Got my Avy Gear. So how'd I do? - Snowboarding Forum

Triple8Sol · 11-24-2010, 10:01 PM

Avy Gear = ✓

So I did a little research and this is what I put together on a budget. I want the Black Diamond Outlaw Avalung pack, but prob next season. Using my trusty old Dakine Heli Pack for now. Works ok since I've got the water bladder, and it's pretty low-profile with just enough room for the avy gear + an extra pair of gloves and goggles and a few other small items.

BCA Tracker 2 beacon
BCA Traverse EXT shovel
BCA SR3 300cm probe

So what do you think...did I do alright?

nzboardlife · 11-25-2010, 04:28 AM

Nice! i have the same probe and it hasn't failed me yet (3 seasons of practise use). Glad to see you didnt go with one of the more budget probes as ive seen some people do! You will be happy you went with the long handled shovel aswell.

Triple8Sol · 11-25-2010, 12:27 PM

For anyone that's shopping: Evo and Backcountry have most of their avy gear on sale for 20% off right now.

Def wanted a metal shovel. Also avoided ones with a huge blade, which wouldn't fit in my pack. Wanted the extendable handle to be easier on my back and give more digging power and positions. I do prefer the ones like this with an ovalized or rectangular handle for faster deployment and strength. Quick question: when you store the shovel in your pack, do you separate the handle from the blade?

The difference b/w a budget 200cm probe and this one was like $15, so pretty negligible. Figured longer the better, esp since I'll be checking out the slackcountry in CO and UT this year too. I'm not worried about a few grams, so wasn't sure if going up another level to carbon was worth it though.

oneshot · 11-25-2010, 01:14 PM

BCA Tracker 2 beacon

the trackers are some of the easiest to use and navigate with.. i'll never get anything different.

Zee · 11-25-2010, 04:34 PM

Good setup! I wanted a Tracker 2 back in '08, it was on the MEC website and I ordered it, but they never did get it in until late last season... I ended up with a Pieps DSP.

read this for a laugh...
http://www.snowboardingforum.com/bac...-2-beacon.html

My son wants to do the dive next season, so I'll probably pick up either the Ortovox 3+, the Tracker 2 or the Arva 3 Axes for him.

linvillegorge · 11-25-2010, 10:01 PM

I separate my shovel blade from the handle when I pack it. I also use the Dakine Heli Pro and that's the only way my shovel fits.

Zee · 11-25-2010, 11:32 PM

Might want to consider a different shovel, the BCA one is prone to breaking where the handle meets the shovel.

Backcountry Access Traverse EXT Shovel - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available

Triple8Sol · 11-26-2010, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zee

Might want to consider a different shovel, the BCA one is prone to breaking where the handle meets the shovel.

Backcountry Access Traverse EXT Shovel - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available

Hmm...those reviews are disconcerting. I guess we'll see how it goes when I use it to build kickers and when I take the level 1 course sometime next mo. hopefully. Luckily I got it from Backcountry so at least it'll be easy to return/exchange.

DrnknZag · 11-26-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple8Sol

Hmm...those reviews are disconcerting. I guess we'll see how it goes when I use it to build kickers and when I take the level 1 course sometime next mo. hopefully. Luckily I got it from Backcountry so at least it'll be easy to return/exchange.

I was looking at the same shovel and been kinda weary about those reviews too. I think I'm leaning toward the Black Diamond Transfer 7 (Black Diamond Transfer 7 Shovel from Backcountry.com), which actually looks like it has a longer handle than the BCA one.

Triple8Sol · 11-26-2010, 04:58 PM

The Black Diamond Transfer 3 is prob what I'd get if this one ends up failing.

11-24-2010, 10:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Triple8Sol Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 3,686 Blog Entries: 1	Got my Avy Gear. So how'd I do? Avy Gear = ✓ So I did a little research and this is what I put together on a budget. I want the Black Diamond Outlaw Avalung pack, but prob next season. Using my trusty old Dakine Heli Pack for now. Works ok since I've got the water bladder, and it's pretty low-profile with just enough room for the avy gear + an extra pair of gloves and goggles and a few other small items. BCA Tracker 2 beacon BCA Traverse EXT shovel BCA SR3 300cm probe So what do you think...did I do alright? __________________ 14 NeverSummer Proto HD . 13 Never Summer Cobra . 12 Gnu Rider's Choice C2PTX 14 Now Drive . 13 Now IPO 13 NB x 686 580 Last edited by Triple8Sol; 11-24-2010 at 10:07 PM.

11-25-2010, 12:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
Triple8Sol Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 3,686 Blog Entries: 1	For anyone that's shopping: Evo and Backcountry have most of their avy gear on sale for 20% off right now. Def wanted a metal shovel. Also avoided ones with a huge blade, which wouldn't fit in my pack. Wanted the extendable handle to be easier on my back and give more digging power and positions. I do prefer the ones like this with an ovalized or rectangular handle for faster deployment and strength. Quick question: when you store the shovel in your pack, do you separate the handle from the blade? The difference b/w a budget 200cm probe and this one was like $15, so pretty negligible. Figured longer the better, esp since I'll be checking out the slackcountry in CO and UT this year too. I'm not worried about a few grams, so wasn't sure if going up another level to carbon was worth it though. __________________ 14 NeverSummer Proto HD . 13 Never Summer Cobra . 12 Gnu Rider's Choice C2PTX 14 Now Drive . 13 Now IPO 13 NB x 686 580 Last edited by Triple8Sol; 11-25-2010 at 12:45 PM.

11-25-2010, 01:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
oneshot Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: PAC NW Posts: 636	BCA Tracker 2 beacon the trackers are some of the easiest to use and navigate with.. i'll never get anything different. __________________ http://oneshotproduction.net Helping Old Dudes Look Kooky Since 2005

11-25-2010, 04:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Zee -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 1,423	Good setup! I wanted a Tracker 2 back in '08, it was on the MEC website and I ordered it, but they never did get it in until late last season... I ended up with a Pieps DSP. read this for a laugh... http://www.snowboardingforum.com/bac...-2-beacon.html My son wants to do the dive next season, so I'll probably pick up either the Ortovox 3+, the Tracker 2 or the Arva 3 Axes for him. __________________ The Never Summer SL-R is the best all mountain board I have been on... Ever. Buy it... Ride it... Love it...

11-25-2010, 11:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
Zee -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 1,423	Might want to consider a different shovel, the BCA one is prone to breaking where the handle meets the shovel. Backcountry Access Traverse EXT Shovel - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available __________________ The Never Summer SL-R is the best all mountain board I have been on... Ever. Buy it... Ride it... Love it...

11-25-2010, 04:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
nzboardlife -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,076	Nice! i have the same probe and it hasn't failed me yet (3 seasons of practise use). Glad to see you didnt go with one of the more budget probes as ive seen some people do! You will be happy you went with the long handled shovel aswell.

11-25-2010, 10:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
linvillegorge Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Evergreen, CO Posts: 4,540	I separate my shovel blade from the handle when I pack it. I also use the Dakine Heli Pro and that's the only way my shovel fits.

11-26-2010, 04:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
Triple8Sol Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 3,686 Blog Entries: 1	The Black Diamond Transfer 3 is prob what I'd get if this one ends up failing. __________________ 14 NeverSummer Proto HD . 13 Never Summer Cobra . 12 Gnu Rider's Choice C2PTX 14 Now Drive . 13 Now IPO 13 NB x 686 580

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