G3 & K2 Avalanche Probe Comparo

G3 Speed Tech (top) and K2 Backside Carbon avalanche probes. (Note the color of our G3 tester is the lady's 'Elle' version)

In their stuffsacks, G3 at top. Heard during the shootout: 'My sack is prettier than your sack.' According to onlookers, that one goes to G3 Elle, as it should.

Avy probe flex test. Clear winner, K2 Backside. Both probes in our view are rigid enough. Added rigidity of K2 is most certainly a plus and it's said to be quite strong as well, but larger diameter of K2 may add effort to probing dense snow. Note that the G3 in longer length weighs the same as the K2, while not being as stiff but being thinner diameter which could make it easier to probe with. G3 is constructed with 7000 series tubing aluminum, 12.5 mm outer diameter. K2 is constructed with 13.2 mm outer diameter carbon fiber tube. Both actuate with interior cable, and we assume both use stainless cable (G3 says yes) -- that's important as anything but stainless will corrode due to constant moisture. Using a magnet, I could grab either cable so if they're stainless, it's the type that's still got quite a bit of iron content so I'm not sure just how corrosion resistant it really is. One season usually tells the tale on that one.

Deployment of the K2 Backside probe is interesting and effective. You pull on the handle which slides a smaller diameter section of alu tube out of the probe-proper while also pulling on the interior cable, the alu shaft section eventually slides past a stop button that keeps it from sliding back. If you need more tension, you twist a threaded black knob just below the button (both knob and button visible in photo above). We liked this system. It adds useful length to the probe, has a super positive feel, and nice to have easily adjustable tension. More, gripping a probe can be difficult if you don't have gorilla hands or in the case of wet snow slicking things up. Thus, having a grip such as that of K2 is a plus.

G3 Speed Tech handle and tension mechanism are simple and effective. You pull on the cable handle, when proper tension is reached a swage on the cable drops into a keyhole slot. In a word, elegant. We'd say G3 has the edge here in simplicity and resistance to any sort of icing or mechanical failure, though we like the K2 external tension system. I'd call this one a draw.

Worth mentioning that the K2 handle is designed to nest the probe sections during storage. I found this a bit fiddly, but it works and does reduce bulk if you get it all fit together.

One more issue. We feel avy probe tips need not be sharp, but rather should be somewhat blunt. This to prevent injury to a buried avalanche victim. I'd take a file and blunt both of these, but the K2 needs such modding more than the G3.