Backcountry Access Tracker DTS Beacon

This is the first beacon I, chose this after reading many a review and am very happy with it. The strap get kind of uncomfortable after a day and the multiple search function is useless, but I knew that before I bought it. I spent several days in a transceiver pit and generally the tracker lead me directly to where I wanted to go. With single searches the tracker worked much faster than the F1 my partner was using, and he's much more experienced than I using it, when doing multiple searches we used the range adjustment on his to null out unwanted signals and hone in on the new one, then my tracker to find it. For the record after seeing a novice like me use the tracker and get repeated accuracy he has ordered one also.
One thing I did keep forgetting to do was activate the Auto revert mode when I switched it on, worth noting

This little beacon is about as good as it gets. Turn it on, strap it on, and forget about it. The harness is pretty comfortable, and when you need to use it you'll be thankful they put it on a leash. Thankfully I have never had a need for this little guy in a real world scenario, but having done practice drills with it, I can't imagine improving on its method. Every time I go out and practice with other experienced beacon users, the people with Trackers are always there first. Thats mostly due to the dual antenna design and the way that they pick up the transmitting beacon and zero in on the flux line.

If you are looking for a lifeline in the backcountry, this is it. As with all safety gear, learn to use it before you go trusting your life or others with it.

There has been some positive and negative about this beacon, having used the Ortovox F1 and the new S1. I'm set on this beacon. Are there advantages to a super expensive beacon like the S1 sure but what you sacrifice (processing speed) is not worth the extra dough. I don't need a thermometer, inclinometer and compass. I need to find my buddy fast. This beacon does the job and it has done it a little too well. That is why you see companies throwing meaningless extras onto their beacons. There are advantages to a 3rd antennae that you don't get with this beacon (wait for the tracker 2 - january 2009,if all goes well). The DTS simply is the best, most reliable and easiest to use around. This is more than adequate for any backcountry enthusiast who has had any sort of. Stay safe!

The Tracker is one of the best beacon options on the market today. Unless you are practicing beacon searches on a daily basis (i.e. ski patrol), this is the product you want for any and all of your winter backcountry adventures. The digital display and direction lights are extremely intuitive, and in a highly pressured situation, you won't be wasting extra time in evaluating your beacon's responses. It is fast and easy to get in and out of search mode, and teaching yourself the basics on this one is about as straight-forward as it gets. A beacon that is truly idiot-proof. The beacon's range is slightly less then that of other brands but if you are following proper avi protocol, that should not be an issue- with point last seen etc. Batteries last a long time, and straps are easy to use and release.

This is the most logical choice of all the beacons. The Pieps is nice and all, but if you are carrying this for the slim chance you will need it, then lets be real. I have had this beacon for years and aside from replacing the batteries at the start of the season I have had no issue. It is durable, easy to use, and simple to operate even in the toughest situation. If you are looking to get the best bang for your buck, then this is the answer and I just don't see the need to spend another two hundred dollars on something you hopefully wont have to use. However, if you need it, and are in the situation where you need to use it, this device will be reliable and simple as long as you practice before you play.

I have found this beacon to be easy to use and understand. The ortovox beacon that I had previously was not nearly as user friendly as the tracker. With it's digital distance display and tracker light direction indicators I found that with a little bit of practice this beacon is easy to use and works well when working to find buried beacons or skiing partners in a hurry. It is simple easy to use and easy to learn how to use. The only aspect that was a little weird is the carrying system. It has a holster that is pretty bulky and can be pretty annoying with a backpace, radio, and whatever else you may have buried in those jacket pockets. I have since gotten used to the system and am quite happy with it. Hope this helps.

I've got two of these, One for me, one for my girlfriend. They rock and are easy to use.

My Public Service Announcement: If you turn it on, and the battery meter (those two numbers) reads anything less than 30, especially if you've had it in a warm car, REPLACE THOSE BATTERIES. Less than 30 or so is effectively zero...

(dorky explination here: The battery meter is actually a volt meter of the battery. New 1.5v batteries give off like 1.7v or so, older ones give off 1.3 or so. The Tracker guestimates the amount of battery life left on the voltage. The lower the voltage, the less accurate this measurement is.)

Batteries are cheap! Your life isn't! Thank you, carry on.

Also, Don't store the thing over summer with batteries in it.

Just got finished using this during a 3-day backcountry outing in BC. A few thoughts:

Pros:
Rugged construction. It seems unlikely that this will break easily if you are caught in a slide.
Big membrane button is easy to use with gloves.
LED directional lights are obvious and simple to follow.

Cons:
At about 40-45 meters it loses the signal. Sometimes it drops even earlier.
It will follow the flux lines, so when first getting the signal you will likely be lead in the wrong direction.
Within 5m I was surprised how erratic it was. You must hold the device close to the snow and keep it oriented in one direction.

That said, I still think the Tracker is fine device and if you train with it you'll quickly learn it's quirks.

This beacon is incredibly easy to use. Put it in the hands of someone who's never used a beacon before and they'll figure it out in two minutes. Practice with it regularly and you get incredibly fast.

It has lackluster support multiple-burial situations (the importance of which is a hot debate I won't go in to here), just be warned if that's important to you. Otherwise make sure to read the manual and turn off beacons as you find them.

The harness is much improved over the old version. It's a little bulky, but not uncomfortable.

Bottom line, I use this and all my partners do as well. I'm willing to trust my life to it and so are they.

I have been fortunate in my travels throughout the backcountry to have never had to use one of these little devices for it's intended purpose (ie. your buddy's buried.) But I wear it nearly every day, even when I'm inbounds, and it is not cumbersome at all, the harness keeps it right where you want it; both out of the way and easy to access. In all of the beacon practice drills that I have done I have used many different beacons from many different companies, and while the adage 'the best beacon is the one you know how to use' still stands, this one seems to be the most intuitive, easy to learn beacon out there.