Ortovox 3+

Although I never use harness systems

Dan - do you think that might have been any factor in having forgot your beacon the day of your accident?

Not that the forgot beacon was a factor or the most important lesson from your incredibly honest and sobbering accident report.

I'm anal about wearing mine. Often do just out of ingrained habit when there is absolutely no need - skiing in bounds on groomers - on zero risk days.

Only ever not use a harness in the spring or with a hudge overnight pack - for comfort. Never just put it in my pack in case I need it later.

Not judgiing at all. If question offends or upsets I'll remove it.

The video shows exactly what I was referring to as "erratic behavior". Interesting in that I don't remember seeing on the second searching session, but it's been a couple of weeks ago so I may not be remembering, or I may have walked right through that zone as he suggests.

In the first testing session I stood and watched it jump all over the place before just moving to get a different read. It did steady out after that, so I'll have to check and see if it's consistent around 6M.

Jonathan - really - novel concept....

I think remembering all the error code meanings in the field is going to be a problem unless you carry a cheat sheet or generalize:

Error code on Self Test (E1-E4)= check for interfering signals, if still getting an error beacon isn't working right. Dig out backup Tracker.

Error code on Partner Test (E1-E7)= give partner your backup Tracker(and show him/her how to use it...)

I was excited about this beacon when it came out, but one trip to REI cured me. Turned the on/off/recieve button too far and the battery fell out. Took an effort to get the battery compartment closed. The switch alone would steer me away, but also, did not care for the display. Was not that large or very bright. Design seems very poor.

<snip>
One thing I find interesting: Ortovox recommends a single rescuer signal search pattern that is 20m from the edge of the debris and 40m apart. BCA and AIARE has been using 10m and 20m. Any thoughts on this topic?

I have an explanation regarding IKAR's recommendation to manufactures on how the maximum search strip should be calculated here (on BeaconReviews.com). BCA now says 40m for the Tracker DTS and 50m for the Tracker2 (although the Tracker2 manual states 40m in one location).

Steve
BeaconReviews.com

I have an explanation regarding IKAR's recommendation to manufactures on how the maximum search strip should be calculated here (on BeaconReviews.com). BCA now says 40m for the Tracker DTS and 50m for the Tracker2 (although the Tracker2 manual states 40m in one location).
Steve
BeaconReviews.com

Steve - Thank you for joining the discussion and thank you for providing you link to the Calculated versus Recommended Search Strip Widths on BeaconReviews.com.
And welcome to TAY. You web site is a huge resource to those of us trying to figure out the pros and cons of various new beacons on the market and I, as one of many, appreciate all your hard work.

When you did your tests of the 3+ for BeaconReviews.com did you see any of the perceived "wierdness" or "quirks", i.e. momentary erroneous/unstable indications at a particular distance as mentioned above and also mentioned in the video reviews cited above?

Thanks, in advance, for your feedback.

Ron if range is a priority, which I understand and agree with to a degree - the speed that a secondary search can be conducted with a digi beacon possibly outweighing that advantage - have you tried a DSP? I'm constantly amazed at how much further out it reaches than most all other beacons.

It really is time to retire those old analogs everyone... almost to the point of being industry standard to do so.. you mentioned yourself good reasons why. It's current CAA advise to junk them. I sincerely hope no one is still teaching any avy courses with one as an instructor.