Bottom line
Ortovox Patroller Digital beacon provides a very good value for the money you pay. Distance and direction indicators aid in your search while LED light lets you know about multiple burials. Its range is smaller than the most advanced digital beacons but on par with its main rival – Backcountry Access Tracker DTS.
Use(r) suitability
The Patroller Digital beacon is super easy to use, therefore especially suitable for novice and less experienced users. And for rental purposes and recreational operations too (heli-skiing, snowmobiling, cat-skiing). Or, since its prices allows it, keep it as an extra beacon at home to lend to an occasional friend/family touring partner that have little to no experience; you will not have to spend an hour explaining the function.
Product description
The Ortovox Patroller is easy to use with providing clear visual distance and directional feedback to the user. It’s also simple to operate – turning it on and switching between transmit and search modes is quite obvious.
The 3 antennas and a micro processor make locating and pinpointing victims easy even for the novice. The search ranges are smaller compared to the top digital beacons but comparable with any other beacon in its price range.
When searching, an LED display shows the relative distance and LED arrow hints the direction in which you need to be moving.
In multiple burial scenario the beacon will pick the strongest signal for you and will lead you to that victim first. It will also indicate, via an LED light, when it is receiving more than one signal.
The Ortovox Patroller does not have a marking function like more advanced digital avalanche beacons, hence the price.
Technical info
- Avalanche beacon type: digital
- Search user feedback: distance indicator, directional arrow, beeps
- Multiple burials: visual indicator light
- Marking (flagging) function: no
- No. of antennas: 3
- Maximum range: up to 40m
- Search lane width: 30m
- Additional features: none
- Carrying system: one belt system, included with the beacon
- Battery life: around 300h in transmit mode
- Battery type: 2 x alkaline AA
- Dimensions: 130 x 80 x 25 mm
- Weight: 247g including batteries and belt system
- Warranty: 5 years