Features
With a total weight of 315 grams including the carrying system and battery, the Barryvox Element is just as heavy as the 3+ from Ortovox. The workmanship is very good and the holding device is easy to use. The recommended retail price for the Barryvox Element is 290 euros, and the device is available from various online stores from around 250 euros.
The battery life is stated as 200 hours. In our own test under a wide range of conditions, the display dropped to 50% after 170 hours, but then remained there until around 250 operating hours. Plenty of time to install new batteries. The device switches off at 20% remaining battery indicator. In my case, this happens after approx. 330 hours.
The group test function for detecting faulty devices works well. This useful feature is now offered by various manufacturers.
The Barryvox Element in field tests
In field tests, I found the first search process to be very fast and precise. The display is clear and fast. Even if the device has spent a night in a cold car at minus 20 degrees C, the display is still very good, which is something that some of the competitors struggle with. The display in the fine search area is also very accurate and clear. I occasionally found the acoustic support a little loud, especially if you often use the device for training purposes. I cannot understand the positioning of the loudspeaker on this device either. As with the Ortovox 3+, the loudspeaker may be unintentionally covered by the glove and thus almost completely silenced. Why not above the display?
The device also performed convincingly in tests that simulated the burial of several people. As soon as the first victim has been found, all you have to do is press the marker button and you can concentrate on the next victim. The distance between the two victims was around 7 meters on the first attempt and was then repeated at a distance of 2 meters with no difference. What I missed was the option to undo an accidentally pressed marker of a multiple burial without briefly switching off the device. According to Illari Dammert, the Mammut product manager responsible for the Barryvox, this function was omitted from the Barryvox Element in order to improve user-friendliness and simplify the menu navigation.
Possible burial due to secondary avalanches
The manufacturer has solved this problem very simply. If the searcher is buried by an avalanche, the device switches back to transmitting after eight minutes without movement. Personally, I find eight minutes very long. Other manufacturers do this after two minutes, which is very short.
First signal reception / rough search
The first signal can usually be received from approx. 40-50 m, which corresponds to the standard of current avalanche transceivers. If you want more, you can switch to the Barryvox Pulse and switch to analog in expert mode and achieve ranges of up to 90 m.
Positives
+ Easy to use
+ Easy search even for less experienced users
+ Cheaper than the Pulse and still has all the necessary functions.
Negatives
- Unlike the Barryvox Pulse, the display is not illuminated. (Of course, we should already be on our way home or to the après-ski bar at dusk, but a wrong turn through the fog like the one we experienced a few years ago and arriving in total darkness should be reason enough to include this little detail in the Pulse's little brother.)
Features in detail
Digital 3-antenna device
Intuitive and simple user guidance
One-button operation
3 antennas for problem-free fine localization at close range and at great burial depths
Marking of buried victims found
Overview of distance, direction and number of buried victims
Signal analysis and signal separation for multiple buried victims
Intelligent group test
Firmware software update is possible if required.
Price (RRP): 290.- Euro
Conclusion
A successful device with a very good price-performance ratio and very little potential for improvement.
Large-scale practical test in Switzerland
In January, the results of a comprehensive test were broadcast on the TV program Kassensturz. Five current devices were tested intensively: Pieps DPS, Arva Axis, Barryvox Element, BCA Tracker 2 and Ortovox 3+. The devices achieved very different results in this test. Particularly when it came to solving multiple burials, some of the competitors reached the limits of their capabilities. The test winner was the Mammut Barryvox Element, which was fully convincing in all areas. To the test
