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Nick (AT)
Joined: 12 Dec 2004
Posts: 3140
Location: A Brit on the Columbia
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 Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:46 am Post subject: |
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I realize that the settings are all software.
It just doesn't give me confidence that this isn't a rushed launch - which shouldn't be the case given how long it is since it was initially (almost) launched.
I suppose the reason I care it that I think the KISS principle is the right one for a beacon.
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Nick (AT)
We are not an endangered species ourselves yet, but this is not for lack of trying. (Douglas Adams) |
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Jonathan S
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Posts: 1499
Location: Amherst, Mass.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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I don't see any indications that this is a rush launch. If anything, it sure seems to be the opposite.
And the beacon definitely still adheres to the KISS principle, if anything even more so, as the "SP" button is now so small and discreet as to be almost deliberately deemphasized.
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Cowboy
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 132
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:24 am Post subject: |
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Bruce, good seeing you in Leadville. Also, nice work with the new beacon, as I said, I'm impressed.
I'm still running one of the old one's from when I was with Cummings around 97 or 98. Works exactly the same as when I got it but I think it's time for an upgrade.
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Brett Kobernik
UAC |
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Jonathan S
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Posts: 1499
Location: Amherst, Mass.
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:30 am Post subject: |
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| Cowboy wrote: | | I'm still running one of the old one's from when I was with Cummings around 97 or 98. |
Interesting to think back to what ski gear from the late 1990s could still be used today and not seem woefully out of date:
-- Dynafit TLT IV bindings
-- BD Traverse flicklock poles
-- Ascension skins
-- Scarpa Laser (modified with stiffer tongue, thermo liners, and booster strap)
-- Camp aluminum crampons
-- Tracker beacon
So I took my T2 demo unit to an avalanche refresher course I was teaching on Sunday. Very positive reaction overall to it. (Though I'm not getting into the signal separation / marking debate now.) As a current Tracker user remarked, "they made it even more idiot proof -- I never thought that was possible."
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Snowman
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 791
Location: Ask Heisenberg
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:03 am Post subject: |
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While it's interesting to look back that far and see equipment such as the Tracker that is still useful today I think it's even more interesting to look back just a little further. Tracker was the first digital beacon on the market, and if you go back just a couple years or so further you probably remember things like teaching the grid pattern.
That seems archaic today, and things have progressed a long way.
Jim
Avalanche Institute
Avalanche Center
AlpenPro
Last edited by Snowman on Fri Jan 01, 2010 11:53 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Hacksaw
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Posts: 3528
Location: Golden CO
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:35 am Post subject: |
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| Snowman wrote: | ....and if you go back just a couple years or so further you probably remember things like teaching the grid pattern.
That seems archaic today, and things have progressed a long way.
Jim |
I still end up teaching the grid method and it is still the best method for deep burials...
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Snowman
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 791
Location: Ask Heisenberg
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:34 am Post subject: |
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It's often still the best approach for the pin-point phase, but for the second phase where you are still covering some distance it seems archaic. Not only that, but walking back and forth a significant distance to mark fade points is rather awkward with digital beacons. It works and can be done, but it's awkward. The only reason I've ever had to try it was curiosity.
Of course the best pin-point method is a probe.
Teaching beacon use today takes much less time and produces much better results, which leaves time for other material in a course that is already crowded with content.
And not only did we need to do the grid pattern on the second phase of the search, we had a manual volume control with a limited number of settings. Four on the dual frequencies, if you want to go back that far.
So I do think the progress is remarkable. Although I'd also agree that there are first generation digital beacons that are still useful today, without being "woefully out of date" as Jonathan phrased it.
Jim
Avalanche Institute
Avalanche Center
AlpenPro
Last edited by Snowman on Fri Jan 01, 2010 11:53 am; edited 1 time in total |
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christian :?)
Joined: 17 Dec 2004
Posts: 2510
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:32 am Post subject: Re: Tracker2 update from BCA |
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| edge wrote: | | We'll be testing each one individually as they come off the line, to make sure there are no surprises. |
Bruce:
Serious props to you and your guys/gals for one: not pulling the trigger too early, and two: for doing the right thing. The tracker has always been the idiot proof (no offense) beacon that has probably saved more lives than is credited.
And to the other poster - I've got a shitton of days on my S1, and now with 3 firmware upgrades and 2 units, not only do I see that as an asset, but as a necessity for a modern piece of technology that you need to trust lives on, that's why the edge deserves it - remember folks, when we have to use these, there are lives on the line. Your computer can crash, but your transciever cannot. It may not be you, and hopefully it doesn't drive your decision making, but my beacon and I have an almost sexual relationship- it's been through a bunch of orgasmic experiences with me.
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Hacksaw
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Posts: 3528
Location: Golden CO
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| Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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Today the Bentgate guys told me the Tracker 2 won't be out until sometime in January....
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Missing Link
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Posts: 276
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 4:42 am Post subject: |
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Lets presume I have a 3 antenna beacon. Doesn't the 3 antenna make doing a grid on deep burials unnecessary?
I suppose "deep" would need to be defined as the 3rd antenna does have limitations.
ML |
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Jonathan S
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Posts: 1499
Location: Amherst, Mass.
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Missing Link wrote: | | Doesn't the 3 antenna make doing a grid on deep burials unnecessary? |
No, a grid search is still necessary -- the 3rd antenna just makes the grid search easier by eliminating nonsensical distance readings (i.e., nulls & spikes).
Furthermore, all three-antenna beacons shut down their directional displays at either 2m or 3m (depending on the model). The only exception is the Pulse, which can be programmed to retain its directional indicator down to 0.3m, but Barryvox advises against this.
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meadow skipper
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 224
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| Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Jonathan S wrote: | | Missing Link wrote: | | Doesn't the 3 antenna make doing a grid on deep burials unnecessary? |
No, a grid search is still necessary -- the 3rd antenna just makes the grid search easier by eliminating nonsensical distance readings (i.e., nulls & spikes).
Furthermore, all three-antenna beacons shut down their directional displays at either 2m or 3m (depending on the model). The only exception is the Pulse, which can be programmed to retain its directional indicator down to 0.3m, but Barryvox advises against this. |
Guys, keep in mind that when you say "Grid Search" it can be commonly interpreted as what used to be THE ENTIRE SEARCH PROCESS. I use the term "bracketing" at the pinpoint phase (or Fine Search Phase as it is now called) to eliminate any confusion with these terms. |
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brycejr
Joined: 04 Feb 2009
Posts: 19
Location: Santa Fe, NM
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| Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 4:53 am Post subject: Dec. 22 |
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Back to the original question from two years ago: Dec. 22, 2009. That's when we're getting our first (limited) shipment of Tracker 2s. That's Tuesday, folks.
Merry Christmas!
Bryce
www.randogear.com
www.avalanchetools.com |
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jarlybart
Joined: 07 Nov 2005
Posts: 4873
Location: Kicking it Wet-Coast style...Oregonian style that is ;-)
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| Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 5:02 am Post subject: Re: Dec. 22 |
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| brycejr wrote: | Back to the original question from two years ago: Dec. 22, 2009. That's when we're getting our first (limited) shipment of Tracker 2s. That's Tuesday, folks.
Merry Christmas!
Bryce
www.randogear.com
www.avalanchetools.com |
Funny cause we got that answer from BCA...two years ago 
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brycejr
Joined: 04 Feb 2009
Posts: 19
Location: Santa Fe, NM
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| Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 5:28 am Post subject: |
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BCA said Friday that they were sending us a box of Tracker 2s and then emailed us a tracking number, for a box that is in transit with a scheduled arrival of Dec. 22. It seems pretty solid to me.
But maybe you're right and it's just a funny practical joke. |
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