Tracker DTS

Yup, the blurb says it correctly, this is one easy beacon to use. The direct search recommended by the manufacturer, which puts total trust in the distance meter and directional indicator, will indeed lead you to the target.



I have done the so-called "tangential" search, where you follow constant-field-strength curves into the target.



Paradoxically, I find it difficult to do anything but the direct search using the beacon's features. The arrows and LED distance is too much to resist. You have to "trust" the beacon--anathema to some purists, who consider grid searches the only way to go. If I ever get the time (unlikely), I'll do some systematic tests, where I try a variety of search techniques, for a variety of burial depths and orientations.



A mundane weakness: If anyone figures out that silly strap system, let me know! Much worse than a fouled climbing harness.



I was in the Vancouver MEC in December, 2001, and I noticed much lower prices on beacons in particular. Starting at around $200 CDN! Much lower than the exchange rate gap alone. May check it out if you have a chance.

Luckly this is the one piece of gear that I've never had to "really" use. I did, however, work in a gear shop where I got to play with several different beacons.



Without question this was much easier to use than anything I could find. The arrows were easy to follow and right on every time. It really saved alot of time instead of using time consuming search grids and differentiating between a weak signal and a weaker signal.



Having worn it on several long trips I can say that I never even knew that it was there.

I used one of these during rescue training a couple of years ago. In general, I didn't find it much faster than a tangential search but it was easier.



A couple of problems I did have with it: The receiving range is shorter than the analog receivers. In our tests, it was about 25 meters compared to others picking up a signal at around 30-35 meters.



The other problem was using it when there are multiple signals. As you cross the signal fields, the receiver will switch between the signals which means it will tell you to go one direction, you take a couple of steps and it tells you to go in another. Moral of this story is to use your brain and don't blindly follow the arrow.

This is the best beacon on the market. My only drawback is that it's a little awkward to search with when it's strapped to you. The 2005 model (which I bought for my wife) has corrected this with an easy release system to search.

This is the quickest and easiest-to-use beacon out there. Has great functions for protecting against user error. Long battery life with battery indicator, will transmit many hours after at 1% battery. Works well for multiple burials, very correct distance measuring, and simple directional indicators. I've played with a few different brands and had to purchase this one.

Much easier than the analogs I first trained on! I haven't used it in multiple burial scenarios, so I don't have anything to say about that, but it kicks butt in single search. Thanks heavens I've never had to use it in a real rescue.

Amazing device but the unit seems to sag on my chest, no matter how I adjust it. It's too heavy for the straps. Mine was 1999 mgf.

Pretty easy unit to use. I like the multiple search feature. I compared it to my buddy's Ortovox, and it blew it's doors off as far as being easy to use.
Lucky for me and my buddies, there is a BCA Beacon park on our local hill, so every year we spend a few hours there getting as much practice in until we feel confident in out abilities.