Used Avalanche Beacons

Get a used one? That's like buying a used seat belt. Do some homework, find out who your nearest avy center is. Ask them.

Steep and cheap / backcountry.com and eBay could be a source.

I wouldn't buy used unless it was from a close friend. Hope this helps.
 
13724987:JumpedUpJerrys said:
Get a used one? That's like buying a used seat belt. Do some homework, find out who your nearest avy center is. Ask them.

Steep and cheap / backcountry.com and eBay could be a source.

I wouldn't buy used unless it was from a close friend. Hope this helps.
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Really? I mean if it works it works. I don't really understand your analogy most people never have to use their beacons for anything except practice.
 
13725631:Casey said:
Really? I mean if it works it works. I don't really understand your analogy most people never have to use their beacons for anything except practice.
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I agree, I'm just saying I wouldn't a life saving device to not work because of negligent care etc.
 
Ive got a tracker 2 i have no use for anymore. 1 season of use. Batteries always removed. Perfect and easy to use 3 antenna beacon. Pm me.
 
It looks like you are in CO. BCA has a garage sale this time of year where they sell the beacons from last year that the Loveland Ski Patrol used. They look over them. A couple years ago I got a Tracker 2 for either $100 or $125.
 
Thanks for the feedback. We're trying to get some info for our gear buy/sell/trading site. I think a used beacon section would be worth it given the availability and potential demand.
 
13725631:Casey said:
Really? I mean if it works it works. I don't really understand your analogy most people never have to use their beacons for anything except practice.
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Really?! That's such a kook thing to say... You NEVER know when you'll need to use a beacon and they're definitely NOT just for practice. Please take a level 1 course or stay out of the backcountry.

AND you never know what has happened to a used beacon before you bought it. If it's been dropped or improperly taken care of than you're fucked because the internal antennas are very sensitive. So if I was your friend, I'd punch you in the balls...
 
13728650:MadSteezin said:
Really?! That's such a kook thing to say... You NEVER know when you'll need to use a beacon and they're definitely NOT just for practice. Please take a level 1 course or stay out of the backcountry.

AND you never know what has happened to a used beacon before you bought it. If it's been dropped or improperly taken care of than you're fucked because the internal antennas are very sensitive. So if I was your friend, I'd punch you in the balls...
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I don't think you read what I said very carefully there bud. Take a breath and count to ten...
 
He's referring to beacon search practice, in most states with heavy BC traffic avalanche centers and ski resorts build special areas with hidden beacons for people to practice beacon search techniques safely. He's referring to that as practice not someone sitting on their couch pretending to use it. In those areas you can also determine whether or not your beacon works properly. He is right that majority of users will never have to use their beacon for anything other than practice, hopefully.

To the OP

Buying a used beacon is not that crazy of an idea, a large majority of beacons were lightly used buy individuals who bought BC safety gear, went out for an avy1 or BC 101 type course and realized they'd rather spend their time skiing inbounds.

There's a bunch of articles online talking about the differences between different beacons, fair warning though, it's really easy to get overwhelmed by all of the different specs. Personally I use a pieps, largely because that's what I borrowed from a friend to take all of my avy training. The reality is the best beacon is the one you are most comfortable using.
 
13724987:JumpedUpJerrys said:
Get a used one? That's like buying a used seat belt.
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A used seatbelt is much better than no seatbelt. If it functions properly it's probably as good as a brand new one.
 
I will never buy a used beacon. Even if it only buys seconds of time I will pay the cost vs having the thought my used beacon didn't work well enough and my partner/co worker died.

And it's worth mentioning again with ski season just around the corner that no piece of avi gear is worth anything without the proper practice or knowledge.
 
the antenna inside the beacon is actually rather fragile. Over time, old beacons will develop signal fade... this is pronounced on older beacons with only one antenna.

I would be wary of buying an old beacon., because of this. I have seen beacons with a signal fade before, and it's shocking how far off they can be.

Seeing as how your transceiver is the single most important piece of safety equipment in the BC (after your decision making skills), trying to save 100bucks seems crazy.

If I took a new guy touring and he told me that he just picked up his beacon used on ebay... I would probably just give him my loaner for the day. As i know it's not fucked.
 
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