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Every other year, we conduct and publish a comprehensive beacon review. This is an off year, so we’ve pulled together last year’s findings and republished them here, as a guide for you.
With exception to the Arva Axis and Link (which now feature updated firmware), all beacons are the same for this winter. For the initial beta on beacons that will debut this year (including updates to the two Arva beacons), pick up the January issue, available now. And for a rundown of our testing procedures, check out the links below.
Break It Down
Test Setup
Range Testing
Multiples and Marking
Arva Axis
$360
Search Strip Width: 50m
en.arva-equipment.com
This beacon now features updated and improved firmware. This review reflects the old firmware, and our findings on the new updates are published in the January 2013 issue.
The Axis LCD screen displays direction and distance, and maintains a scrollable list of up to five victims. It features a basic novice mode and can be switched to analog.
While receive range was slightly less than other beacons, transmit range—how far away other beacons could detect either Arva—was about 10% greater. The distance numbers are large and easy to read, and several testers liked an icon that signaled them to switch to pinpoint gridding. Overall, tester reactions were split on the Axis: the most experienced users were comfortable with its complexity and adapted to it quickly. Their search times with singles and multiples were average. “The best feature is the different pitch and volume, like the Pulse,” one surmised. Less experienced testers ran into confusion citing two main issues: the directional arrow was often “noisy,” and during pinpoint gridding, occasional too-short distance readings were displayed. Experienced testers compensated, but beginners were confused, stating: “The arrows are too touchy,” “getting on the flux line is a challenge,” and “hard to determine the lowest number [in pinpoint].”
All testers agreed on the solid performance of the signal separation and marking: “Marks are quick to make, and hold well,” said one.
+ Solid signal separation and marking, plus an analog mode.
- Information is sometimes noisy; requires more practice to be proficient.
= Full-featured beacon at a lower price.
Arva Link
$450
Search Strip Width: 50m
en.arva-equipment.com
This beacon now features updated and improved firmware. This review reflects the old firmware, and our findings on the new updates are published in the January 2013 issue.
The Link is similar to the Axis, but adds a compass and W-Link capability. The W-Link transmits additional information between compatible beacons on a different frequency than the 457 kHz standard. The Link can share information with other Links and with the Mammut Pulse, including beacon-specific identifiers to help clarify complex multiple scenarios.
Most of the features and performance of the Link are similar to the Axis. The compass-directed arrow did not improve the searches as intended, however. Instead, noisy drifting tended to pull searchers off the flux line. The basic modes of the Link and Axis are essentially the same, but the arrow display with the Axis caused fewer problems than with the Link. The Link also exhibited the same short range pinpointing distance fluctuations as the Axis. Though our most experienced testers performed effective single and multiple searches with the Link, relatively inexperienced users felt the Link would require even more practice than the Axis to become confident. The potential benefits of the electronic compass and future advances of the W-Link are compelling—when Arva resolves the existing issues.
+ All the features of the most advanced beacons; solid marking.
- Noisy directional arrow can lead searchers astray.
= Needs improvement, but has lots of potential.
Backcountry Access Tracker2
$335
Search Strip Width: 40m
backcountryaccess.com
The Tracker2 displays distance with an LED readout and direction with an array of five red LED lights.
Single search times and the first-located beacon from multiples were quick. Testers commented, “updates quickly, allows me to move fast,” “easy to use, intuitive,” and “smooth following of the flux line.” The Tracker2 is the only reviewed beacon without a marking function, and on the second and third beacons of multiple-search scenarios, one tester suggested, “You better have your strategy worked out.” A pro user of the Tracker2 performed efficient multiples with a three-circle approach. Most other testers worked out the scenarios and found all three beacons, but with a significant one- to two-minute increase compared to the time it took with other beacons. Testers noted that the Tracker2 shined during pinpointing, with “solid locks at close range,” and “very smooth pinpoint numbers—the best.” Several testers loved it for singles, and one tester summarized: “If I knew I’d only ever have to find one beacon, I’d probably choose the Tracker2.”
All but one tester liked the ergonomics of the display—one preferred arrows that are consistently displayed rather than blinking LEDs—while everyone liked the super-obvious on/off and search/send switches, and the light, easy-to-manipulate harness.
+ Fast, intuitive, precise single searches, solid ergonomics.
- No marking to aid multiple-burial searches.
= Simple, easy-to-use beacon at a lower price.
Mammut Pulse[Editors’ Choice]
$490
Search Strip Width: 50m
mammut.ch
The Pulse wins Editors’ Choice again—6 of 8 testers gave it top marks. New version 3.2 software adds some minor updates: an “adjust direction arrow” user prompt tone, and an optional “landing strip” icon instead of a cross for pinpointing. It can now use lithium batteries for longer life and better performance in extreme cold. The LCD displays distance and number of victims—up to eight, depending on signal overlap. The Pulse has Basic and Advanced profiles: advanced allows additional configurations and analog function for longer-range detection via audio, and an alternative search mode for complex multiples.
In testing, the Pulse detected signals at long range, and “grabbed onto them like a pitbull.” An electronic compass aids the direction arrow, with what one tester called “just enough sensitivity without jumping back and forth.” Pinpoint functionality received numerous props, including “real subtle control.” Testers also favored the increasing/closer, decreasing/farther audio pitch. “I’m trusting of the beacon, it never wavers,” said one tester. Another added, “It’s a laser beam right in,” and “the signal separation is solid; marking solid.” Some testers, however, called the new “adjust direction arrow” tone distracting.
+ Long range, steady guidance, easy pinpoint.
- Direction arrow and distance could be larger; display is hard to see with polarized glasses.
= Precise, fast searches for beginners, plus advanced features for advanced users.
Mammut Element
$350
Search Strip Width: 50m
mammut.ch
The Element is the Pulse’s little brother, without the compass, advanced profile, or analog mode. But testers found it retains virtually all of the fast, reliable search capabilities of the Basic profile Pulse. The display is organized differently, and shows up to three victims (though it can track more). A “circle and needle” directional indicator replaces the arrow configuration of the Pulse.
The Element locked onto signals at long range much like the Pulse, and search times were essentially the same. Testers noticed a difference in speed, however, and felt it was “a little slower to update,” which ultimately “slowed my pinpoint searches.” Most preferred the arrow display of the Pulse to the Element’s “circle and needle”—they found the arrow was “easier to follow” and the Element had “more fluctuation,” and lacked the smooth steadiness of the Pulse’s compass-guidance. But testers noted that these were small differences from the Pulse, and added that the Element gave “clear direction, smooth and intuitive,” and that it “marked well with reliable victim counts.”
+ Long range; steady directions; excellent multiple separation and marking.
- Not quite as sharp as the Pulse, and lacks advanced features.
= Near-Pulse performance at $140 less.
Ortovox 3+
$350
Search Strip Width: 40m
ortovox.com
The 3+ features Ortovox’s Smart Antenna: if you’re buried and it senses a worst-case vertical orientation, it switches to transmit on the secondary antenna. We compared it to several vertically oriented transmitter/receiver combinations and it improved transmission range from 27% to 40%. This technology will also be included in the new S1+, which was unavailable for testing by press time.
The 3+ LCD shows distance, direction and 1, 2, 3, or more than 3 burials. It uses a single AA battery, and most testers were impressed by the convenience and weight savings.
While long-range distance readings jumped a bit, testers found reading the direction and distance easy, and liked how the filled/unfilled arrow icon “shot me right in.” This ease of interpretation was why the eight-year-old chose it as number one. It quickly displayed the correct number of burials, and search times were fast across the range of testers, even for multiples, meaning the 3+ pinpointed accurately and marked quickly. “Smooth pinpoint,” one tester said. “Marking was fast and accurate.” Testers like the ergonomics best overall, including the lightweight, easy-access pouch and low-profile design.
+ Smart Antenna really works; positive marking; easy-to-read display.
- Not the longest receive range.
= Fast search times and Smart Antenna improve finding, and being found.
Pieps DSP
$450
Search Strip Width: 50m
pieps.com
Since 2003, a steady progression of software upgrades have kept the DSP near the forefront of beacon technology. New version 8.2 adds search capability for the TX600— a dog or equipment locater that transmits on a different frequency (see sidebar). The LCD displays range, direction and number of burials—1, 2, 3, or more. Additional functions include a scan—determines the number of buried beacons within 5, 20, and 50 meters—and frequency checker to accurately measure the transmit frequencies of other beacons.
Search times were uniformly fast for singles and multiples. Testers liked the “obvious interface,” and how it “found the strongest signal, even from far out.” One of the avy pros picked the DSP as his top choice due to its range, smooth directions, fast pinpoint and marking performance. All testers, however, found the beacon difficult to remove from the pouch, which one deemed “cumbersome and way too huge.”
+ Several testers called it a “close second” behind the Pulse. Plus, it has dog transmitter capability.
- Marking not as consistent as some.
= All around solid performer.
Pieps DSP Tour
$350
Search Strip Width: 50m
pieps.com
The new Tour is a single-button, less expensive relative of the DSP—it lacks the DSP’s scan, frequency measurement and dog transmitter reception functions. Receive range test results were slightly longer with the Tour than the DSP, however, as it seemed to lock onto signals more consistently at the range limit.
Search times for the two Pieps beacons were remarkably similar for both singles and multiples. And most testers couldn’t discern a difference in performance—a definite positive. One tester elaborated, “No negatives, I can’t think of anything that slowed the search.” Searchers noticed it quickly identified the correct number of transmitters in multiple scenarios, but two testers commented that they had to hold down the mark button too long before it positively marked a site. The audio is quieter than other beacons, and some testers felt the louder, pitch-varying Mammut and Arva beacons were more helpful. Others preferred the Pieps, feeling the aggressive Mammut and Arva audio added unnecessary urgency to the search.
+ Long range, accurate directions, smooth pinpoint, simple clear display.
- Softer audio, occasional dropped mark.
= Excellent full-featured performance at a lower price.
Pieps TX600
$150
pieps.com
Everyone knows not to put a beacon on a dog—you could end up digging out Fido before your partner. But now there’s the small, light Pieps TX600 dog and equipment transmitter that uses a 456.0 kHz signal rather than the standard 457.0 kHz, and has a maximum receive range of about 15m. Using a Pieps DSP with the latest version 8.2 software, or the imminent Pieps Vector (unavailable for testing at press time), you can locate the transmitter using a separate beacon search mode. Could the TX600 interfere with a people search? Nearly impossible: we contrived a worst-case scenario with a vertical beacon buried 2.5 meters down, and the TX600 buried horizontally near the surface. Even then, the searching beacon had to be within six inches of the TX600 to get comparable signal strength to that of the buried beacon.
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