“When Should You Change Your Avalanche Transceiver Batteries?” This is a question that comes up again and again and there are different answers to this question. We’re going to share with you some of the industry standards that we know of and why they are what they are. The best idea is to be conservative and change your batteries frequently and don’t let you batteries get below 60%. The first thing you should do is consult the user manual of your avalanche beacon (you can find them online) and read at what battery percentage your beacon […] Avalanche SnowBrains | October 21, 2019 5 Comments
ORTOVOX S1+ Avalanche Beacons RECALL: LONGMONT, CO (For Immediate Release) – ORTOVOX is announcing an immediate product recall of the S1+ model avalanche transceiver due to a repairable hardware issue. THE ACTION AFFECTS ALL S1+ MODELS distributed in the U.S. market since July, 2011. The previous design, known as the ORTOVOX S1, IS NOT AFFECTED. The S1+ hardware deficiency may occur during transmission mode, limiting the ability to transmit a discoverable signal even as the unit appears to be powered on and functioning properly. “ORTOVOX Germany […] Avalanche SnowBrains | April 3, 2015 0 Comments
VIDEO: How To Use an Avalanche Beacon BCA just put out this simple video explaining how to use your beacon in avalanche terrain. If you’re not familiar with how to use a beacon, this is a great video. If you haven’t used your beacon in a while, this is a great refresher. Even if you’re totally dialed with your beacon, it’s always good to have another look. The video also goes into how to handle multiple burials as well. Please watch and please practice with your beacon at home. Even if you’re totally dialed with your beacon, it’s always […] SnowBrains | March 26, 2015 0 Comments
Your Transceiver and You Project Zero’s mission is to reduce avalanche fatalities and promote a responsible backcountry experience. This ground-breaking North American industry collaboration between avalanche forecast centers, educators, equipment manufacturers, industry associations and non-profits formed under the far-reaching vision to “Reduce Avalanche Fatalities to Zero.” While lofty, this statement sets a vision that can only happen through broad collaboration towards cultural, infrastructure and educational changes in how we manage avalanche risks. More info about this project […] Naomi VanPatten | January 4, 2015 0 Comments
BCA Tracker 3 is Here & It’s The Size of a Smart Phone BCA’s Tracker 3 has just been released and has just started shipping to ski shops around the US of A. What avalanche beacon is the best beacon for you? The one you practice with because that’s the one you know the best and that’s the one you’ll be fastest with. But, if you need a new beacon, this Tracker 3 is going to be a solid option. BCA has started shipping Tracker3! This much-anticipated avalanche transceiver has the same super-intuitive user interface and real-time display as our Tracker2 avalanche beacon, but in a package that’s 20 percent smaller and lighter. It also features Signal Suppression and Big Picture modes, for ease of […] Avalanche SnowBrains | January 30, 2014 0 Comments
Some Avalanche Beacons OFF By Up to 1+ Meters in Deep Burials Recently, We’ve come across an explanation from BeaconReviews.com of how some types of avalanche beacons, during deep burials, could lead you to probe up to a meter or more away from the actual victim. It has to do with signal spikes from the flux lines of the transceiver. “The distance between the strongest signal and the transmitter is based on the orientation of the two transceivers and the depth of the burial […] Avalanche Bevan Waite | January 16, 2014 1 Comment
10 Gear Essentials for Sidecountry Skiing Backcountry skiing is the fastest growing genre of our sport. Having the right equipment is important; having the right amount of experience and education is vital. Listed below are 10 pieces of gear that I recommend for sidecountry skiing or short backcountry day trips. This is the gear I use know works well. Gear is never a substitute […] Gear Review Eric Bryant | November 21, 2013 7 Comments
DO NOT Use a Smart Phone App as an Avalanche Beacon! The Canadian Avalanche Center has just released a press release denouncing the use of “smart phone apps” as avalanche beacon. 3 European smart phone apps are offering service as avalanche beacons now and they have been found to NOT WORK. When you are running out of air underneath an avalanche, you won’t feel that great about having saved $300 bucks by using a smart phone app instead of a real, certified avalanche beacon. A smart phone app will never replace your avalanche beacon. There are so many reasons that an app cannot replace an avalanche beacon: they don’t work properly, battery life, robustness, […] Avalanche SnowBrains | October 25, 2013 8 Comments
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