Gear Review | Pieps Mirco Button Beacon

Micro Button & Micro Sensor

The Pieps Micro avalanche transceivers are modern three-antenna devices that complement the Pieps line-up as a slightly cheaper, lighter and smaller alternative to the "big" devices. The handy Micro Button weighs 150g with battery (in comparison: the Pro BT weighs 230g and is significantly larger). The Micro Sensor has a central function: Among other things, switching from transmit to search is controlled by the sensor. If the sensor is covered by the holder of the carrying system or the supplied pouch, the device transmits. If you take it out of the holder or bag, it switches to search. Apart from the marker button, the Micro Sensor has no buttons. Instead of the sensor, the Micro Button has an additional button with which you can switch between transmit and search mode.

The sensor concept was intended, among other things, for users who have never held an avalanche transceiver in their hands before. If you take the avalanche transceiver out of the holder, it automatically starts searching. If you put it away again, it switches back to transmitting. This may be intuitive for newcomers to avalanche transceivers, but for those who are familiar with the classic send-search switch or slider, it takes some getting used to in practice. Pieps therefore decided to take another step towards "classic" operation with the Micro Button, without abandoning the Micro as a device. The Micro Sensor also remains in the line-up as, according to Pieps, it is very popular with some users.

Micro vs. Pro and Powder

The low weight and more manageable format of the Micros is mainly achieved by saving on batteries. The Micros are powered by 1 AA battery and not by 3 AAA batteries as is the case with most other devices. The battery life is correspondingly shorter (manufacturer's specification for Micro Button: at least 200 hours, for Pro BT: at least 600 hours). The antennas are also slightly smaller: The recommended search strip width is 50 metres for the Micros, but 60 metres for the Pro and Powder.

The other functions, from group check and autorevert to "Interference Protection" and performance in the event of multiple burials, are comparable to those of the Powder BT. As with all current Pieps devices (exception: DSP Sport), various custom settings can be made via the Pieps app using a Bluetooth connection. The Pro BT offers slightly more options here than the Powder and the Micros, but these additional options are probably not particularly relevant for most users.

Test

The basic functions are relatively intuitive to use - switch on using the lever on the battery compartment, switch to search by pressing the send/search button and then press the mark button. There is a graphic aid on the housing that is reminiscent of the latter. There are only two buttons and no complex button combinations are required, so you can hardly go wrong once you have understood the "press twice" principle for switching.

The recommended search strip width seems appropriate after a few range tests in different coupling positions. The difference in range between the ideal coupling position and the transmitter rotated by 90° was a few metres. The shorter range of the Micro compared to the "big" Pieps Pro BT is quite clear (see photo) and corresponds roughly to what you would expect given the manufacturer's specifications. During our tests, there were a few bumps and a stream in the way, depending on the direction of approach to the transmitter, and the ranges fluctuated slightly depending on this.

Once the Micro has a signal, it can keep up well with the Pro, and I can't tell the difference. Both devices feel very fast, for example when marking (which worked straight away and without any problems), when switching to the next transmitter when one has been marked, and with regard to the distance display when crossing in. Performance degradation when a transmitter is marked does not appear to be present or insignificant. During our tests with several transmitters and in direct comparison with the Pro BT, I occasionally missed the scan button on the Micro, but this has no relevance for "real" use.

If you have a mobile phone close to the searching device, the range is reduced, as with all the avalanche transceivers I have come across so far. However, the Micro does not display a "ghost signal", so the "interference protection" seems to do what it is supposed to do. As a test, we placed a searching Pieps Micro, BD Guide BT (same device as Pieps Pro BT), Mammut Barryvox S and Arva Evo directly next to a mobile phone: Barryvox S and Evo displayed a signal and/or an error message or an interference warning, Micro and Guide display nothing at all, so the mobile phone fades out.

Conclusion

The Pieps Micro Button is a solid, modern avalanche transceiver that doesn't need to shy away from comparison with the external and Pieps internal competition. In terms of range, it can't quite keep up with the "big" high-end devices from Pieps or Mammut, for example, but overall it still performs quite well in this area and it's not quite as expensive. The advantages of the small size and the lower weight are, well, the small size and the lower weight. I have also heard the theory from various sources that a smaller avalanche transceiver reduces the likelihood of rib fractures if you fall on it unfavourably. However, I would rather not test this hypothesis in practice.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ small and light

+ relatively inexpensive

+ Various setting options via app and Bluetooth, updateable

+fast processor

-Lower range than the "large" Pieps avalanche transceivers

Details

RRP: €350,-

• MAXIMUM CIRCULAR RANGE OF RECEPTION
  thanks to the PIEPS 3 antenna system

• COMPREHENSIVE SELF-TEST
  Checks all relevant hardware and software elements and displays the current software version.

• LARGE DISPLAY
  for good readability in all lighting conditions

• PERFECT MARKING PERFORMANCE
  thanks to precise signal processing without performance restrictions

• PIEPS INTERFERENCE PROTECTION
  The influence of external sources of interference is eliminated or minimised. reduced to a minimum:
  Auto-Antenna-Switch - protection in transmit mode: If the transmit antenna is disturbed by electronic devices or metal, it automatically switches to the other antenna.
  Signal verification - protection in search mode: Only signals that originate from an avalanche transceiver are displayed.

• iPROBE SUPPORT
  The PIEPS MICRO BT button can be temporarily deactivated via the iPROBE intelligent probe. The next strongest signal is automatically displayed on the receiver avalanche transceiver.

• AUTO-SEARCH-TO-SEND
  The PIEPS MICRO BT button automatically switches from search mode to send mode when the device is at rest for a certain period of time (burial).

• GROUP CHECK
  Checks the activity and send parameters of the partner avalanche transceiver. PIEPS recommends carrying out a group check before every tour. 

• carrying system PIEPS MICRO BT button
  Hard case design
  Water-repellent materials

Here is the link to the Pieps website with further information.

The avalanche transceiver was provided to PowderGuide by the manufacturer free of charge for testing. You can find out how we tested it in our test statement.