Comments on: Wild Snow Beacon Reviews — Mammut Barryvox Pulse http://www.wildsnow.com/1729/barryvox-pulse-beacon-review/ Backcountry Skiing Weblog Blog, FAQs, more, links and info about randonnee, telemark and backcountry ski mountaineering. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:20:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Jonathan Shefftz http://www.wildsnow.com/1729/barryvox-pulse-beacon-review/comment-page-1/#comment-40453 Jonathan Shefftz Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:58:09 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1729#comment-40453 As with any used beacon, good to check it out thoroughly: http://www.wildsnow.com/6031/older-beacon-test-how-to/ ... although with the Pulse (and some competitors), the firmware upgrade also includes some diagnostics tests. If you're not interested in all of the Pulse's features, and just want a good deal on the general design, then consider its sibling the Element: http://www.wildsnow.com/3982/element-avalanche-beacon-from-barryvox-preview/ This place even has it sale for $280 through tomorrow: http://www.basegear.com/mammut-element-barryvox-avalanche-beacon.html For NE beacon practice, I'll post some ideas in this more general thread: http://www.wildsnow.com/5734/avalanche-beacon-overview-2011-2012/ As with any used beacon, good to check it out thoroughly:
http://www.wildsnow.com/6031/older-beacon-test-how-to/
… although with the Pulse (and some competitors), the firmware upgrade also includes some diagnostics tests.
If you’re not interested in all of the Pulse’s features, and just want a good deal on the general design, then consider its sibling the Element:
http://www.wildsnow.com/3982/element-avalanche-beacon-from-barryvox-preview/
This place even has it sale for $280 through tomorrow:
http://www.basegear.com/mammut-element-barryvox-avalanche-beacon.html
For NE beacon practice, I’ll post some ideas in this more general thread:
http://www.wildsnow.com/5734/avalanche-beacon-overview-2011-2012/

]]> By: Joe http://www.wildsnow.com/1729/barryvox-pulse-beacon-review/comment-page-1/#comment-40426 Joe Fri, 25 Nov 2011 21:26:44 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1729#comment-40426 Does anyone hav an opinion regarding purchasing a used Pulse. I have an opportunity to get one from what I believe is a reputable source. They are taking care of the updating the firmware before shipping it. This will be my first beacon and probably more than I need but I can't pass up the deal (although I've also considered the Tracker 2). Also, does is there anyplace to practice in New England or a group I can get in touch with? I'm new to touring and want to start right. Does anyone hav an opinion regarding purchasing a used Pulse. I have an opportunity to get one from what I believe is a reputable source. They are taking care of the updating the firmware before shipping it. This will be my first beacon and probably more than I need but I can’t pass up the deal (although I’ve also considered the Tracker 2).

Also, does is there anyplace to practice in New England or a group I can get in touch with? I’m new to touring and want to start right.

]]> By: Jonathan Shefftz http://www.wildsnow.com/1729/barryvox-pulse-beacon-review/comment-page-1/#comment-38939 Jonathan Shefftz Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:10:19 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1729#comment-38939 Firmware v 3.2 will be available for the Pulse in November. Sometime in November, I'll publish a completely new review of the Pulse, starting from scratch (i.e., without all of the historical info on what's changed with each version). Also in November will be reviews of the new Element (also from Barryvox) and new Pieps DSP Tour. For now though, a quick summary of what's new with the 3.2 Pulse: - The 3.2 Pulse is the first and only beacon to be fully compatible with the use of [non-rechargeable] lithium batteries. - The digitized Acoustics option will change its tones not only in response to signal strength but also in response to flux line alignment. (The new Element’s digitized-only Acoustics will also have this.) - The Pulse already offered many options specific to the final search phase for both sound and display. Now yet another display option is the “Landing Strip” (details forthcoming) instead of the dynamic cross (or even keeping on the directional indicators). - If switched from Search to Transmit, the Pulse will prompt you for “Rescue Send” which if chosen will take you out of Search but forego transmission until seven minutes pass or lack of large body movements are sense (whichever comes first). Firmware v 3.2 will be available for the Pulse in November.
Sometime in November, I’ll publish a completely new review of the Pulse, starting from scratch (i.e., without all of the historical info on what’s changed with each version). Also in November will be reviews of the new Element (also from Barryvox) and new Pieps DSP Tour.
For now though, a quick summary of what’s new with the 3.2 Pulse:
- The 3.2 Pulse is the first and only beacon to be fully compatible with the use of [non-rechargeable] lithium batteries.
- The digitized Acoustics option will change its tones not only in response to signal strength but also in response to flux line alignment. (The new Element’s digitized-only Acoustics will also have this.)
- The Pulse already offered many options specific to the final search phase for both sound and display. Now yet another display option is the “Landing Strip” (details forthcoming) instead of the dynamic cross (or even keeping on the directional indicators).
- If switched from Search to Transmit, the Pulse will prompt you for “Rescue Send” which if chosen will take you out of Search but forego transmission until seven minutes pass or lack of large body movements are sense (whichever comes first).

]]> By: Jonathan Shefftz http://www.wildsnow.com/1729/barryvox-pulse-beacon-review/comment-page-1/#comment-38753 Jonathan Shefftz Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:21:51 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1729#comment-38753 1. "I bought my tracker in 2002 (ish) and it still seems to work fine when I practice with it. Apparently it should be replaced, agree, disagree?" Two issues here: -- Improved functionality of newer models = all depends on your personal priorities. -- Does an old beacon still work well = there are some tests that you can run, and that reminds me, I should write another post about that... 2. "Is there a half way house tranceiver that has the most useful of the Pulse’s features whilst keeping the simplicity of the Tracker?" Stayed tuned for the review this coming Nov/Dec of the new Element: http://www.wildsnow.com/3982/element-avalanche-beacon-from-barryvox-preview/ Also check out the similar competition from Ortovox (3+: http://www.wildsnow.com/2345/ortovox-3-avalanche-beacon-review/) and Pieps (DSP Tour - just arrived here, so review coming up in a week or so). 1. “I bought my tracker in 2002 (ish) and it still seems to work fine when I practice with it. Apparently it should be replaced, agree, disagree?”
Two issues here:
– Improved functionality of newer models = all depends on your personal priorities.
– Does an old beacon still work well = there are some tests that you can run, and that reminds me, I should write another post about that…

2. “Is there a half way house tranceiver that has the most useful of the Pulse’s features whilst keeping the simplicity of the Tracker?” Stayed tuned for the review this coming Nov/Dec of the new Element: http://www.wildsnow.com/3982/element-avalanche-beacon-from-barryvox-preview/
Also check out the similar competition from Ortovox (3+: http://www.wildsnow.com/2345/ortovox-3-avalanche-beacon-review/) and Pieps (DSP Tour – just arrived here, so review coming up in a week or so).

]]> By: James http://www.wildsnow.com/1729/barryvox-pulse-beacon-review/comment-page-1/#comment-38752 James Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:16:30 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1729#comment-38752 Having read the review, I was impressed by the functionality but somewhat put off by it all. To quote Lou, "I’m really wondering if all this fancy stuff is doing us any good whatsoever." As someone who has always used a tracker I have grown to love the simplicity of it. With this in mind I have two questions: 1) I bought my tracker in 2002 (ish) and it still seems to work fine when I practice with it. Apparently it should be replaced, agree, disagree? 2) Is there a half way house tranceiver that has the most useful of the Pulse's features whilst keeping the simplicity of the Tracker? I wonder whether BCA missed a trick by not including a masking function for multiple burials. Even if they claim it is rarely helpful, it migh be useful one day and to me that is enough of a reason to include it in my book. Thanks for all the advice. James Having read the review, I was impressed by the functionality but somewhat put off by it all. To quote Lou, “I’m really wondering if all this fancy stuff is doing us any good whatsoever.”
As someone who has always used a tracker I have grown to love the simplicity of it. With this in mind I have two questions:
1) I bought my tracker in 2002 (ish) and it still seems to work fine when I practice with it. Apparently it should be replaced, agree, disagree?

2) Is there a half way house tranceiver that has the most useful of the Pulse’s features whilst keeping the simplicity of the Tracker? I wonder whether BCA missed a trick by not including a masking function for multiple burials. Even if they claim it is rarely helpful, it migh be useful one day and to me that is enough of a reason to include it in my book.

Thanks for all the advice.
James

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