4 BCA Tracker 1 Review

Reviewer: Lorne Cameron, Glasgow/Chamonix   (11-3-2011)

Very easy to use transceiver, clear direction and distance indicators so you can't really go wrong in a simple scenario. The harness is pretty comfy to wear but the webbing is massive - I don't know how many obese people BCA think will be using this product! Adjusted to fit me the plastic slider sat right on my spine which was annoying so I shortened the strap a bit, problem solved. Another issue I realised is there's no obvious low battery warning other than the percentage readout when turning the unit on.

When clipped into the harness you are able to switch the unit on so it's easy to get lazy and forget to check the battery level every time (BCA says replace when under 20%), so make a habit of removing it from the harness and reading the screen every single time you power it up. There is a multiple burial mode but nowhere near as clear or straightforward as something like a Mammut Pulse. Still, in my opinion the best value transceiver out there and I'd be able to trust even a novice user to use this properly with only a little training.

5 BCA Tracker 1 Review

Reviewer: phillip smith, sheffield   (21-2-2011)

This is a great easy to use transceiver, which with the reduction in price seems very good value.

I got this two years ago and have nothing but praise for it. As a recreational rather than committed off piste skier this seems to tick all the boxes for what I need it for. Easy to use, sits comfy with the provided harness attachment and seems bombproof too.

I would recommend this unless you are massively conscious about weight.

5 BCA Tracker 1 Review

Reviewer: Andy Wilmshurst, Kirriemuir   (13-2-2011)

I purchased this transceiver last year before a trip to the Bernese Oberland for a week's ski touring. All 4 members of our group had the BCA Tracker 1 and it was easy to use (fortunately not in earnest!) and comfortable to wear. I recently attended an Avalanche awareness course at Glenmore Lodge and had a chance to practice its use in their new transceiver park and in simulated rescues in the hills. The transceiver is simple to use (vital in a stressful rescue situation) and lead us to the buried transceiver each time.

5 BCA Tracker 1 Review

Reviewer: Benjamin Irwin, London   (15-12-2010)

Got fed up of spending money hiring a transceiver every season and decided to buy my own. This seemed like the obvious choice of the models available and I have not been disappointed. It is simple to use, has a build quality that inspires confidence and a secure, comfortable harness. Highly recommended.

5 BCA Tracker 1 Review

Reviewer: Charles Moorhouse, Southerton   (2-11-2010)

Bought this to be on the safe side obviously, but never had to use it, hopefully I will never have to use it! Done training on it though and with a bit of practice this works great, easy to understand and simple. Fits to the body well too, doesn’t flap about.

4 BCA Tracker 1 Review

Reviewer: Alan MacQuarrie, Glasgow   (27-9-2010)

I bought this transceiver for off-piste skiing after using it on a course in Chamonix although this was coincidental. They were also using this model with groups at Glenmore Lodge this year & I can see why it is so popular with instructors in both countries as it is incredibly user friendly. I've given it only 4 stars as I know there are transceivers with better range & better multiple search facilities but it is perfect for beginners/occasional users. I haven't used it for a real emergency but if you're not going to practice regularly this model is perfect, as the last thing you want to do if you need to search for real is have to think about how your transceiver works when you're under pressure.

4 BCA Tracker 1 Review

Reviewer: Ian, Edinburgh   (13-7-2010)

Finally bought this transceiver two seasons ago, having hired a range of different models on a number of occasions. Luckily I have not yet had to use it in an emergency (and hopefully that will remain the case!).

I have, however, used it for training sessions and have found it very straightforward to use. The arrows (though only giving a general steer) make things much easier than older sound only models. I’ve also found the distance readout to be generally quite accurate. I tend to think that for the casual user who will not be using/training with the transceiver on a very regular basis simplicity is best and this is probably the simplest model I have used. Only slight downside is that you have to remember to turn the transceiver on whereas some older models I have used turned on automatically when strapped on.

5 BCA Tracker 1 Review

Reviewer: Tim Howes, Bristol   (21-2-2010)

Great device. been using this for approx 5yrs now and so far so good. having said that, I haven't had to use it "in anger" and fingers crossed, never will. however I have done "drills" with it and it is very easy to use indeed - in my view, easier than Ortovox models I have seen. battery life is good (3x AAA seem to last about 3wks) and it is comfortable to wear. A little bulky but I don't really care about this. Would buy again.

5 BCA Tracker DTS Review

Reviewer: William Redmond, Chew Stoke   (9-12-2009)

If you're planning on spending time off piste this year then you are going to need to think about one of these.
There appears to be a number of decent transcievers out there a at the moment. A few of my friends swear by their Pieps DSP units which seem to be unavailable in the UK at the moment.(No, we have them available here. That leaves the Tracker and the more expensive 3 antenna units.
The Tracker is probably the easiest unit I've ever used. I found an hour out in the park with another Tracker long enough to get confortable with it. This is going to be very important to the majority of Tracker users who want something simple and reliable.
The harness is comfortable for all but the largest users and when fitted is barely noticable. Recommended.

4 BCA Tracker DTS Review

Reviewer: JOSEPH YEADON, Hindhead   (3-12-2009)

I bought my DTS tracker in 2008, and have used it on two week-long off-piste courses in the Alps (day tours) with instructor/guide plus 7 others.
In the inevitable 'can't go off piste until you can use a transceiver' tests, I was able to find single and multiple burials far quicker than those with more complex (or simpler) transceivers - the direction and distance indicators were great for following flux lines, providing you don't rush and allow the display to update.
It's range isn't as good as analogue/hybrid devices - so I would recommend this to an occaisional user skiing with other - but a regular/advanced user would need something with a longer range.
One serious point, though, having seen others struggle with cheap transceivers, is that cost should not be a factor when choosing your avalanche gear!