Avalanche Beacons

We carry the largest selection of avalanche beacons (avalanche transceivers) on the Internet. Our most popular models are: Ortovox D3, Backcounty Access Tracker DTS, Ortovox S1 and Pieps DSP. Avalanche beacons are an essential part of any avalanche safety equipment package. Quality avalanche probe and snow shovel are also essential.

Sort by: Default Order Price: Low to High Price: High to Low
	Ortovox D3 avalanche beacon Ortovox D3 is very easy to use, making it the perfect avalanche beacon for any beginner. The D3 has the best price/performance ratio of all beacons on the market. It is a fully digital, triple antenna beacon, with a multiple burial indicator. Its search range is 40 meters. » Buy / More Info	$319.95
	Pieps DSP avalanche beacon The Pieps DSP avalanche beacon is one of the best beacons on the market today. The Pieps DSP is more affordable than the Ortovox S1 while still delivering a constant 50m search-strip width in all directions and multiple burial search functionality with flagging. » Buy / More Info	$489.95
	Ortovox S1 2.1 avalanche beacon Ortovox S1 (2.1) is currently the most advanced avalanche beacon in the world. The 2.1 version is a significantly enhanced S1 and makes multiple burial scenarios easier to handle than any other beacon in the world. It displays multiple victims simultaneously on its big LCD screen. » Buy / More Info	$549.95
	Ortovox Patroller avalanche beacon Ortovox Patroller combines analogue and digital technology in one package. It is very easy to use with a range of up to 70m. Distance readings and directional arrows kick in within a range of 40m. The Ortovox Patroller is a triple antenna avalanche beacon / transceiver. » Buy / More Info	$309.95 $299.95
	Pieps Freeride Pieps Freeride is a minimalist one antenna avalanche transceiver weighing only 110g. Great for out of bounds skiing and boarding. The Freeride is as small as a cell phone and its low price gives no excuses for anyone wandering out of bounds without an avalanche beacon. » Buy / More Info	$219.95
	Backcountry Access Tracker DTS avalanche beacon Very easy to use. Suitable for users that don't practice a lot (and beginners). The Tracker is older than ist biggest competitor Ortovox's D3 and the price reflects that. In recent years the Tracker DTS has become the North America's best-selling avalanche transceiver. » Buy / More Info	$294.95
	Ortovox M2 avalanche beacon Must go - only two left! Ortovox M2 works on analogue technology that gives this avalanche beacon the longest search range. This beacon is very popular among avalanche professionals and experienced users that practice their searches regularly. » Buy / More Info	$299.95 $279.95
	Ortovox F1 avalanche beacon The Ortovox F1 Focus is the leader in analog technology as well as the best selling avalanche beacon in history. Digital beacons took over the "less experienced users market" but the F1 is a long-standing favorite with professionals because of its reliability and simplicity. » Buy / More Info	$264.95
	Backcountry Access Tracker 2 avalanche beacon BCA Tracker 2 is the company's newest addition to the avalanche beacons market. It retains the easy to use features of the older Tracker DTS but it's faster and displays the search progress in real-time. » Buy / More Info	$359.95
	ARVA Ortovox D3 - French translation Ortovox D3 est un appareil de recherche de victimes en avalanche (ARVA) entièrement numérique à trois antennes, doté d’un indicateur multi-victimes. Avec une portée jusqu’à 40 mètres et facile à utiliser, le D3 est le parfait ARVA pour le débutant. » Buy / More Info	$319.95

Selecting the right avalanche beacon / transceiver:

Selecting the right beacon for you can be a daunting task because there is a large range of avalanche beacons and several different operating technologies. An avalanche beacon is the most important piece of life saving equipment in an avalanche rescue scenario. It is essential to understand the workings and principals behind avalanche beacon technology before you can choose the right one for you.

Operating Frequency:

It is essential to consider a beacons operating frequency before making a new or used beacon purchase. All new avalanche beacons transmit and search at an operating frequency of 457khz. This is an international standard that is followed in every country of the world. Please note that some older beacons will not be compatible with any new models, read more about this issue: Avalanche beacons - frequency drift.

Analog, digital and dual beacons / transceivers:

Avalanche beacons are separated into 2 general categories: analog and digital.

Analog avalanche beacons use a single antenna to receive the signal. A purely analog beacon operates by way of an audible sound that is often referred to as a "beep" or "sonar" sound. As you move closer to the victim the signal strength increases and the "beep" gets louder. Analog transceivers can use digital processing to provide distance and alignment information to the searcher. This information is usually relayed by way of a visual indicator on the top of the beacon made out of LED lights. The Orotovox M2 is arguably the best analog beacon on the market today.

Digital avalanche beacons use a dual or triple antenna system to receive a signal. A microprocessor sorts out the information from the antenna to provide distance and directional information to the searcher. Digital beacons usually combine a sonar sound and a directional visual display.

Some beacons are known as dual analog/digital beacons. These beacons utilize the long range of the analog signal for the initial search and then switch over to a digital signal for the final close range part of the search. The Ortovox X1 is an example of a dual analog/digital beacon.

Our testing and experience show that digital beacons are more user friendly and intuitive to use, especially for beginners and novices. We found that people with little or no training were able to use the Ortovox D3 digital beacon to perform a fast and accurate search. This being said there are advantages to analog avalanche beacons. Many professionals rely on the Ortovox M2 transceiver. The sonar "beeping" sound of the analog beacon is real time and the battery life lasts significantly longer.