 Poster: A snowHead
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I've had this about 9 yrs, ish. It's beeping randomly 4-5 beeps in a row, time to send it for service?
Or
Newer models seem to have better features, replace it?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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IMHO Replace. Ortovox sending back to Germany (only way to update) I found a right pain. Tried recently and would not recommend.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@tangowaggon, I'd say replace. I have one i use for practice but I've always found it a bit 'dim witted' and seemingly more susceptible to outside interference (power cables etc.)
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Replacement it is, TBH when I have practiced with my current model, it's response has been a bit unclear
Recommendations?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Mammut Barryvox2. Either that old Barryvox one that you might find on offer and is miles better than what you have IMO*
Alternatives that seem to come out well in tests (and be popular with guides/instructors) seem to be Pieps (though I was disappointed by their failure to accept issues with there previous model) or the Arva
* based on performance in group practices I've done and one occation when I had to borrow an Ortovox3
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I’m on an older Barryvox but will upgrade to a newer one at some point. The range is a little confusing as I think they have just released a new model
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In any training I've done the Barryvox S & Pieps have always come out best for range. IMHO the Barryvox is better to use. Also worth noting that Mammut recommend a service every 3 years, this (and software updates) are available in the UK from Facewest. I have the Barryvox S and they've serviced mine twice and have turned it around in a few days. Worth noting that they do that free of charge (except for the postage) if you buy from them. So might be worth taking a look there. www.facewest.co.uk (I'm just a satisfied customer of the service/ update and if I'd known about this before buying I might have purchased from them too).
Barryvox software updates can also be done unit to unit, so if a friend has a more recent SW you don't need to send the unit off. I believe the S2 is also able to update via bluetooth.
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Literally just ordered a barryvox 2 on basis of search performance last year of ortovox3+ compared to rest of group - newer ones are much longer ranged and easier because faster processing = greater consistency
Cheapest I found was facewest as the prices seen elsewhere were without taxes, so add another £50+ (if not more when delivery company add processing fees) in addition to them having excellent rep and being UK distributor afaik (hence offering testing and iirc repair/warranty processes)
One other point re barryvox is while they have had a recall it seems to have been handled fairly well
Will also note getting an ortovox3+ serviced takes 3 months. Without being in the peak period they say will take longer!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Ortovox servicing is fairly long-winded, give it plenty of time, as others have said it is sent back to Germany via a UK contact. I got my Ortovox 3+ serviced late 2024 which bought it 2 more years usage, but have now replaced with a Barryvox 2.
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I would recommend you to replace it.
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads  on Mon 16-03-26 7:41; edited 2 times in total
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I asked a question about age of an Ortovox 3+ and received some good advice and feedback here;
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=5285883&highlight=ortovox#5285883
In the end I took mine to Facewest who ran a software update and checked it over (same day service as I was getting boots done nearby) and declared it OK (in 2024). It's another couple of years since my post and mine is not 13 years old so probably a bit long in the tooth.
Mine wasn't beeping though, which is not the best sign for yours.
The newer ones seem faster and more reliable on search so I am probably looking at an upgrade too. Can't put a price on safety, especially this season. (obvious statement - training and prudence out perform any transciever).
If I get a new one I can demote the 3+ to a practice device and range check it together with the new one.
I stumbled on the Pieps Mini IPS which looks very appealing due to the compact form factor so I'm down to 3 : Pieps Mini, Barryvox and Diract Voice.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I have limited experience with these..
On the course I did there were several types.
We did notice the Ortovox voice kept saying something different than the arrow on the screen. Maybe lagging behind. I wouldn’t pay the extra for that..
I have the pieps mini. Perfect for a pocket. It’s fast and accurate. The beeper wasn’t the loudest though, especially next to the avra my friend had, which also picked up the signal earlier. (More expensive though).
Orto picked up signal last every time.
Didn’t get to play with a barryvox..
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You know it makes sense.
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Just to follow up, as I purchased a new transceiver.
The 3+ was launched in 2010 making it a 16 year old design.
I went with the Barryvox 2 ("Barry") for a few reasons. Launched in 2025 so 15 year newer technology - great range, compact, light, user updateable firmware, and voice prompts and widely recommended.
First test in the garden and the street...
The 3+ was picked up by Barry, and could find Barry so it is functional.
The 3+ didn't see Barry until about 26 meters away (more testing to follow). Then lost signal, pointed in a different direction and even stopped displaying a direction arrow a few times. This echo'd the frustrating experience I had using it in a drill on a course, where I missed the target. Fine search within 3 meters was good and clear though.
Barry was far better to search. He picked up the 3+ instantly at well over 50m away with a clear, accurate and consistent arrow. The voice prompts helped (these aren't clearly communicated as a feature but were an option to enable during setup via the app). You need to move slow during fine search but it was easy and accurate.
I'm planning some more tests as the 3+ was easily detectable, but the search was tricky. Barry was far better for searching. Add to that the simple group check, nice button and good screen in a compact size, I'm happy.
Top level - I'd be OK wearing the 3+ if it were purely about me bring found. However I'd far rather insist my partners had something like Barry! When my boy starts skiing more off piste he can wear the 3+ until he's bigger/stronger/more capable of searching.
If anyone near Sheffield wants to run around a field finding bags and cones for a bit then let me know!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Bit of a further 'data' point from a test in the park;
Hid Barry. Handed my wife the 3+ and sent her 50m away and said do what the arrows tell you. Watched her walk slowly for about 10 meters, walk in circles, start to move, stop, turn around, carry on, stop, walk, get close, veer off, turn around, then she did find Barry.
Hid the 3+, gave her Barry and sent her to the same point. She hit search and Barry shouted "Move fast". She ran straight to the right area, no hesitation. Barry said "Move slow", then "Hold the device at knee level and look for the smallest value". Straight there with zero confusion.
Repeated the test with my 13 year old, with the same results.
For searching the newer transceiver is night and day better.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Barryvox 2 ordered today 
My old Ortovox was never the easiest to use, it might have been transmitting ok, but the thought of looking for a friend & my kit sending me in circles doesn't appeal.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Great stuff, I'm sure you'll be happy.
Indeed. I was super stressed on my course as missed the target and the instructor was clearly frustrated/confused. So was I!
More tests in the garden and same as above. The 3+ is consistently confused. The Barryvox is consistently fast and accurate.
I'm away for 2 weeks over Easter and will continue to test and practice.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Diggery, I see your logic, and you probably are right...but just because the Barry fines the Ort quicker and further, doesn't mean that it's all down to the Barry. Surely the Ort could be sending out a better signal
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Sat 14-03-26 16:29; edited 1 time in total
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@SnoodyMcFlude, I've seen the difference between barryvox (+pieps) up against Ortovox3 (and others models) in both range tests and practice searches (using various target makes) and its night and day.
The other thing I've observed with the latest models is they don't seem to follow curved flux lines to the target to the same extent. I dont understand why but guess its some calculation that's going on in the softwear. Since I've had my Barryvox I think it's only once taken me on an obvious curved flux line path. Invariably it points almost straight there. Thought I was doing something wrong at first.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@adithorp, yeah I don't doubt, just saying that using only one beep to test one other beep isn't really a decent test. You need them to be tested by multiples to show where the trend is.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@SnoodyMcFlude Yes, of course, there's still the chance that could be the case. But anecdotally there are several range tests out there showing Mammut performing the strongest. And my bet is that the brand new and later released device is better performer, but the only way I'll know for sure is to test more transceivers, or at least for peace of mind have someone search for my Barryvox.
@adithorp - that's exactly what I see too. We covered flux lines in the courses I've done and I've experiences in during drills. I've come to expect that of the 3+ but Barry takes a remarkably straight path every time so far.
It would be quite telling to have overhead drone footage of someone following the arrow on each of several devices.
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