BeaconReviews.com contains information to help you choose an avalanche beacon that meets your needs. For example, if you need a very long range and will only have a single burial that is near the surface (so spikes are not an issue), the Ortovox M2 may be the transceiver for you. If you have more typical conditions, a multiple-antenna digital beacon is probably more appropriate.

Here are the test conclusions:

• My top picks are the Ortovox S1, the Pieps DSP and the Pulse Barryvox. They have long ranges, allow you to suppress a transceiver during a multiple burial, and their third antennas are excellent at dealing with spikes. The S1 has a unique display, the Pulse has a rich set of features, and the Pieps is easier to use.
   
• Second place is a four-way tie between the ARVA Advanced, ARVA Evolution+, Barryvox 3000. and the Tracker DTS. These are all solid two-antenna transceivers.
   
• Third place is a tie between all of the single-antenna beacons (e.g., the Ortovox F1 and M2). These are fine avalanche transceivers with great ranges, but they require significantly more skill and practice.

The bottom line is that any of the transceivers ranked three-stars or above are fine as long as you learn how to use it and practice frequently. I would rather ski with a skilled rescuer wearing a lower-ranked beacon than with an unskilled rescuer wearing a higher-ranked beacon.

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