Ortovox M2 Avalanche Beacon

The Ortovox M2 avalanche beacon has a fast pulse rate and an 80 meter search range. What does this mean? The M2 emits signals at a fast pulse rate, the transceiver receiving this data can guide you more quickly and without hesitation-and in an avalanche scenario, it's all about time. The Ortovox M2 is an advanced beacon which utilizes easy-to-follow LED icons to direct you to the buried avalanche victim FAST! The signal arrow gives you signal strength while a digital readout gives you the distance in meters. The M2 transmits for 300 hours on 2 AA batteries and is ergonomically shaped (fits comfortably against your abdomen). This beacon guides you along a direct search path to the buried avalanche victim. Ortovox has an excellent track record in avalanche rescue and this new beacon lives up to that reputation

$299.95

A great beacon
Distance and signal strength information makes locating the victim simple. Plus the display tells you when to change your distance attenuation. IMO the M2 is just as easy to use as a Tracker. In practice I found the short range of a Tracker to be limited to slightly less than 40m, while I was getting 80m out of the M2. Does range matter? All I know is I want a signal sooner rather than later. I also found the M2 to be superior in fine-grain searches. The audio tone of the M2 changed noticeably when you were right over the victim while with the Tracker you never know until you probe. The M2 is also much better for multiple burials. You can hear the other beacons and you can adjust the range attenuation to quickly identify the relative distances from the initial beacon.

Great Hyrbrid Features
Takes more practice than the Tracker, but very fast once you gain experience. Also better for multiple burials in which each beacon stays on as it is found, since you can hear the different beacons. Longer range can be helpful in certain situations, although usually is not a factor. Harness system allows for very easy change to search mode.

Ortovox M2
My fiance and I live in Breckenridge, Colorado. He is an avid snowmobiler and for his last birthday I bought an Ortovox M2. I did a lot of research before buying. The consistent response was also the strongest endorsement - people trust it with their lives. Knowing that he is wearing it, that it is the very best on the market and that I got it for a great price - make it a gift to both of us! Thank you Jeni Eakman East West Resorts

ortovox M2
Although a bit delicate (don't drop it in the snow) this is a very accurate and reliable beacon-I personally found it the easiest to use and understand- it's use is simple and precise, saving precious moments while in search mode (I have not used it yet in a real emergency situation-thankfully,) I wouldn't use any other beacon to locate my riding partner or fellow skiers/boarders in distress-the most accurate I've tried. Accurate and the longest most reliable range of any beacon-we practice frequently-fun game BTW-and we can locate this little guy under 6 ft. of snow from 60 meters within 10 minutes or less!!! A bit larger than most-and as I said keep it dry and careful switching batteries, which also BTW lasted 2 weeks when I forgot to turn it off...DOH!-checked it-it still had a 99 percent battery power indication-AWESOME! This is an incredible beacon-next to my board and backpack, this is my best backcountry friend-I trust my life and my partners with it 100%; well worth 300 bones. If you snowmobile or your 'better half' does and you want them to return home after a really bad day in the hills-get 'em this guy-and feel safe knowing they WILL be found alive!!! Nuff said... (Truly all beacons work superb, any working beacon is a good beacon-I just like this one best; easy,accurate,superior range, one of the first companies making beacons)

Training Tips

After each interval, take your pulse rate by counting the number of beats at your wrist or neck for 15 seconds. Multiply that result by four to get your beats per minute. Your next interval should start before your heart rate is less than 60% of your maximum.

The four components of good fitness include flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance. For optimum health, include at least two of these groups in three workouts per week.

Your fitness level will improve by overloading, working your body hard enough to stimulate the body, progression, increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise over time, and regularity, working out frequently, at least three times a week.

As your fitness improves over time by following a carefully planned fitness program, your ability to exercise closer to your maximum heart rate will improve.