Avalanche transceivers · Test magazine 2022
Tech talk with Simon Allwein, BCA EUROPE
Sales & Marketing Coordinator · Print page 113
Who is Simon Allwein? Sales & Marketing Coordinator at BCA EUROPE
Simon Allwein is Sales & Marketing Coordinator at BCA EUROPE. In the 2022 BACKLINE test magazine, he discusses avalanche transceivers, product development and avalanche safety. At the time of the interview, he had been snowboarding for almost 30 years and splitboarding for ten. He lived in Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, for eight years, gaining extensive backcountry experience and studying avalanche safety in depth.
Allwein identifies the 1997 BCA Tracker DTS as a milestone, describing it as the world’s first digital avalanche transceiver with multiple antennas. He outlines the range available at the time: Tracker S, Tracker 3+ and Tracker 4, from an easy-to-use entry-level device to a professional model with multiple-burial functions. The redesigned Float E2 avalanche airbags, featuring an electronic trigger system and Alpride E2 supercapacitor, represent a development focus.
Allwein also describes safety testing for BCA transceivers manufactured in Boulder, Colorado. This includes range, durability, cold resistance and electronic interference tests, alongside field testing by mountain guides and experienced freeriders. He highlights product longevity as a way to reduce waste. For maintenance, he recommends removing batteries after winter, installing fresh ones at the season’s start and checking range before each season.
What were the milestones in the evolution of avalanche transceivers and BCA in general?
The first digital avalanche transceivers (LVS devices) with more than one antenna revolutionized the market. In 1997, the BCA Tracker DTS was the world's first digital multi-antenna avalanche transceiver, and it profoundly shaped the scene.
With what developments and innovations is BCA going into the coming winter?
As in the previous year, we offer 3 different LVS models: Tracker S, Tracker 3+, and Tracker 4. The Tracker S is our entry-level device at an affordable price – the 'S' stands for simple, meaning easy, intuitive operation for beginners to advanced users. The Tracker 4 is our fully equipped, professional LVS device with signal suppression and Big Picture Mode for multiple burial scenarios. This is used by our professional BCA mountain guides worldwide. The Tracker 3+ sits in the middle of these two devices. This winter, we have fully focused on our completely redesigned avalanche airbags with an electric activation system, the Float-E2s with the Alpride E2 supercapacitor. However, there will also be very interesting innovations in other product areas in the future.
What development stages and tests do BCA products undergo before they hit the shelves?
BCA LVS devices are manufactured in Boulder, Colorado, and undergo a lot of safety tests there before they go on sale. For example, range, search strip width, and burial depth are simulated and tested in Faraday cages. The robustness of the LVS devices is tested in special 'shaker machines,' and cold resistance is tested in an industrial deep freezer. The electronic interference of other devices on ours is also checked and largely minimized. In addition to all these technical tests, we heavily involve our global Ambassador Team, consisting of mountain guides and experienced freeriders, in research and development. They spend a lot of time on the mountain and put all new products through their paces. This valuable feedback is reflected in every single BCA product. Finally, all products are also TÜV or CE certified before they end up in stores.
Can / are BCA products recycled?
Yes, some of our products can be recycled. However, at BCA, we have always believed that high-quality and durable products are the best way to avoid unnecessary waste.
What needs to be checked on LVS equipment each year before winter, and how should the products be maintained/cared for?
For LVS devices, we recommend removing the batteries after the winter season and ideally using a new set of batteries at the beginning of the new season. The reason: with some batteries, liquid can leak out during unfavorable storage over the summer, potentially damaging the LVS device. We also recommend testing the range before each new season to ensure the device is functioning properly.
