The Barryvox S2 aims for the high bar set by the Barryvox S. The new S2 will be released in the fall and retails for $599. Photo: Mammut/Barryvox.
With a marketed digital search strip width and range of 70m, the Barryvox S transceiver has been considered an avalanche transceiver benchmark for years. Reliable, if not somewhat complex, to access and master advanced functions, it is not uncommon to see guides and avalanche educators sporting the Barryvox S.
Roughly five years after its introduction, Barryvox will release the S2 and the lower price-point Barryvox 2—an update on the Barryvox 1, this fall. Before getting into more specifics, Barryvox will still offer the older transceivers. For the basics, refer to the overview provided by Barryvox below. You’ll see some hefty price tags—notably, the new Barryvox S2 will carry a suggested retail price of $599, with the Barryvox 2 listed at $399.
We will run a first look on the new models early fall; for now, we’re going off some spec sheets from Mammut. The new models shed some mass, with both models weighing a claimed (unverified) 180g. According to the press materials, that’s a savings of 20g from both the 210g Barryvox S and Barryvox 1. And we’ll confirm this upon arrival, the Barryvox 2 has smaller dimensions and weighs less than the first iteration, too.
Some notable feature highlights on the Barryvox 2 are the following:
- A new display that is easier to read in direct sunlight. The Barryvox 2 uses a MIP (Memory in Pixel) display. A concern with modern displays is power consumption. MIP displays claim to provide exceptional resolution, all while consuming less power.
- Enhanced audio and visual support when fine-searching. Barryvox calls this Intelligent Fine Search Guidance. Come fall, we’ll play with this function to confirm/deny greater search efficiencies.
The Barryvox S2 Details:
- Intelligent fine search guidance – Patented technology with complete interactive visual and acoustic guidance through the fine search.
- Acoustic search guidance – A tone guides you in the direction of the buried subject and allows you to concentrate visually on the avalanche field during the search.
- Analog Search Technology – The extended analog feature allows for a more efficient and accurate search and help in resolving demanding search scenarios with advanced algorithms and signal processing techniques.
- Probe Indication – When the minimum burial depth is found, probe indication guides you visually and acoustically from fine search to pinpointing.
- High-contrast, cutting-edge MIP (Memory in Pixel) display provides exceptional clarity and readability in harsh sunlight.
- Extended Advanced Features – Discover the possibilities of the Barryvox® S2 with the alternative search mode and individually configurable settings, giving you freedom and control in any search scenario.
- Compatible with Mammut app for firmware updates, configuration settings, Barryvox® search training, extended user manual, and knowledge base.
- Intuitive visual interface provides detailed guidance through all search phases and an overview of multiple burial situations.
- Self-Test function checks that the device is transmitting and searching correctly on startup and provides ongoing send and battery test.
- Group Check function quickly and easily checks the transmission frequency and level of devices to ensure optimal functionality.
- Interference Guard intelligently manages and mitigates signal interference and indicates if intererences are detected in both send and search mode.
- Auto-Select function guides you to the strongest/closest signal first in case of a multiple burial situation
- Buried subjects can be selected from a list, marked (MARK) and unmarked (UNMARK)
- Deep Burial Mode – if a deep burial is detected, fine search is automatically started earlier (> 3m) and provides precise guidance.
- Auto guidance: device continues to guide the rescuer to the buried subject in the event of signal failures or overlaps
- Rescue-SEND – Protective function for non-searching rescuers. In the event of a secondary avalanche it automatically switches to SEND to allow the rescuer to be located.
- Auto-revert to SEND – Automatic switch from search to send if a rescuer does not move for four minutes thanks to advanced motion sensor.
- Reverse direction function prevents 180-degree search errors
- Includes Barryvox® carrying system with SafeLock which prevents accidental activation of search mode
- Compatible with lithium batteries (for battery life of 300 hours in SEND)
- Updatable software | Pro Check – Verifies the transmit frequency, the pulse duration as well as the period lengths of the tested device.
- The analog tone allows you to identify signal-overlap or other difficulties encountered during multiple-burial searches and helps in resolving demanding search scenarios. Automatic or manual mode possible.
- Pro-Search Setting – The combination of a digital direction and distance indicator with an analog tone in standard search mode, and allows access to the Alternative Search Mode.
- Clear overview and scrolling function in multiple burial scenarios: Gain an overview of multiple burial situations (up to 16) for more efficient group searches and triage decisions.
- Unmark function for multiple burials
- Deep burial marking up to a distance of 6m
- Vital data – Information about vital data and burial time is displayed in SEND mode for first responders.
- Additional bluetooth channel supports in a faster separation of signals during complicated burial situations.
- Individually configurable settings for audio guidance, visual guidance, Pro Check, vital data detection and time-out definition for rescue send and auto-revert to send
- Fleet Management via Bluetooth
Type: Digital 3-antenna device
Battery life: Standard requirement: at least 200 hours SEND at 10 degrees Celsius, followed by 1 hour SEARCH, at -10 degrees Celsius | Lithium: around 550 hours SEND | Alkaline: around 450 hours SEND
For comparison, here are the Barryvox S details:
- Effective digital search strip width: 70 meters
- Digital receiving range: 70 meters
- Extended search range: extended receiving bandwidth (analog): up to 95 m; Extended search strip width (analog): 100 m
- Circular receiving field: almost identical receiving range for X and Y antennas
- Compatible with lithium batteries (550h battery life in SEND)
- Display: display with background lighting, very easy to read even when wearing polarized glasses
- Acoustic search guidance: a sequence of tones guides you in the direction of the buried subject and ensures that you can keep your eyes on the avalanche field during the search.
- Reverse direction function to avoid 180-degree search errors
- Group check: check the transmission frequency and strength of other avalanche transceivers quickly and easily with this function to ensure correct functionality.
- Intuitive visual interface: guides you intuitively through all search phases and provides an overview of multiple burials.
- Design: ergonomic, impact-proof and break-proof. Can be operated while wearing gloves
- Automatic self test: your Barryvox® checks your transmit and search function signal when it is switched on and carries out regular transmission and battery tests.
- The only smart guidance through the fine search phase available on the market: the most advanced method for locating buried subjects offers unparalleled support and clear instructions in the most critical and stressful rescue phase.
- Selection function for multiple burials: in the case of multiple burials, burials can be selected, marked and unmarked on a list.
- Buried subjects can be selected from a list, marked (MARK) and unmarked (UNMARK)
- Automatic switching from send to search (Auto Revert): if a rescuer does not move for 4 minutes, we assume a secondary avalanche and the device switches to SEND mode (motion-sensor controlled)
- Rescue SEND: safety function for rescuer not searching with an avalanche transceiver, which temporarily blocks the transmitted signal. In the event of a secondary avalanche burial, you can be located again thanks to automatic switching from search to send.
- Auto guidance: device continues to guide the rescuer to the buried subject in the event of signal failures or overlaps
- Alternative search mode (analog mode) helps in resolving demanding search scenarios
- Personalization: start screen and user texts (for example, owner information) can be personalized
- Barryvox carrying system (included in delivery): safe and comfortable wearing of the avalanche transceiver on the upper body.
- W-Link: Additional communication channel for improved search performance
- Manage the device fleet via W-Link
- Updatable software | Operating temperature: -25° to +45° Celsius (-13° to +113° Fahrenheit)
- Burial data: vital and burial data are displayed for first responders in SEND mode.
- Pro search settings: combines a digital direction and distance display with an analog tone in the standard search mode and allows access to the alternative search mode.
Type: Digital/analog combo device with 3 antennas
Battery life: Alkaline: around 300 hours SEND
Lithium: around 400 hours SEND