LVS devices in comparison
If you are a ski tourer who travels off the groomed slopes or a freerider who likes to leave the ski area, you should definitely use an avalanche transceiver for your own safety. With these devices, you can be located in an emergency, but also locate friends and comrades themselves who are caught in an avalanche. But what to consider when choosing an avalanche transceiver and what functions does the device need? We explain it to you and compare some devices from different manufacturers.
What is an avalanche transceiver and what can it do?
An avalanche transceiver is a combined transmitter-receiver that transmits an electromagnetic field, but can also receive in search mode. Thus, an avalanche transceiver operating in search mode guides you along field lines to another avalanche transceiver when it is in transmit mode. This allows you to use visual and audible signals from your beacon to find and rescue others after a burial.
A complete avalanche transceiver kit also includes a avalanche probe and anavalanche shovelas well as a first aid kit and a rescue blanket, which should be carried by at least one person in your group.
What functions does my avalanche transceiver need?
According to experts, avalanche beacons should meet some minimum requirements:
- It should be a digital 3-antenna device
- The transceiver should be equipped with a marker function (so you can hide found transmitters in case of multiple burials in order to find further buried subjects)
- Locating with direction arrow and distance indication on a display
However, all of the latest devices meet these minimum requirements.
In our Sport Bittl store you will also find numerous devices from different manufacturers that offer additional functionalities.
For most beginners, but also for advanced touring skiers and freeskiers, the numerous basic functions are perfectly sufficient. Because: "As with other electronic devices, the complexity increases with the range of functions. This means that advanced features are only useful for users if they have been trained accordingly and can handle them. Otherwise, they quickly become overwhelming or are not used anyway" (Peter Plattner, PIEPS Blog).
What is important to you?
If you are not a professional and prefer a small and lightweight device that is intuitive to use, then the entry-level and mid-range devices presented below are perfectly adequate.
Many of the avalanche beacons are updateable, offer an extremely precise fine search and convince with low weight.
It makes sense to have an automatic switchover function from search mode to send mode. The system automatically switches back to transmit mode after a certain time. After an exercise or an actual avalanche, you can thus not accidentally be permanently in search mode. This makes sense, since you cannot be found in search mode if you get caught in an after avalanche yourself while or after you are searching for buried subjects. Numerous manufacturers offer further functionalities, but here you should decide according to your individual preferences - in our comparison we highlight some functions that differentiate the various manufacturers.
Training for emergencies
Rescuing buried victims after an avalanche is a challenge even for experienced alpinists or mountain rescuers and represents an extreme situation for everyone involved. It is therefore all the more important that you are well prepared for this emergency. The best avalanche transceiver is of no use to you if you do not know how to use it safely in the event of a burial. Therefore, all experts and organizations advise you to complete a training course. In this training you will learn the basics of search techniques and you can practice in a group what is important in an emergency.
If you take part in a course with your own equipment, you also familiarize yourself with the handling and are well prepared in case of emergency. Providers such as the German Alpine Club, Mountain Spirit or Snow Academy give such courses and training regularly.
One thing is clear: In an emergency, things have to happen quickly and an avalanche transceiver should be as easy and intuitive to use as possible. You should definitely pay attention to this:
- Good readability of the display
- Logical and intuitive menu navigation
- Comfortable carrying system (with straps that keep the transceiver stable, comfortable and close to the body).
- Important: check the charge status of the batteries before each use!
Entry-level LVS devices:
Avalanche beacons for beginners are comparatively inexpensive, easy to use and, above all, light and compact. Nevertheless, they have all the essential functions and are therefore a good option to equip not only for beginners, but also for weight fetishists.
Pieps DSP Sport:
- New hardcase carrying system: high wearing comfort with low weight
- Only one function button for easy operation
- Perfectly readable display in all lighting conditions
- Group check
- Auto search-to-send
- Maximum range: 50m
- Width of the search strip: 50m
BCA Tracker S:
- User-friendly entry-level device without motion detection or upgradable software
- Fast processor with real-time display
- Big Picture Mode and Signal Suppression Mode for targeted search of multiple burials
- Compact format
- Max. Range: 55m
- Width of search strip: 50m
Pieps Micro BT:
- Lightweight and small entry-level device
- Simple and intuitive handling
- Wireless device management via Bluetooth and PIEPS app
- Automatic switching from transmit to search mode
- Marker function, group check mode
- Max. Range: 50m
- Search strip width: 50m
Mid-range LVS devices:
The mid-range devices come with extensive features and many additional functions. They are particularly suitable for those who frequently go ski touring and want and use additional functions beyond the basic ones. Most of the devices are somewhat heavier and larger than the quite minimalist entry-level devices.
Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon:
- At only 136 grams, the Recon LT is one of the lightest full-featured avalanche beacons on the market
- Bluetooth connectivity allows you to manage settings and perform software updates from your smartphone
- Housing with soft-touch contact points for improved handling
- Mode for marking in case of multiple burials
- Max. Range: 50m
- Search strip width: 50m
BCA Tracker 3:
- Fast processor with real-time display
- Compact dimensions and pleasantly light
- Big Picture Mode: To get a good overview quickly
- Signal Suppression Mode: Interference signals can be suppressed
- Motion-Sensing Auto Revert: Automatically switches to transmit mode if you don't move for a longer time (post-avalanche protection)
- Easy software update and reliable function test via mini USB interface
- Max. Range: 55m
- Width of search strip: 50m
Ortovox Diract:
- Smart Antenna technology: automatically switches to the best transmitting antenna
- Reduced, logical design: easy and intuitive to use
- Post avalanche protection: automatically switches from search and standby mode to transmit mode
- Full graphic, extra large display: easy to read
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is extra long-lasting and environmentally friendly
- Automatic software updates via Ortovox app
- Multiple burial function
- Search strip width: Max. 50m
Mammut Barryvox:
- Large display: Easy to operate and read
- Visual Interface: Shows distance, direction and number of buried subjects
- Acoustic user guidance: Allows the rescuer to visually scan the avalanche field
- Multiple burial: Signal analysis and signal separation for multiple buried subjects
- Automatic transmission switching
- 5 years Mammut warranty
- Max. Range: 70m
- Search strip width: 70m
High-end LVS devices:
The upper end of the spectrum of avalanche beacons is primarily aimed at professional mountain rescuers, mountain guides and athletes who spend a lot of time in the mountains. To benefit from the enormous technical possibilities of these devices, one should be well versed in the technology and know in which situations one can benefit from their added value. But finding buried subjects with the help of voice navigation , as with the Ortovox Diract Voice, should also be an interesting feature for all passionate ski tourers and freeskiers, for which the somewhat higher price can be well worth it.
Pieps Pro BT:
- Avalanche transceiver for professionals
- Outstanding battery life: min. 600 h in transmit mode
- Wireless device management with Bluetooth and PIEPS APP
- Perfect marking performance
- Inclination sensor
- Exclusive training and maintenance functions for mountain guides and rescuers
- Extended group check mode
- Max. Range: 60m
- Search strip width: 60m
Mammut Barryvox S:
- Large display: Easy to operate and read
- Visual Interface: Shows distance, direction and number of buried subjects
- Acoustic user guidance: Allows the rescuer to search the avalanche field visually
- Smart Search: interacts with the rescuer's actions during the search
- Auto Guidance: device guides the rescuer further to the buried subject in case of signal failure or overlap
- Multiple burial: signal analysis and signal separation in case of multiple burials
- Automatic transmission switching
- 5 years Mammut warranty
- Extended Search Range: Extended reception range (analog): up to 95m, extended search strip width (analog): 100m
Ortovox Diract Voice:
- Compact avalanche transceiver with voice navigation
- Clear and distinct voice commands help with the search
- Smart Antenna technology: automatically switches to the best transmitting antenna
- Reduced, logical design: easy and intuitive to use
- Post avalanche protection: automatically switches from search and standby mode to transmit mode
- Full graphic, extra large display: easy to read
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is extra long-lasting and environmentally friendly
- Automatic software updates via Ortovox app
- Multiple burial function
- Search strip width: max. 50m
Conclusion:
Even for supposedly short or low-risk tours or descents in open terrain, you should always have an avalanche transceiver as well as shovel and probe with you, because the conditions in the mountains can change quickly and something can always happen. We have a large selection of avalanche transceivers from top manufacturers in the Sport Bittl Shop, which have all the technical features you need. Depending on which functions you value, you will find beginner, all-round and professional avalanche transceivers in our shop. If you have any further questions on the subject, you can always ask for advice from our expert staff in one of our stores or simply call our experts on the ski hotline at +49 89 89219-193.