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Avalanche beacon Ortovox S1 sets new standards

Avalanche beacon Ortovox S1 official release postponed to fall 2006 - read about manufacturing delay.

Avalanche beacons or avalanche transceivers went through a lot of development past decade. From analog beacons to digital ones. From one antenna to triple antennas. From sound directing to visual indicators.

Ortovox S1 represents the next logical step in avalanche safety gear development - to be able to display positions of multiple victims on beacon's LCD. Thus enhance effectiveness of the rescue actions.

Ortovox S1 was introduced earlier this year and at the first glance the new beacon reminds of a cell phone. This very stylish looking transceiver communicates a message of something hi-tech very clearly. Since we didn't have a chance to get the actual unit in our hands we cannot judge its overall functionality. But if it works as good as it looks...

After chatting with Ortovox representative for Canada and studying their catalogue for 2005-2006 season we were very pleased to find that after Pieps DSP model from Stubai (last year) the competition is on.

Here is a brief summary of Ortovox S1 features:

• locates up to 5 buried persons within a radius of 60 m
• large, illuminated display shows positions of all victims and distances to them
• automatic safety switch-back to transmit mode from any operating mode
• electronic compass
• temperature information
• measurement of inclination
• indication on depth of burial
• about 350hrs. of transmitting and 20hrs. of receiving at +10 C
• 240g with batteries and belt included

Ortovox S1 is also compatible with all standardized transceivers (457 kHz frequency). It should be available on the North American market in autumn of 2005. Retail price for Canada should be around $800.00 Canadian.

Ortovox also manufactures another avalanche transceiver models such as x1 digital, f1 focus, and m2. It also manufactures wide range of avalanche/snow shovels, avalanche probes, first aid kits, safety plate, and backpacks. Ortovox has even its own clothing line.

The main competition for Ortovox in avalanche safety equipment industry comes from Mammut/Barryvox, Stubai (Pieps DSP), Arva, BCA, Life-Link, and G3.

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