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Beacons

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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
as im starting to get more into backcountry/sidecountry skiing, one of the things that i need is a beacon. however i know very little about them, and dont know which one to get. i have heard good things about the BCA tracker or tracker2 but i dont have any preference. regardless of what i get, i will learn how to use it and will have the proper gear with me. my budget is around 400. what is a good option based on this?
Jan 2 2013 10:35PM
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Bozite
Posts: 981 - Karma: 561
Tracker and tracker 2 are really good beacons. Simple to use. But with any beacon, practice using them with friends or family a lot before going into the backcountry.
Jan 2 2013 11:47PM
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SickJib_Brit
Posts: 824 - Karma: 151
I have the Tracker2 and although I haven't had to use it in a time of need, it is very lightweight and simple to use.
Jan 2 2013 11:49PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
Agreed about the BCA beacons. The Tracker/Tracker2 are super easy to use. The Mammut Barryvox is really nice as well, but it is more expensive and takes a little more time to understand. I have only used those three so I cannot comment on any other ones.

Don't forget shovel and probe though! Those are equally important. I haven't noticed a difference in probes from one company to the next, but shovels vary a lot. I don't like the BD ones. BCA makes nice ones but they can be on the heavy side. The Voile one I carried on one trip was way too big. I purchased a Mammut Alugator lite and it's been great.
Jan 3 2013 9:54AM
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saskskier
Posts: 4772 - Karma: 9,984
I don't know if they have at REI or other shops in the states, but I picked up a BCA essentials kit (Tracker, probe and shovel) from Mountain Equipment Co-op for $290 for my brother for Christmas. It's all basic, but pretty awesome for someone who's just getting into it.
Jan 3 2013 10:16AM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
A beacon is only good if you've got a shovel and probe and friends with beacons, shovels, and probes.

And you know how to search with them. 

And ski safely in the backcountry.
Jan 3 2013 11:30AM
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