MAMMUT BARRYVOX S TRANSCEIVER REVIEW

MAMMUT BARRYVOX S £330 www.mammut.swiss
The Barryvox S transceiver is recognised as a benchmark in modern avalanche transceivers and is what you’re likely to see rescuers and guides using, so if you spend a lot of time in the backcountry it’s worth considering if you’re in the market for a new transceiver, irrespective of the expense.
The Barryvox S is also worth considering for the simple reason that it speeds up avalanche rescue times thanks to a wider search strip and reception range than previous models; the search strip width is 70-metres and the transceiver has a reliable reception range of up to 70-metres, and it’s capable of dealing with single or multiple burials, the latter even when signals overlap.
This model replaces the well-established Barryvox Pulse, and it’s both easier to use and easier to read than its predecessor. It has intuitive, acoustic menu prompts to allow you to use it efficiently and quickly and can even be operated whilst wearing gloves; the transceiver can also be opened one-handed (also whilst wearing gloves). The display is backlit, making it easier to read, and the carrying system is lighter and easier to adjust than on the Pulse.
The battery life of the Barryvox S is given as 300 hours in ‘send’ mode (although the pros always reckon you should change the batteries once they reach 50 per cent strength) so there’s no excuse for not getting out and practising with what is one of the most user-friendly avalanche transceivers on the market.