Beacon Disposal\Recycling

I'm starting to change my mind on using really old analog transceivers for practice with new digital ones. I'm starting to think it's better to train with the ones your party skis with

Using an F1 as a target can make searching harder.
But then again, that can be seen as a plus (i.e., the real thing will only be easier if anything).

Thanks all for the suggestions.

Apparently we'll be using them one last time on Christmas day... and will make a decision where they go after that.

Had a very eye opening experience at a refresher course two years ago; beacons really do degrade their range over time. I don't recall specifics, but I do remember we compared Trackers as well as Tracker 2's head to head and only 5 years of age made a substantial difference.

Had a very eye opening experience at a refresher course two years ago; beacons really do degrade their range over time.  I don't recall specifics, but I do remember we compared Trackers as well as Tracker 2's head to head and only 5 years of age made a substantial difference.

I've never seen this assertion supported by any sort of rigorous test, other kind of assessment, and/or underlying technical explanation.
For any differences in various generations of the original Tracker DTS, the initial signal acquisition range was enhanced over time, so you were probably picking up improvements that made over the years, not degradation from chronological aging.
For five years of age making a difference in the Tracker 2, the "old" units that you were testing at the time couldn't have been much older than two years, so must have been something wrong with the testing protocol.

OK, official disclaimer - I'm the Pacific Northwest Tech Rep for BCA and K2 Backside. I'm also one of the guides at Pro Guiding Service. I did fact-check what I'm about to write here with BCA:

BCA recommends that you replace your beacon every 5 years. It is, after all, a piece of electronics that will age. Parts work loose, circuit boards get brittle, batteries are left inside for the summer to corrode. Personally, I'm always a little surprised that someone will replace their cell phone every two years, but want their avalanche transceiver to last 20. I won't ski with anyone using a beacon more than 10 years old, or more than 5 years old that they bought used and can't confirm the age isn't less than 10. I actually keep a beacon with me to loan to these folks (or if they accidentally forgot their own).

BCA still makes the Tracker DTS simply because there is still a demand for it! I've always imagined the customer is either 1) the struggling-college-kid-eating-ramen-to-go-skiing-and-watching-every-doller or 2) someone who practiced with a loaned Tracker DTS and picks it out because its what they're familiar with. Both will probably use it for 2-5 years, then upgrade to a different model, and then loan that DTS to a new ski partner. Awesome!

I do agree with Jonathan S that the Tracker 2 is better in almost every way - three antenna and even more intuitive to use. Its the beacon I loan out to my partners and guests.

The concern over "signal drift" dates back to analog beacons and the first generations of digital beacons, when antennas were made with ceramics that could age, degrade, and break with time. Older beacons actually had looser tolerances for "signal drift" to try to compensate. Current antenna's utilize crystals instead, eliminating that concern and allowing for tighter tolerances - so older beacons sometimes don't play well with the newest models. So do you parking lot checks!

Feel free to message or email me if you have any further questions. Be safe!