Avalanches transceivers

prunudo

All this talk of unstable snow pack has got me thinking about buying a transceiver. I don't go far into the backcountry (but may in the future with guides) At the moment it's only at the edge of piste kind of stuff but the more I read the more foolish I feel I've been. Now I know that YouTube and reading articles is no substitute for a proper avalanche course but I'd like to get the gear first so I can become familiar with it at home first before signing up to a course.
I've read a bit online and had a look at other sites and have come up with these options, what do you guys think?

Ortovox zoom €249,
good entry level, seems easy to use but you can't 'mark' mutiple burials.

http://www.blue-tomato.com/en-IE/product/Ortovox-Avalanche+Rescue+Set+Zoom-301167019-sulphur?back=o74Y_Q

Pieps dsp sport €299,
looks easy to use, has mark function but doesn't auto revert to transit mode if no movement (handy for secondary avalanche while digging out first victim)

http://www.blue-tomato.com/en-IE/product/Pieps-Set+Sport-301193386-uni?back=1AUGeA

Ortovox s3 €349
seems the better option although there are some mixed reviews regarding inconsistent searches also minor thing but don't think the shovel collapses as small as the others.

http://www.blue-tomato.com/en-IE/product/Ortovox-Avalanche+Rescue+Set+3+-301167018-blue+green?back=o74Y-Q

Initially I thought the zoom would be ideal, beginner friendly and a good price(not that cost should be a factor) but is the lack of a 'mark' function a problem or should I just be more concerned about digging and not worried about complicating features.

Also do they ever organise practice beacon searches up in Kilternan or would I have to do this in resort?

Sorry for the long post, just looking for people's opinions?

CardinalJ

A lot of the time if you're going off piste with a guide/lessons they will provide you with a transceiver/shovel.

I'm in no position to suggest which of those is most appropriate but I'm sure someone will be along.

It's funny, most if any off piste I do is in between slopes or at the edge of resorts. I'm off to Austria on Saturday and wary of going anywhere that's not pisted!

Fattes

I would go with the BCAA tracker 2 it's the easiest transceiver to use with limited experience. If you want practice with it let me know I can sort something for you.

The mammut pulse is print the best transceiver on the market but you need lots of practice to get used to it

prunudo

Cheers Fattes, I saw another one too, Mammut Element which I presume is the little brother of the pulse. I might give you a shout about practicing at some stage if that's ok.

Fattes

Feel free my dad and wife will be doing a bit of it in Dublin between now && March if you need some practice.

Forgot about the element yep it's the Pulses little brother really nice transceiver. The reason I suggest the BCA Tracker 2 is it is much more instinctive and soimpler to use than most others. & when you are not using it that much that becomes really important

prunudo

Cheers, I'll pm you when I get one sorted, I'm in Wicklow so should be easy to meet up them.