Avalanche transceivers, or avalanche beacons, and mountain search and rescue equipment is made by Ortovox, Recco, BCA, DTS, Mammut, Pieps, Arva, Barryvox and NIC. The main competition for Ortovox in avalanche safety equipment industry comes from Mammut/Barryvox, Stubai, Arva, Life-Link and G3 also make beacons. We stock Ortovox because we think they are the best avalanche transceivers on the market. The Mammut Pulse Barryvox or Opto VS 2000 or Boa DTS tracker and Arva 9000 and NIC Impex Arva are mere contenders.
These are generally Analogue receiving devices that require a little more experience to use well. However they do provide more accurate results and a greater range when searching
These devices are still fairly easy to use but do not give out a graphics display so you will need to interpret lights and sounds in order to find your victim
These are the easiest to use transceivers available. Most people could pick one of these up and find a victim in a reasonable amount of time without ever having looked at a transceiver before. The graphic display will take you to the victims without having to interpret beeps and lights. Although these are easy to use, we still advise people to go on an Avalanche training course before embarking on any backcountry excursion.
this is the choice for people with experience who want maximum range when in an emergency situation. Analog devices are a little trickier to use but provide more accurate results
Intelligent Transceivers contain a position sensor, which can analyze the position of the device in the avalanche and switches to the best transmitting antennae. Worst coupling positions are thus eliminated and you are found easier every time