26 replies to this topic

[ltd1982]

I use the Mammut Pulse, and have a G3 shovel and probe. I've also had a Voile shovel, and used a couple of Black Diamonds. The Voile was cheap, but pretty heavy and didn't pack well in any of my bags. The G3 and BD's were both of similar weight and ease of use. I mostly went with the G3 stuff because they're located down the street from where I work and the guys that work there are pretty awesome.

There were about a dozen people I work with that recently went out and got the Mammut Elements, and I was able to do some "playing" with them a couple of weeks ago - they are definitely a refined version of the Pulse. Most of the things that I found required more practice to use on the Pulse, just aren't available on the Element (like the suppressing of specific beacons vs the closest) / switching between analog and digital, etc or are more intuitive. Both are solid transceivers, and if they'd both been available when I purchased the Pulse, I don't know which I would have bought...

[leegil]

I all.  I am new to this forum this is my first post.  Be gentle ;-)
I recently purchased the Mammut Pulse Barryvox after doing a lot of research and watching the youtude videos of it being used/tested.  It has not arrived yet but expect it to come in the next week.  It shone very well in the tests without hickup whereas some other top brands would struggle with multiple signals (slight confusion with signals).  
I was going to hang out for the new Pieps Vector but it would not have been shipped to me before I fly to Sapporo (on 1 Feb 2012).  From what I read, the Pieps Vector has GPS which would come in handy.  It has four antennas (three and 1 self analysis antenna) from what I have found on the intenet.  It comes with rechargeable inbuilt batteries that should last a few years before requireing factory replacement -not a feature I like as in Aust, there doesnt seem to be any places that service aval. beacons (because we just don't get that much snow).
Regardless, all three antenna beacons work well.  It seems like they have reached the peak of the intended function with only new bells and whistles being added.  The Mammut Pulse Barryvox can be software updated (like many other brands) so that is helpful for 'future proofing'.
I want to do a lot of backcountry snowboarding in Niseko (and surrounding day trip mountains) and I have 1mth to get my dose of powder fixation.  If you are around then, let me know and we can go BC.

[3decks]

Weclome Leegil,

Im around then, drop me a PM.

3

[leegil]

3decks, Will drop you a PM when I have been provided with access to that function.

I was hoping that my beacon would have arrived by now from overseas but its now lost somewhere between UK and Aust. Grrrr. Both mail service claim they are not at fault but I am still messed around. How can a registered item go missing?

Lucky the UK seller was happy for me to buy another one and have it sent to my accommodation in Hirafu. The 'lost' one will either get returned or refunded if it does not show up (so I'm not out of pocket). The seller is pretty helpful there.

[keywe]

I've got the older Opto3000 Mammut. It's one of the only ones with dual analog and digital in the same transciever when I was buying. I had a fully digital one before that and decided the extra range from the analog might be useful, you can set it to use both though so if digital is in range it will use that.

Def need a probe and shovel too though ;O)

[leegil]

I have been playing with mobile apps and many have GPS capability. This is also one of the reasons why I did not buy the Pieps Vector. GPS capable smartphones provide you with the ability to make an emergency call at the same time as being able to provide GPS coordinates. No point having coordinates if you cannot tell someone about it.

They even have 'slope/gradient' apps. I just have to remember to switch off the data roaming. I would never travel backcountry without a mobile (assuming coverage is possible). Comes in handy with a beacon.

[leegil]

Ha! If I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all. The missing Mammut Pulse beacon finally showed up (in Aust) and the replacement one I bought has just arrived into Kutchan. Now I'm going to have to send one of these suckers back for my refund. Grrr, unnecessary cost and hassle. Good news, the Avalung sling arrived so at least something is going my way. It will be interesting to see how both of these fit together (comfort when wearing both of them). Will require some adjustment so that they are not overlapping when worn.

At least I know how to use all the gear. I am really hoping that the Avy course that I booked goes ahead on 7-8 Feb. Just pending confirmation of other participants (numbers). It would be a shame if it doesn't go ahead.