CeleryI'm looking to get more into bc this upcoming season. Is it a no-no to buy used beacons and/or other avy gear? It seems like they could be one of those items I should just buy new.

I was thinking the same thing as the Southern Hemisphere skiing starts. Could I use the same beacon for skiing and hunting or are they completely different?

I think you’re fine buying used as long as the technology is up to date and is in good shape.

You might also want input from someone who’s been touring in avy terrain for 10+ years over me though

A lot of the stuff I'm seeing is never used by people who tried to get into bc

dwt802I think you’re fine buying used as long as the technology is up to date and is in good shape.

You might also want input from someone who’s been touring in avy terrain for 10+ years over me though

I’m sure you could find some good deals on used Pieps beacons

Most experts recommend buying an avalanche transceiver new because you never know the history of a used one. Maybe it's gotten wet (they aren't waterproof) or took a hard impact somewhere. Maybe the previous owner took poor care of it. Maybe batteries were left inside over summer and they corroded. The transceiver is your life insurance in the event of an emergency. You want to know its history because you depend on it.

If you do end up getting a used beacon, take it to a backcountry shop and make sure it's fully updated and working properly.

twinkle_toesI’m sure you could find some good deals on used Pieps beacons

Funny joke but it's a dangerous one. Lots of people new to the scene don't know the dangers associated with Pieps and BD.

JustBenI was thinking the same thing as the Southern Hemisphere skiing starts. Could I use the same beacon for skiing and hunting or are they completely different?

By hunting beacon, are you referring to a PLB/Satellite Messenger? Such as a Garmin InReach or ACR Bivy Stick? These devices use satellites to relay messages and send emergency distress signals. They're good for international travel and backcountry adventures. They aren't a substitute for a transceiver though.

For out-of-bounds skiing, you'll want an avalanche transceiver. These are commonly called beacons, but it's an incorrect term. These devices emit and read short-range radio signals that pinpoint their exact location.

In the event of an avalanche, a PLB won't send a distress signal. If somehow it could, it would be hours or days before rescuers would arrive, find, and rescue the body. In a burial, you'd be long dead by then. Nearby skiers have no ability to read the location sent by the PLB, so they're effectively useless. A transceiver can allow your partners or nearby skiers to find your exact location in minutes, offering the best chance at saving your life.

BrandoComandoMost experts recommend buying an avalanche transceiver new because you never know the history of a used one. Maybe it's gotten wet (they aren't waterproof) or took a hard impact somewhere. Maybe the previous owner took poor care of it. Maybe batteries were left inside over summer and they corroded. The transceiver is your life insurance in the event of an emergency. You want to know its history because you depend on it.

If you do end up getting a used beacon, take it to a backcountry shop and make sure it's fully updated and working properly.

This^

BrandoComandoFunny joke but it's a dangerous one. Lots of people new to the scene don't know the dangers associated with Pieps and BD.

yeah some people won’t get it which is dangerous.

BrandoComandoFunny joke but it's a dangerous one. Lots of people new to the scene don't know the dangers associated with Pieps and BD.

Yeah shit I actually thought about that after I wrote it, I just assumed people would do a bit of research on the model before dropping a few hundred. Andmore importantly, hope that no scumbag out there would actually try to take advantage of someone new to the BC by selling them a faulty beacon.

good point tho

**This post was edited on Jun 9th 2022 at 5:31:24pm