Part 2 of the ISPO Report 2016: Pieps and Arva present new avalanche transceivers at ISPO, while the other manufacturers stick with familiar models. When it comes to airbags, various manufacturers are in a fierce race for the lightest system. Arcteryx and Arva are presenting airbag backpacks for the first time. Ortovox is now also relying on its own system.
LVS devices
Mammut and Ortovox are sticking with their tried-and-tested models. Pieps is launching an additional, smaller device. Arva presents a new high-end model. BCA releases a software update. Pieps Micro: Pieps launches a new, very small and lightweight avalanche transceiver on the market. The Pieps Micro probably replaces the Tracker 3 as the smallest, lightest 3 antenna device and has the usual standard functions, as well as the strong Y antenna that Pieps is known for. The range of 40m is slightly less than that of its big brothers, the DSP Sport and Pro. The device does not have a switch to change from transmit to search mode. This is done by a distance sensor that detects when the avalanche transceiver is no longer in the holder or pocket. Once in search mode, the device only switches back to transmit mode when search mode is unlocked at the end of the search and the device is stowed away again. The Pieps Micro has a motion sensor to counteract the problem of the searcher being buried by secondary avalanches. If the device is not moved for 30 seconds in search mode, an acoustic warning signal sounds. If it is still not moved, it switches to transmit mode after 60 seconds. When the signal is first received after the search, the Pieps Micro vibrates briefly to provide additional support for the person searching (who may not be looking at the display constantly during this phase). The Pieps Micro can be connected to a smart phone app via Bluetooth. Updates can be downloaded and functions checked there.
ARVA Axio: Arva presents a new high-end avalanche transceiver. In addition to the more affordable NEO and EVO4 models, which are largely unchanged from the previous season, the AXIO now completes the product range. The fold-out third antenna is particularly interesting. The fold-out function means that the length of the vertical antenna is no longer limited by the dimensions of the housing. This makes it possible to adjust the range of the third antenna to the values of the two main antennas, which should bring advantages in unfavorable coupling positions. According to Arva, all three antennas are now equally powerful. The range is specified as 60m. The Axio has an on/off button and a kind of nipple that is reminiscent of the "trackpoints" on some keyboards. Folding out the antenna switches from transmit to search mode and vice versa.
BCA - Software update for Tracker 3: BCA presents a software update for the Tracker 3. There are no security-related changes, but rather small improvements. For example, the Big Picture Mode now runs a little slower, as the quick changes were sometimes criticized as confusing. As an alternative to the somewhat unfamiliar sounds that the tracker used to make, the update offers a "classic sound package". The update can be installed by the user and requires a Windows operating system.
Airbags: electronic systems
Arc'teryx: The Canadians from Arc'teryx are entering the market for airbag backpacks. At ISPO, they presented the Voltair, a backpack with an electronic system that uses a blower to blow air into the balloon. Although the principle is similar to the JetForce backpacks from Black Diamond and Pieps, the Voltair and the system inside it are an in-house development. The 150-liter balloon is inflated by a small turbine that gets its power from a rechargeable 22.2 volt lithium-polymer battery. The very robust-looking backpack itself, which is made of waterproof material, leaves a good impression. There are no major innovations in the JetForce backpacks from Pieps and Black Diamond. The Pieps JetForce is available in 10l (3300g), 24l (3400g) and 34l (3500g). Black Diamond offers the Pilot (11l), the Halo (28l) and the Saga (40l).
Airbags: cartridge systems
ABS: The inventor of the avalanche airbag is presenting the P.Ride model at ISPO. This will be launched on the market next season. Consisting of a base unit with three zip-on attachments (18l, 32l and 45+5l),
For the first time, the system now features a standard partner deployment by radio, which is designed for groups of up to 10 people and can be configured (individual deployment, group deployment, targeted individual deployment). The airbag itself has also been improved and now has 17% more volume. There also appears to be a kind of one-piece suit with integrated ABS from Northland.ARVA: "the lightest 2-balloon system on the market": Arva is launching its own airbag backpack line on the market with the Reactor series, designed by a long-time ABS developer who has changed companies. Like many other manufacturers, the focus is on low weight and pack size. Without the cartridge, the system weighs 790g. A cartridge weighs 450g (steel) or 310g (carbon). The system is completely and easily interchangeable within the Arva backpack series, so you can use several Arva backpacks and convert the airbag system as required. Arva uses an airbag with a double chamber, i.e. two separate balloons. There is also redundancy in the rest of the system: apart from the ignition of the cartridge, the balloons are inflated completely separately to ensure greater safety if one should break. The backpacks are available in 18, 24, 32 and 40-liter versions.
BCA: no significant innovations. Additional, larger model (42l). Deuter: Deuter maintains its extensive range of airbag backpacks and still uses the ABS system. Ferrino: The rather unknown company Ferrino continues to offer airbag backpacks which, in addition to the airbag, also have an avalanche system and a Recco reflector. Ferrino uses the Alpride airbag system, as do Scott and Vaude. Sizes: 20, 25, 30l Mammut: "just as light as Ortovox": Mammut has revised and weight-optimized its entire airbag line, but remains with the two systems "Protection Airbag System" (formerly Snowpulse) and "Removable Airbag System" (balloon on top, as opposed to side and top). Compared to last year's models, the nine airbag systems are more compact in the backpack and take up less volume. In terms of weight, the smaller backpack models can compete with the new Ortovox system as a complete package: the airbag system itself is slightly heavier, but the backpacks are slightly lighter. The material of the airbag balloons is also new: they are no longer made by hand, but are produced by the automotive industry (= car airbag industry). This leads to improved quality and weight savings. With the new models, you no longer need an additional turning tool to "rearm" the system after a deployment or a test deployment without a cartridge". In cooperation with Mammut, RipCurl is launching a vest in which the Mammut airbag system can be installed.
Ortovox: "lightest system on the market": Ortovox is also launching its own airbag system on the market and saying goodbye to ABS. The new system called AVABAG is very light and small at only 640g (without cartridge), the basic principle is similar to that of the other systems (cartridges, Venturi unit). The cartridges are available in steel (510g) and carbon versions (310g). The AVABAG system is expandable and compatible with all backpacks in the AVABAG line. Test deployments without a cartridge are possible as often as required. To re-install the system, a small tool is used, similar to that used in the current season's Mammut models. The AVABAG backpacks are available in the Ascent version (22, 28, 30l) and the Free Rider version (20, 22l). The latter have a wider hip belt and are designed more for freeriding than for long ascents.
Scott: no major innovations, Scott still uses the Alpride system. VAUDE: "one of the lightest avalanche airbag backpacks in the world": VAUDE is relaunching its airbag line and switching from the ABS system to Alpride (which Scott and Ferrino also use). The weight of the system here is 1240g, including cartridges (as with Scott). Alpride is used in two backpack models. At 2125g, the Alprider Updraft (22l) is "one of the lightest avalanche airbag backpacks in the world". The Updraft outer material (siliconized 40 D polyamide) is more environmentally friendly than similar products, which is why the backpack bears the "VAUDE Green Shape Label". The slightly larger Alprider Flow (24+4l), which has a different outer material, is also slightly heavier at 2650g.
Miscellaneous:
Various companies presented their newly overhauled shovel and probe collections at ISPO. Mammut has an Ultralight shovel (smaller shovel blade), as well as a particularly lightweight probe. Pieps now has a shovel with a chopping function and curved handle in addition to the familiar models. The new shape should ensure that more snow remains on the shovel blade when shoveling. Pieps has also overhauled the i-probe. It no longer has to be switched on manually, but is automatically switched on as soon as it is tensioned. This prevents unintentional activation in the backpack. In addition, small LEDs have been installed on the handle which, like the beep sound, support the search. With the Shaxe Tech, BCA presents a solid shovel/pickaxe combination. The shovel handle can be removed and replaced with a stainless steel pick. The lighter aluminum version (Shaxe Speed) also has the CE standard ice axe certification (type 1). The already familiar K2 Shaxe system has been slightly optimized here, but the BCA version is not fundamentally different. Avatech:
The company Avatech introduced a probe last season that measures and records the hardness of the snow, making it possible to gather a lot of information about the snowpack in a short space of time. The 1.50 m long probe is also equipped with a GPS chip and has a display that immediately shows the collected data in profile form. It can be connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth (there is also a USB port), where you can then view the data in detail and, if you wish, post it online. In addition to simple data collection, Avatech is primarily concerned with being able to share the data quickly and easily. To this end, an online platform has been available since November, which is still partly under development but already offers some interesting functions. In addition to the probe data, other observations relating to weather and avalanches can be uploaded. There is an extensive map tool for many areas. Data points entered by users are displayed on the map, and you can also filter the terrain by slope and plan routes, for example.
