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Backcountry Access Tracker DTS Avalanche Transceiver

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Product Description,
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Reviews

Backcountry Access Tracker's new harness system and user-friendly tracking system speeds up the response time of finding those caught in an avalanche.

Two units are required for use; each person in a party should carry a unit for the best chance of rescue in the event of an avalanche
Tracker DTS transceiver uses a multi-dimensional antenna system to locate buried transmitters, eliminating user signal-interpretation errors
Lights indicate the direction of the signal; simply rotate like a compass and proceed as arrow lights indicate
Numeric distance display shows approximate distance to buried transmitter; pinpoint search loudspeaker provides reinforcement to visual clues
Holster harness system allows the unit to be easily removed; lanyard ensures unit won't be lost
Operates on 457 kHz frequency and is fully compatible with other 457 kHz units; functions as a transmitter and receiver
Unit performs automatic performance diagnostic—testing lights, transmit and receive functions and battery level—each time it's turned on
Oversized buttons are easy to operate with gloves on; buttons, full gasket around battery box and unit protect against wet-weather conditions
Uses three AAA-size alkaline batteries (included) which provide a minimum life of 250 hours in transmit mode; 50 hours in receive mode

Made in USA.

Item 717163

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Backcountry Access Tracker DTS Avalanche Transceiver Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Backcountry Access Tracker Avalanche Transceiver

4.7

(based on 11 reviews)

91%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Easy to use (4)
Lightweight (4)
Rugged (4)
Tough (3)

Cons

Heavy / bulky (4)

Best Uses

Backcountry skiing (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid climber (4)

Reviewed by 11 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Jan

2008

(23 of 23 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great Beacon

By Scott Pendleton

from Pasadena, CA

About Me Avid Climber

See all my reviews

Pros

Highly Adjustable
Lightweight
Rugged

Cons

Bulky
Multiple Burial

Best Uses

BC Skiing
Mountaineering
Ski Mountaineering

Comments about Backcountry Access Tracker Avalanche Transceiver:

Any of the avy beacons on the market are good IF YOU PRACTIVE WITH THEM. They're only as good as how well you know how to use them.

That said, I like the Tracker for a variety of reasons: it's the least expensive on the market, it's one of the toughest and most reliable, it's simple and intuitive to use, and it has one of the best harness systems. It's a little bulky, but Í prefer bulky to fragile.

It's multiple burial function is a little bit weak, but those are overrated in effectiveness anyway. In a multiple burial situation, the time involved digging people out is the limiting factor, not finding them with the beacon.

And most importantly, no matter what beacon you get, get to know your terrain and conditions so you don't get caught in the first place, then practice with your beacon, practice with your probe, practice with your shovel. Know how to do it so well that it's instinctive reflex and you don't have to think about it.

Comment on this review

Nov

2008

(9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

function before fashion

By bluebuddha

from Bend, OR

About Me Avid Climber

See all my reviews

Pros

Rugged
Simple

Cons

Bulky

Best Uses

Comments about Backcountry Access Tracker Avalanche Transceiver:

This is, without a doubt, the easiest transceiver I've used. I am consistently the first to find the "victim" when doing beacon practice with friends and during classes. In addition, it's the sherman tank of beacons. Some reviews were more concerned about how it made them look ("pregnant"), but personally I'd rather it be reliable to save my life or that of a friend. I don't care if it's hot pink and is the size of a dictionary (neither of which are accurate) as long as it does what it needs to do. Buy this beacon, deal with the bulk (it's not even that bulky!), PRACTICE USING IT, and ride safe.

Comment on this review

Sep

2007

(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

NEVER GO INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY WITHOUT IT

By ak907

from ALASKA

About Me experienced

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Lightweight
Weather Resistant

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry Skiing
Backcountry Snowboarding

Comments about Backcountry Access Tracker Avalanche Transceiver:

THIS TRANSCEIVER IS VERY RELIABLE. THE DIRECTIONAL SYSTEM TAKES PRACTICE TO GET USED TO, BUT ONCE YOU FIGURE IT OUT IT IS QUICK TO FOLLOW. ALWAYS PRACTICE RESCUES!!!

Comment on this review

Mar

2009

(5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Redefines easy to use

By asrjb25

from Alaska

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Use
Tough

Cons

Best Uses

Icy Conditions
Powder
Slushy Conditions
White Out Conditions

Comments about Backcountry Access Tracker Avalanche Transceiver:

I did an experiment with this beacon when I got it for Christmas. I hid my old beacon in a kitchen drawer (Ortovox F2). I went upstairs and I handed my wife this beacon. To give you an idea of her experience, she has never seen an avalanche beacon in person before, let alone ever used one. I didn't even tell her how to turn it on, let alone use it, and she was within 3 feet of my hidden beacon downstairs within 3 minutes.

No joke, this is an amazingly easy to use beacon, simple buttons, easy to use, uncomplicated. If I was buried in an avalanche (I've been close) I would want my rescuers using this beacon to find me.

Comment on this review

Dec

2009

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

excellent

By JonB

from Berkeley, CA

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Tough

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Backcountry Access Tracker Avalanche Transceiver:

Just because it is one of the least expensive beacons, doesn't mean it can't get the job done. The battery life is incredible and the unit is practically indestructible (having survived everything from airline baggage handlers to skiing over cliffs to impromptu wrestling matches). Relatively easy to use, but make sure you practice with it before you actually need to use it.

Comment on this review

Dec

2007

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

better than u expect

By sanches

from rigby, id

About Me Avid Climber

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Highly Adjustable
Lightweight
Rugged

Cons

Best Uses

Outdoor

Comments about Backcountry Access Tracker Avalanche Transceiver:

it is the easiest beacon i have ever used

Comment on this review

Nov

2007

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Easy to use

By EdinCO

from Denver CO

About Me Avid Climber, Avid snowboarder

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to use
Less expensive

Cons

Bulky

Best Uses

Backcountry skiing
Backcountry snowboarding

Comments about Backcountry Access Tracker Avalanche Transceiver:

Great beacon for the price. Great beacon overall. could stand to be a little slimer for comfort. THis ia all you need and easy to use.

Comment on this review

Sep

2007

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Easy to use

By Will in Denver

from Denver

About Me Avid Skier

See all my reviews

Pros

Intuitive

Cons

Best Uses

BACKCOUNTRY

Comments about Backcountry Access Tracker Avalanche Transceiver:

Easiest transceiver to use of any I have seen. Multiple burial function can be a little confusing, but as with any transceiver practice, practice and then practice some more!

Comment on this review

Mar

2008

(3 of 42 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Easy to use, but TOO BULKY

By Freeheeler

from Boise, Idaho

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to use
Rugged

Cons

Bulky
Not Adjustable
Weird harness design

Best Uses

Backcountry skiing
Winter snow sports

Comments about Backcountry Access Tracker Avalanche Transceiver:

The Tracker is really, really easy to use and a great backcountry beacon. I feel pretty petty about slamming it on this one thing, but....it's really bulky, and the harness design isn't that adjustable. Funtionally, it's bulky enough that my clothes don't fit over it, and that lets cold air seep in and makes me uncomfortable. (Did I mention that I'm 5'2"? I don't have much torso length to spare here.) Ultimately, it also makes me look pregnant, and that [*] me off. Backcountry Access, are you listening? If so, design your gear for WOMEN, please! I'd love to keep this Tracker around, but I might just take it back, keep my old analog Pieps, and hope like [*] that my spouse never needs that extra minute of time that the BA might have provided in return for hours of backcountry warmth and comfort. If you're short and female, avoid the Tracker.

Comment on this review

Dec

2010

4.0

Great starter beacon

By Angies Husband

from Seattle, WA

See all my reviews

Comments about Backcountry Access Tracker Avalanche Transceiver:

A good starter beacon. Easy to use.

Doesn't do well with multiple burials as another poster mentioned.

Comment on this review

Displaying reviews 1-10