Five Best Avalanche Beacons of 2024 for Skiing.
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With Ullr the Snow God answering our prayers and the snow storms coming in hot across the US, it’s essential to be prepared when hitting the POW. At Overland Girl, we like to play it safe, whether hitting the backcountry or keeping it in bounds.
Do I need an avalanche beacon?
Using a beacon significantly improves the chances of successful avalanche rescue, reducing the time it takes to locate a buried person. However, owning a beacon is not enough—you also need proper training on how to use it effectively and safely.
If you are venturing into avalanche terrain, it is highly recommended that you not only carry an avalanche beacon but also receive training in avalanche safety, including how to use the beacon, probe, and shovel effectively. Also, please always check the avalanche forecast for the area you plan to visit and make informed decisions based on the current conditions.
Remember that safety in avalanche-prone areas involves a combination of education, experience, and the right equipment.
Pro Tip: We know a beacon is a big investment, so make sure you know how to use it in case you need it. You can sign up for a class with AIARE. To sign up, visit their site here.
How do you use a ski beacon?
Using a beacon involves understanding its functions and practicing specific techniques. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a ski beacon:
Preparation:
Ensure that your beacon is in good working condition.
Familiarize yourself with your beacon's specific features and functions by reading the user manual.
Putting on the Beacon:
Wear the beacon close to your body, preferably in a dedicated pocket on the chest or attached to a harness under your outer layers.
Ensure the beacon is securely fastened and not easily dislodged during activity.
Transmit Mode:
Before heading into avalanche terrain, switch the beacon to "Transmit" mode.
In transmit mode, the beacon sends a continuous signal that other beacons can pick up.
Check for Interference:
Before starting your activity, check for interference or overlapping signals by ensuring no other beacons are transmitting nearby.
Range Check:
Some beacons have a range-check function. If yours does, use it to ensure your beacon is transmitting and receiving signals within the expected range.
Here are our top five Avalanche Beacons of 2024:
1. Mammut’s Barryvox S
Range: 70 meters
Weight: 210 g
Battery: 3 x AAA
Battery life: 300 hours in SEND mode
Suitable for: Skiing, Mountaineering, Ski Touring
Price: $549.95
The Barryvox® S is a digital/analog avalanche transceiver with three antennas, offering advanced features for backcountry safety. It has a large receiving bandwidth and an effective search strip width of 70 meters, providing an intuitive interface and straightforward operation. The device supports extended digital search, receiving ranges, and analog capabilities for challenging scenarios.
Key Features:
Effective digital search strip width: 70 meters
Digital receiving range: 70 meters
Extended search range: up to 95 meters (analog)
Circular receiving field for consistent X and Y antenna performance
Compatible with lithium batteries (300 hours in SEND)
Display with background lighting for readability
Acoustic search guidance with tones
Reverse direction function to prevent search errors
Group Check for quick device checks
Ergonomic, impact-proof, and break-proof design for glove-friendly operation
Intelligent fine search guidance for precise rescues
Auto Revert switches to SEND mode after 4 minutes of inactivity
Rescue-SEND for non-searching rescuers during secondary avalanches
Auto guidance and alternative search mode for signal challenges
Personalization options for the start screen and user texts
SafeLock prevents accidental search mode activation
W-Link enhances communication and fleet management
Updatable software; operating temperature: -25° to +45° Celsius
Vital data is displayed in SEND mode, and the Pro-Search Setting combines digital and analog indicators for optimal search performance. The Barryvox® S is a versatile and reliable tool for avalanche rescue.
Mammut's longevity since 1862 speaks volumes about its endurance and commitment to its craft. The brand's enduring presence over the years suggests a combination of quality, innovation, and adaptability. Mammut's longstanding history likely reflects a dedication to producing reliable and effective products, earning the trust of outdoor enthusiasts over generations.
Range: 60 meters
Weight: 217 g
Battery: 3 x AAA
Battery life: 400 hours
Price: $349.95
The Recon X avalanche beacon is equipped with essential features for swift and precise searches in the aftermath of an avalanche. It incorporates Bluetooth connectivity, enabling convenient settings management and software updates through your smartphone. Boasting a 60-meter circular range and three antennas for accurate pinpointing, the Recon X is designed for efficiency, catering specifically to the needs of everyday backcountry travelers. The accompanying harness-style carrying pouch, characterized by its lightweight and comfortable design, ensures streamlined storage and facilitates quick retrieval for both beacon practice and emergency response scenarios.
Bluetooth Connectivity: Enables seamless management of settings and software updates via smartphone, enhancing user convenience.
60-Meter Circular Range: Provides ample coverage for efficient search operations in avalanche scenarios.
Three Antennas: Ensures pinpoint accuracy during searches, enhancing overall effectiveness.
Streamlined Design: Tailored for everyday backcountry travelers, the Recon X prioritizes simplicity and ease of use.
Harness-Style Carrying Pouch: Lightweight and comfortable, facilitating streamlined storage and rapid access for practice and emergency response situations.
3. Barryvox
Range: 70 meters
Weight: 210 g
Battery: 3 x AAA
Battery life: 300 hours in SEND mode
Suitable for: Skiing, Mountaineering, Ski Touring
Price: $384.95
The Barryvox® is a digital three-antenna avalanche transceiver that prioritizes essential functions, focusing on simplicity and user-friendly navigation. Boasting a large receiving bandwidth and an effective search strip width of 70 meters, it provides a straightforward interface with intuitive operation.
Key Features:
Effective digital search strip width: 70 meters
Digital receiving range: 70 meters
Circular receiving field for consistent X and Y antenna performance
Display with background lighting for easy readability, even with polarized glasses
Acoustic search guidance uses tones to guide users toward buried subjects, allowing visual concentration on the avalanche field during searches
Reverse direction function prevents 180-degree search errors
Group Check function ensures optimal functionality by quickly checking transmission frequency and device level
Intuitive visual interface provides detailed guidance through all search phases and multiple burial situations
Ergonomic, impact-proof, and break-proof design allows operation while wearing gloves
Self-Test function checks device transmission and search functionality on startup, with ongoing send and battery tests
Buried subjects can be selected from a list, marked, and unmarked in the event of multiple burials
Automatic switching from send to search (Auto Revert) after 4 minutes of inactivity, motion-sensor-controlled
Barryvox® carrying system includes SafeLock to prevent accidental search mode activation
W-Link offers an additional communication channel for enhanced search performance
Device fleet management via W-Link
Updatable software for continuous improvements
Operating temperature: -25° to +45° Celsius (-13° to +113° Fahrenheit)
In the backcountry or keeping it in bounds, powerful search performance is crucial for saving lives. The Barryvox® stands out with a 70-meter effective search strip width, making it one of the most potent transceivers on the market.
4. BCA Tracker3+ Avalanche
Range: 55 meters
Weight: 7.6 oz / 215 g
Battery: 3 x AAA
Battery life: Min. 1 hour in search mode after 200 hours in transmit mode
Price: $349.95
The BCA Tracker3+ avalanche beacon, known for its user-friendly design and real-time display, is crafted to be compact and easily portable. As the smallest and thinnest in the Tracker series, it prioritizes simplicity and practicality. Equipped with features like signal suppression and Big Picture modes, it facilitates efficient multiple-victim searches. The motion-sensing auto revert-to-transmit mode adds a layer of safety. Additionally, including a Mini USB port allows for convenient software updates, enhancing the device's functionality over time.
5. BCA Tracker S Avalanche
Range: 55 meters
Weight: 7.2 oz / 205 g
Battery: 3 x AAA
Battery life: Min. 1 hour in search mode after 200 hours in transmit mode
Suitable for: Ski, Snowboarding, Snowmobile, Snowshoe, Uphill
Price: $299.95
The BCA Tracker S™ Avalanche Beacon mirrors the performance, ease of use, and real-time display of the Tracker3, providing essential features for users in avalanche-prone areas. It caters to the needs of snow professionals without the added complexity of motion-sensing or upgradeable software.