BCA Tracker DTS
BCA Tracker DTS
  • Antennas2
  • Multi burialsno
  • Range40
  • Released year2010
  • Availabilityavailable
  • Average price200$

Tracker DTS official promo

An official advertisement by Backcountry Access. The video features a step-by-step user’s manual for the Tracker DTS device. The video shows how to insert batteries into the transceiver, turn it on/off, goes into detail about the receiving/transmitting modes and about the Special mode. Also, from this video you can learn how to enable auto-switching to the transmitting mode and switch on/off the sound signal.

Tracker DTS official info

The Tracker DTS avalanche transceiver is the most trusted and widely used beacon on the market because of its rapid processor and efficient user interface. A real-time digital display shows both direction and distance with bright red LEDs. As the world’s most widely used transceiver, the Tracker DTS has established a strong reputation for durability and reliability.

Specifications

  • Frequency: 457 kHz
  • Max range: 45 meters
  • Search strip width: 40 meters
  • Batteries: three AAA alkaline
  • Battery life: minimum 1 hour in search mode after 200 hours in transmit mode (approximately 250 hours in transmit only or 50 hours in search only)
  • Unit weight: 9.2 oz. / 260 grams (with batteries)
  • Harness weight: 3.5 oz / 100 grams
  • Dimensions: 5.5 x 3.2 x 1.1 (inches) / 14.0 x 8.1 x 2.8 (cm)
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Tracker DTS community reviews

The performance of the transceiver tested in the field. It’s clearly seen that the signal is received at a distance of 40m. This can be said thanks to the light indicators of the transceiver, which give the user convenient and intuitive instructions regarding the direction and distance remaining to the object of the search. In addition to this, you can see how the sound signal changes as the distance remaining to the victim’s beeper decreases.

Tracker DTS is a dual-antenna transceiver. Initially, it had a minimal receiving range that can be used in a digital transceiver. In 2010 the manufacturer has enhanced the receiving range to 40m. However, the beaconviews.com specialists believe that the most optimal receiving range for this type of the transceiver is something closer to 20m.

With the help of this transceiver, the search and rescue of a single victim will not cause any problems due to intuitive light indicators that show only the direction to the search object and the distance remaining. However, things can get complicated at a distance of 2-3 m away from the victim. At this point, the transceiver stops showing the direction, so the user will have to search for the victim’s beeper only by the distance readings. Remember, that Tracker DTS is a dual-antenna transceiver, which makes certain stages of the search somewhat more difficult.

Searching for multiple signals using the Tracker DTS is not intuitive, so you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the device before using it in the field. When working in the Special mode, you can press a designated button on the front panel of the transceiver, which narrows the receiving angle to 70° in front of and behind the user. The Tracker DTS has no designated indicators for the number of victims, so it makes sense to use the Special mode only if you’re completely sure that there are other victims under the snow.

The main advantages of the Tracker DTS are the low price and ease of use during the search for a single victim. The Tracker DTS is quite subpar in comparison with more technologically advanced triple-antenna transceivers.

A brief demonstration of the BCA Tracker DTS transceiver’s performance. Explanation regarding the light indications and sound signals. Switching between modes. Conclusions about the usability and cons and pros of the transceiver.