 Poster: A snowHead
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Ok so my thread over on Buy/Sell/Exchange has gone awry but I can still get some very useful info.
Is it safe to buy a used transceiver?
If not, would you still use one that a guide lends to you? What about a rented one for the day?
If yes, what would you look for when buying one?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'd want to test it before buying.
I'm not sure I would buy a second hand one for myself to use 'properly,' but as per your other thread you only really need one that sends out the signal for your soon, if (I hope you never have to) you have to search for him, as obviously he's too young to really serch for you atm.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You could always ask the manufacturers how much it would cost to have one properly tested.
I had a couple repaired by NicImpex and I was surprised how little they charged.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I'd consider factoring the cost of getting the unit serviced into the second hand price. I'd want to know it worked over and above my own testing regimen (which would be stringent but I cannot test for frequency drift in an older analogue beacon). Every guide I've skied with has had a story about client(s) who skied for ages with their own non-functional beeper. If I'm hiring one then I tend to want to see send and receive before we go anywhere.
Personally, and it is a personal choice, it is one of the few things I would almost always buy new, rather like ropes and the few items of climbing gear I own. I know where my beacon is right now and I know it has never been dropped in the toilet or accidentally peed on or something. I'd take Parlor's advice and go with a new Pieps freeride.
I cannot believe how quickly your thread went to ratshit btw. The assumption that everyone is clueless is corrosive, imv.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Like clarky999 says, I think it might depend on what you were using it for. If I were buying for a new beacon for me then I'd probably get tempted by a cheap second hand deal and then get cold feet and decide to pay for a new one because I'd never know for sure it worked 100%.
On the other hand, if it was only for my son, err, just for practising/playing about with (sorry  ) then I'd be happy with anything I could identify (i.e. not stupidly old) and prove worked. Think I'd want to leave it on for a while (hour?) and check it was still picked up by my 'main' beacon, and then maybe turn it on and off a few times and shake it about...just generally check it seemed in reasonable order.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I bought one which a chap had bought for his mate to use on a ski trip to Canada for 3 weeks. The guy had got well into off piste and then bought a full kit package himself so I got an almost new tracker for £250. It was a guy who worked in my local cycle shop so I knew him a little and reckon he was on the level.
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As I said, useful points. I've gone and Googled "frequency drift" as I wasn't aware of it. Thanks gorilla. Here's a link for anyone else interested http://beaconreviews.com/transceivers/Frequency.asp .
That puts me off the older analogue models, even if the risk is low.
One thing I had completely forgotten until I started these threads was that a few years ago I bought my own transceiver used, from a Le Chable shop. I tested it on that holiday, both searching for and with it. I continue to practice regularly so I know it's functional but I see where people are coming from when they say they would only get new.
Still, my friend's two experiences (one: broken on/off wheel, two: battery fine when we left the room, died on top of the mountain) convinced me that nothing is risk-free...
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| horizon wrote: |
Still, my friend's two experiences (one: broken on/off wheel, ) convinced me that nothing is risk-free... |
My bro had the same problem with his new tracker on 2nd day of use. He's never bothered getting it fixed under warranty as it broke in the on position so it now eliminates another user error the turn off at lunch etc. batteries in = on, batteries out= off.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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horizon, I bought one from a bloke on here second hand.
I've tested it and it seems to work fine, so no issues from me.
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I haven't seen your other post, but I am assuming you want this for somebody who is too young to rescue effectively.
Ortovox do a dog collar and a doggy search unit that looks suspicously like an F1. The collar might be compatable with, and considerably cheaper than, a full transceiver.
I seem to remember somebody used to do transmitters to fix to your skis.
Might be worth investigating.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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In reality frequency drift only affects older beacons - such as the F1, that used ceramic oscillators.
Modern beacons (digital and analogue) are way less to prone to this phenomena - though its still officially recommended you get them checked every 5 years.
Frequency Drift results in reduced range, but it is easy to test for this and other functionality.
In an ideal world should check the transmit / receive function at start of every tour (or at least semi-regularly).
Not just when you buy it. Anything electronic is prone to short circuits, leaking batteries etc.
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You know it makes sense.
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