTOVOX sensors from consumers was not as good as about the same Pieps DSP. However, these relatively inexpensive devices are used by skiers quite well-deserved popularity. The pluses of sensors from this manufacturer are, first of all, the fact that they allow finding victims quite quickly. Also, the convenience of ORTOVOX 3+ bipers is convenience in use. On the monitor of these devices, an arrow is displayed, 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, to the merits of this device, many consumers consider the high degree of protection of the housing from water. Look for people under the snow with the use of this device, judging by the reviews, it is convenient even at night. The ORTOVOX 3+ display is backlit.

ARVA NEO: description

Beeper of this brand is produced by the French company ARVA. Like most other models, this beeper is equipped with just three antennas. To put on this device, without having included it on transfer, on itself it is simply impossible. Thus, the manufacturer provides additional safety for skiers. After all, many, going to ride not on the road, simply forget to turn on the transceiver. The battery of this beeper is designed to work without recharging in the signal transmission mode for 250 hours. The range of action of the budget avalanche sensor ARVA NEO is greater than that of ORTOVOX 3+ - 60 m.

Reviews about beers ARVA NEO

To the benefits of beers of this brand, consumers consider first of all ergonomics and convenience in use. Quick search for people is facilitated by the presence of backlight on the screen, as well as a user-friendly interface. Some drawback of the model, judging by the reviews, is that the marking function does not always work correctly. However, such problems do not appear all too often.

Beeper BCA Trtaker

The range of this device, according to the manufacturer, is 61 m. The model BCA Trtaker is manufactured in the USA. On the light board of this device, the azimuth is displayed, among other things. The device also shows the distance to the transmitter.

Weight of the device BCA Trtaker, along with batteries is only 385 grams. There are only two antennas for this beeper. In the transfer mode, the device can operate for 250 hours.

BCA Trtaker: customer reviews

This avalanche sensor is considered by most skiers as very convenient to use. However, there are conflicting reviews about its reliability on the Web. Basically it concerns the accuracy of the search. For example, a mobile phone lying next to the victim can have a very strong influence on the device.

Pieps Freeride sensors: description and reviews

одели от этого производителя, в сравнении с описанными выше, имеют одно немаловажное преимущество. Made from this manufacturer, in comparison with those described above, have one important advantage. They cost about two times cheaper. ieps F reeride всего 110 грамм вместе с батарейкой. Weigh the device P ieps F reeride only 110 grams together with the battery. The antenna for this beeper is provided by one. In the transfer mode, it can work 250 hours. The range of the device is 30 m.

The advantages of this transceiver skiers include, first of all, its very small overall dimensions. лавинного датчика Pieps Freeride Dimensions of the avalanche sensor Pieps Freeride обычного сотового телефона. About the same as a normal cell phone. Despite the low cost, this device allows you to search several targets at once. For this, of course, it also received good feedback from consumers. Such models allow you to simultaneously find several people, which allows you to minimize the number of victims of the tragedy.

Instead of concluding

In addition to conventional beers, there are also passive ones on sale today. Independently on any signals they can not react. лавинный датчик Recco. An example of such a device is the Avalanche sensor Recco. This device is simply sewn into the skier's clothing. The search, if necessary, in this case is carried out using a special portable station Recco. The latter can feel the appliance sewn into the clothes at a rather large distance. Passive beacons are not used to improve the chances of escape in case of an avalanche. They are used mainly to search for the bodies of the deceased. This is due primarily to the limited number of search stations. Yes, and bring such a cumbersome device to the place of the tragedy quickly turns out not always.