This article was first published in the November 2015 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
WIRED product editor Jeremy White -- winter sports enthusiast and gadget buff -- decamped to Skiwelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental in Westendorf, Austria, for a WIRED snow sports special. You can see all of the coverage here.
WIRED's testers buried an avalanche rescue transmitter 25 metres from a fixed point in the Austrian mountains, before one of us set out to locate them using each of the three transceivers. Points were given for the time it took to locate the device, ease of use and extra features.
The DSP PRO is simple to use, with a lockable catch for switching between modes. The digital display uses a compass arrow to track down buried rescue beacons. This had the longest search range on test, but also took the longest to locate its target. 6/10 £298 pieps.com
- Search time: 1 min 31 secs
- Range: 60m
- **Battery life (send):**400 hrs
- Features: Three antennas
With only a basic readout, this three-antenna transceiver is nonetheless the slimmest of its kind. However, it didn't fare as well on battery life -- or range -- as its competitors, nor was it the fastest at tracking down the hidden beacon. 5/10 £289 backcountryaccess.com
- https://www.backcountryaccess.com/Search time: 1 min 17 secs
- Range: 50m
- Battery life (send): 250 hrs
- Features: Multiple burial indicator
This compact transceiver uses audible beeps and a numerical readout to display the whereabouts of errant alpinists. It required just 34 seconds to find the buried beacon. 8/10 £250 ortovox.com
- Search time: 34 secs
- Range: 40m
- Battery life**(send):** 250 hrs
- Features: Recco reflector
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
