Does the Barryvox S include "interference guard" like the S2? It's not listed on the S features. I contacted Mammut and they say that yes, it does, but their website doesn't mention it on the S description either. I'd like to be sure before ordering it.
Also, I see at least a couple of beacons that have this interference feature. Is this proven? Or just a gimmick? Seems like a good idea if it really works.
Mammut Barryvox S Avalanche Beacon
Professionals in the ski community have trusted Mammut for years due to their reputation for making the highest quality products that manage to be packed full of important features while still being quick and easy to use - the Barryvox S is no exception. Despite its simplistic design, the Barryvox S is packed full of useful features. One of the more handy and important features is the Rescue Send mode--allowing rescuers who are not leading the search to keep their beacon on without transmitting or searching. This is combined with the built-in Auto-revert function that will automatically switch the beacon from Search mode or Rescue Send mode to Transmit mode if the user becomes immobile for 4 minutes in the case of a second avalanche. It also has an auto-guidance function that will continue to guide the rescuer in the case of signal failure or overlap. The 3D sensor can help the lead rescuer concentrate their resources on the victims that are closest to the surface and have the highest likelihood of survival. When switched to analog mode this beacon has an incredibly large search range with a receiving bandwidth up to 95 meters. It also functions with lithium batteries, which have a much longer battery life and make it more stable at lower temperatures. The display is backlit, making it easy to see even while wearing polarized glasses or goggles, and the ergonomic design makes it easy to operate with gloves on. With all of these features and more, the Barryvox S is the perfect choice for professionals in the ski and backcountry industry.
- Ergonomic design makes for easy handling and use, even with gloves on.
- Effective digital search range of 70m that expands to 95m when switched to analog.
- 300 hour send battery life with alkaline batteries, 400 hour send battery life with lithium batteries.
- The backlit display is easy to read even when wearing polarized glasses or lenses.
- Group test function with easy to follow instructions.
- Automatic self-test and function test.
- Auto guidance function continues to guide rescuer to a buried subject in the case of signal interruption or failure.
- Multiple burial marking and listing functions.
- 3D sensor helps the rescuer concentrate resources on buried subjects with the highest chance of survival.
- Rescue-Send function allows non-searching rescuers to keep beacon on without transmitting or receiving.
- Auto-Revert function uses a motion sensor to automatically revert beacon from search or rescue-send, back to transmit in the case of a second avalanche.
- Start screen and user texts can be personalized.
- 2-year warranty with an additional 3-year Mammut guarantee if registered.
| Specifications | |
| Dimensions | 115 x 68 x 28 mm |
|
Weight |
207g w/ 3 AAA batteries 332g w/3 AAA batteries and holster |
| Antennas | 3 digital/analog combo |
| Transmit Range | 70m |
| Search Range | 70m digital, 95m analog |
| Number of Victims | 3+ |
| Battery Life | 300 hours transmit alkaline, 400 hours transmit lithium |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Backcountry skiing, guiding, industry professionals |
| Notes | W-link compatible |
| Bottom Line | Ultimate beacon for professionals and backcountry enthusiasts |
| Compare to other Beacons | |
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Questions & Reviews
11/1/2024
11/6/2024
Hi Chris,
If by interference guard you mean that there's some measure ensuring the beacon won't move from send to search or search to send mode without a deliberate movement - yes!
I have this beacon and in order to switch modes you deliberately need to press down an indented button with one hand, and with your other, push a mode lever left or right, same thing to turn off the beacon. I have not yet seen a case where this mode is switching by itself in the field, or turning on and off unexpectedly.
For electronic interference with regards to the S2, to warn if the signal is being significantly disrupted, it doesn't seem we listed this as a spec to verify on the S because we couldn't get the same results. I do not believe it has an electronic interference guard.
Lenny // Skimo Co Warranty
If by interference guard you mean that there's some measure ensuring the beacon won't move from send to search or search to send mode without a deliberate movement - yes!
I have this beacon and in order to switch modes you deliberately need to press down an indented button with one hand, and with your other, push a mode lever left or right, same thing to turn off the beacon. I have not yet seen a case where this mode is switching by itself in the field, or turning on and off unexpectedly.
For electronic interference with regards to the S2, to warn if the signal is being significantly disrupted, it doesn't seem we listed this as a spec to verify on the S because we couldn't get the same results. I do not believe it has an electronic interference guard.
Lenny // Skimo Co Warranty
11/6/2024
The Barryvox S2 information has this listed as a feature: "Interference Guard --indicates if interference is detected in either send or search modes." So, I assume it intends to address the second issue in your response. Sounds like you're skeptical, or didn't know about this. I'm looking for more information. Mammut says it also applies to the S and I'm looking for confirmation of that.
BTW, Black Diamond has a new beacon on the market, the PIEPS Pro IPS that is supposed to have an "Interference Protection System", I assume this is a similar feature.
BTW, Black Diamond has a new beacon on the market, the PIEPS Pro IPS that is supposed to have an "Interference Protection System", I assume this is a similar feature.
11/6/2024
Hi Chris, *edit
We just did a very brief test of this: a customer service rep did get a fake signal from his phone - he DID NOT get a signal notifying him there was interruption but this was only conducted in search mode and within a building.
Mammut might know something we do not, but if there is supposed to be some feature that Mammut is claiming, this is something that needs to be taken up with the manufacturer from retailers as well as with inquiries from customers. I would ask them clarification on this supposed interference guard in the S model.
I cannot state anything affirmative in regards to the PIEPS model - since they're recall issue a few years ago, we decided not to carry the PIEPS beacons anymore.
Lenny // Skimo Co Warranty
We just did a very brief test of this: a customer service rep did get a fake signal from his phone - he DID NOT get a signal notifying him there was interruption but this was only conducted in search mode and within a building.
Mammut might know something we do not, but if there is supposed to be some feature that Mammut is claiming, this is something that needs to be taken up with the manufacturer from retailers as well as with inquiries from customers. I would ask them clarification on this supposed interference guard in the S model.
I cannot state anything affirmative in regards to the PIEPS model - since they're recall issue a few years ago, we decided not to carry the PIEPS beacons anymore.
Lenny // Skimo Co Warranty
Answer this question:
2/25/2023
Hey guys: I have somehow lost the holster to my earlier-model Barrybox (the green one -- see photo). Any chance you'd be able to help me secure a replacement? Unfortunately, the dimensions have changed, so the newer holsters won't work.
Thanks for any help or advice you can provide.
Thanks for any help or advice you can provide.
2/27/2023
Eric,
We have reached out to Mammut to see if we can track one down for you! If you can please send an e-mail to help@skimo.co to continue the conversation that would be great. Thanks!
We have reached out to Mammut to see if we can track one down for you! If you can please send an e-mail to help@skimo.co to continue the conversation that would be great. Thanks!
Answer this question:
Definitely my overall favorite beacon for ski touring. For skimo racing, the housing depth would be kind of awkward for placing in a race suit pouch. (The beacon dimensions are relatively compact yet kind of … chunky?) But for any normal applications, the harness design is secure and comfy.
My full impressions are provided at the Beacon Reviews website in the entry for which I collaborated over there. But in brief, this model has all the bells and whistles if you’re into that, with all sorts of customizing available too. However, you can also set up in a simple mode to keep the various options in the background. Another nice feature is that one beacon can update another beacon with the latest firmware.
The only caveat is to be very careful if you choose to use lithium batteries. The power meters in other beacons have no way of knowing how much life is left in a set of lithium batteries, since their power curve is essentially flat, until it falls off a cliff. For the Barryvox S though – same thing! So it’s estimating how much life is left by keeping track of how much you’ve been using a new set of lithium batteries. Hence, you need to start off with a new set, and not use it any other devices. (Or of course you could just deal with the trivial weight penalty of regular alkaline batteries.)
My full impressions are provided at the Beacon Reviews website in the entry for which I collaborated over there. But in brief, this model has all the bells and whistles if you’re into that, with all sorts of customizing available too. However, you can also set up in a simple mode to keep the various options in the background. Another nice feature is that one beacon can update another beacon with the latest firmware.
The only caveat is to be very careful if you choose to use lithium batteries. The power meters in other beacons have no way of knowing how much life is left in a set of lithium batteries, since their power curve is essentially flat, until it falls off a cliff. For the Barryvox S though – same thing! So it’s estimating how much life is left by keeping track of how much you’ve been using a new set of lithium batteries. Hence, you need to start off with a new set, and not use it any other devices. (Or of course you could just deal with the trivial weight penalty of regular alkaline batteries.)
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4/9/2022
Hi there,
I'm looking to purchase a barryvox s for a reasonable price all the way from NZ as they are very expensive here! However I need to get the US version as opposed to the EU one as the W-Link of the EU version does not work here. Do you know what version this one is?
Cheers
I'm looking to purchase a barryvox s for a reasonable price all the way from NZ as they are very expensive here! However I need to get the US version as opposed to the EU one as the W-Link of the EU version does not work here. Do you know what version this one is?
Cheers
4/9/2022
Hey Affrikah, we carry the US version! Note that the US and EU versions are still compatible with each other for standard search and send beacon usage. The W-Link frequency is a secondary frequency used for extra features outside of searching and sending.
Answer this question:
This is the best beacon currently on the market. It's got a huge search range, a high-resolution display that tells you exactly what to do (hopefully you're well-practiced anyhow, but having the screen instruct you in case you panic is a great backup), and great processing speed.
I'm not convinced by revert to send mode, so I've turned that option off for me (something you can only do on the Barryvox S and not on the regular Barryvox). I'm not a fan of Mammut's landing strip search, so I've changed that setting to classic as well.
If you know your way around a beacon and want the advanced search (or want to turn off revert to send), I think the Barryvox S is tough to beat. People say that less experienced users might be better off with a Barryvox, but I think even in that case the Barryvox S is the way to go - having the better guidance on screen when searching justifies the price on its own in my opinion.
I'm not convinced by revert to send mode, so I've turned that option off for me (something you can only do on the Barryvox S and not on the regular Barryvox). I'm not a fan of Mammut's landing strip search, so I've changed that setting to classic as well.
If you know your way around a beacon and want the advanced search (or want to turn off revert to send), I think the Barryvox S is tough to beat. People say that less experienced users might be better off with a Barryvox, but I think even in that case the Barryvox S is the way to go - having the better guidance on screen when searching justifies the price on its own in my opinion.
Comment on this review:
I've been using the Barryvox S for about two years now and have come to the conclusion that it's likely the best beacon currently on the market. It's got similar features as other high-end beacons but I find this to be a bit easier to use and simple in design.
I work as a ski guide & avalanche educator so I use most of the functions of the beacon a bit more frequently than the general user. The only thing I've noticed that warrants a four-star, instead of a five, is the battery level fluctuations. Occasionally in the morning, I'll get a rating of 70% then later in the day it'll be at 80%. Gone through multiple battery brands and that doesn't seem to be the case. But other than this minor-ish issue, I've found this thing to be an awesome piece of kit.
I work as a ski guide & avalanche educator so I use most of the functions of the beacon a bit more frequently than the general user. The only thing I've noticed that warrants a four-star, instead of a five, is the battery level fluctuations. Occasionally in the morning, I'll get a rating of 70% then later in the day it'll be at 80%. Gone through multiple battery brands and that doesn't seem to be the case. But other than this minor-ish issue, I've found this thing to be an awesome piece of kit.
Comment on this review:
I upgraded to the Barryvox S during winter 20/21 after decades with BCA Beacons (DTS, Tracker 2, then Tracker 3). The long-range 70m search is a bonus over many. The interface is easy to use. The OFF/transmit/search locking is stellar. Using the advanced features is pretty straightfoward, as is the beacon check. I hope to never use this, but it's nice to have something very easy to use.
Comment on this review:
This is my 2nd season with this beacon and have over 100 days of use. It has been great to wear in the harness or in a pocket, its intuitive and gives a lot of extra features to test scenerios with. If you can afford the price I think its absolutely worth it for the extra range. My only gripe is that you have to pay to get the software updated? I understand everything costs money but if the consumer is already shelling out the $$$ it seems a little nickle and dimey to have to pay $30 or $40 to get the software updated every year or two.
2/5/2021
Hi Alex, thanks for the feedback! FYI, we do not charge for software upgrades here.
2/5/2021
Thanks jbo, good to know! It must be a thing with my local retailer!
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