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Arva Neo BT Pro Review

This reasonably affordable, feature-rich transceiver is also one of the easiest to use
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Arva Neo BT Pro Review (The Arva Neo BT Pro is as fully functional and easy-to-follow as it is stylish.)
The Arva Neo BT Pro is as fully functional and easy-to-follow as it is stylish.
Credit: Dom Rickicki
Price:  $430 List
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Manufacturer:   Arva
By Dom Rickicki and Ian Nicholson  ⋅  May 13, 2024
79
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#4 of 10
  • Speed - 30% 8.0
  • Interface - 25% 7.5
  • Accuracy - 20% 7.0
  • Multiple Burials - 15% 8.0
  • Range - 10% 10.0

Our Verdict

beacon at this price point offers the same range or multiple-burial functionality as the Neo Pro BT. What particularly sets this model apart is its ability to switch to an analog-only search function – a function often only utilized by professional rescuers. However, its accuracy isn't quite on par with some of the other pro-level beacons, and it has a few quirks during multiple burial searches. Otherwise, the Neo Pro BT is quite intuitive to use. This highly capable transceiver would work well in the hands of any professional shopping on a budget or would be a valuable investment for a more experienced recreationalist. See how it stacks up against the competition in our in-depth avalanche beacons review.
REASONS TO BUY
Intuitive design
Long maximum ranges
Fast processor
Analog and digital modes
REASONS TO AVOID
Less accurate at maximum range
Less precise in the fine search
Range decreases significantly with multiple burials
Editor's Note: We recently adjusted our scoring metrics and retested the Neo Pro BT. We updated this review on May 13, 2024.

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arva neo bt pro
This Product
Arva Neo BT Pro
Awards Best Buy Award
Most Capable Mid-Priced Beacon
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Avalanche Beacon
Editors' Choice Award
Best for Avalanche Professionals
Top Pick Award
Most Efficient Beacon
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line An intuitive model that manages to pack in a host of user-friendly features, whose price point will appeal to a wide range of backcountry skiersAn easy-to-follow display and just the right amount of features make this the perfect option for most backcountry usersPerfect for pros or advanced users, this model performs well in every test metricBCA honors the 'simplicity is speed' mantra, including only the most sought-after features in this fast and intuitive beaconWith an easy to use interface and a very fast processor, this an ideal option for intro-level backcountry skiers and riders
Rating Categories Arva Neo BT Pro Black Diamond Recon X Mammut Barryvox S Backcountry Access... Backcountry Access...
Speed (30%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
9.0
9.0
Interface (25%)
7.5
8.0
7.5
8.0
6.0
Accuracy (20%)
7.0
10.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
Multiple Burials (15%)
8.0
7.0
9.5
5.0
5.0
Range (10%)
10.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
Specs Arva Neo BT Pro Black Diamond Recon X Mammut Barryvox S Backcountry Access... Backcountry Access...
Manufacturer's Stated Max Range 90 m 60 m 70 m 55 m 55 m
Measured Range 62 m 40 m 55 m 42 m 42 m
Flagging Feature Yes Yes Yes No (Signal Suppression) No (Signal Suppression)
Digital or Analog Modes Both Digital Both Digital Digital
Stated Battery Life (in "Send") Alkaline: 350 hours
Lithium: 450 hours
400 hours 300 hours 250 hours 250 hours
Number of Antennae 3 3 3 3 3
Measured Weight 214 g 217 g 210 g 215 g 165 g

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Arva Neo BT Pro is an ultra-capable transceiver with several professional-level features. It offers best-in-class range, a flagging function with a scroll, a group check function, an internal motion sensor and auto-revert function, a sensor for electromagnetic interference, the ability to switch between digital and analog search modes, the option to switch between alkaline and lithium batteries, and is Bluetooth compatible to manage settings and software from your smartphone. Although it struggles with accuracy, especially during multiple burials, any competent user could easily navigate these issues.

Performance Comparison


arva neo bt pro - a pro-level beacon like the arva neo bt pro has a more complicated...
A pro-level beacon like the Arva Neo BT Pro has a more complicated interface than a simpler base model beacon.
Credit: Dom Rickicki

Speed


When we examine a beacon's speed, we consider how quickly the processor can relay information to the screen. We also consider any bugs that might occur during both the coarse and fine search phases and how those might cause a user to slow down in their search. The Neo BT Pro has a speedy processor and relays information quickly, which is particularly useful in the fine search phase. It is also particularly fast at processing multiple burials at shorter distances, a scenario where many other beacons experience a lag.


Interestingly, where we had issues related to speed is at the maximum extent of its range. At these distances, the Neo BT Pro struggled to lock into an accurate distance, which made starting a coarse search more challenging. It would also sometimes misread the distance as we neared the fine search phase – the numbers would suddenly drop from double digits to less than three meters, and we would have to unexpectedly drop to our knees to search the snow surface.

With multiple burials, the Neo BT Pro kept its speed in the fine search the best among the pro-level beacons in our test.
Credit: Dom Rickicki

Interface


We appreciate a beacon that has an intuitive button layout and whose functions are easy to access. We want a simple, straightforward interface that doesn't impede our ability to perform a rescue – we want to focus on the task at hand, not be thinking about how to operate our transceiver. Professional-level beacons tend to pack in a lot of functions, with typically only a few buttons to access them all. Compared to other beacons of this caliber, the Neo Pro BT is relatively straightforward to operate.


Most of the functions are easy to access, and you can easily switch from digital to analog mode while conducting a search. The flagging function allows you to seamlessly scroll through multiple signals, and the group check function is accessible anytime from send. Our only complaint, which is quite small, is just that the Neo Pro BT requires a connection to the phone app to switch into pro mode. While this is a quick one time adjustment of settings, we appreciate when all modes can be accessed directly on the beacon.

For the price, the Arva Neo BT Pro offers more functions than any other beacon in the same range. The scroll function shown here is typically only seen in more expensive models.
Credit: Dom Rickicki

Notable Features


The Neo Pro BT is easily among the most feature-rich models in our review. Some of our favorites that we feel greatly improved the usefulness of this beacon include the ability to manage up to four signals at a time, the ability to use Bluetooth to manage settings and software with your smartphone, and, in particular, the incredibly easy group check function.

arva neo bt pro - this beacon utilizes a classic three-way switch that's easy to...
This beacon utilizes a classic three-way switch that's easy to manipulate with one hand.
Credit: Dom Rickicki

It can be challenging to run an efficient function check of your group's beacons at the trailhead, but the Neo Pro BT couldn't make it easier. After initial boot-up just press the flag button while the “Group Check” icon is flashing, and voila! It eliminates the signal lock to quickly check the send signal of your partner's beacons. One thing we particularly love about this particular group check mode is the ability to enter it at any time while in send – which is not true of other high-end beacons in our lineup.

arva neo bt pro - the group check function the neo bt pro is always accessible from...
The group check function the Neo BT Pro is always accessible from send.
Credit: Dom Rickicki

The other particularly handy feature is this beacon's ability to sense electromagnetic interference. There has been a lot of research conducted recently on how other electronic devices negatively affect your beacon's ability to perform properly. To help avoid any potential issues, the Neo BT Pro includes a sensor that can identify occurrences of EMI, indicated by a small icon at the top of the screen directing the user to move the other device an appropriate distance away from the beacon.

Arva provides a comfortable harness for the Neo BT Pro that we found...
Arva provides a comfortable harness for the Neo BT Pro that we found easy to use.
The Arva Neo BT Pro includes a cool harness function that allows you...
The Arva Neo BT Pro includes a cool harness function that allows you to utilize only the belt if you want to pocket-carry but don't have a beacon pocket with a clip inside of it.


Accuracy


While fine-searching with the Neo BT Pro, we were able to land within 25 cm of a probe strike each time for a target buried up to 1 meter. This level of accuracy is where all of our award-winning beacons land and is common for most of the beacons in our test. When we test accuracy we only allow for one single bracket to see where the beacon lands.


During the coarse search, the Neo BT Pro struggled to achieve an accurate signal at the maximum extent of its range. After acquiring a signal, we would often need to walk in slowly because the distance would jump up and down for about 10 meters before locking into a consistent descending distance. As we neared the fine search phase (around 10 meters), the beacon would sometimes rapidly drop from double-digit distances down to 3 meters. This would catch us off guard, forcing us to slow down and bracket to make sure we were still on the right path.

arva neo bt pro - once you're within a reasonable distance, the neo pro bt even...
Once you're within a reasonable distance, the Neo Pro BT even provides a helpful prod to pull out your probe.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Multiple Burials


Guides, patrollers, or other avalanche workers pay attention – this is one of the few beacons we endorse as suitable for professional-level companion rescue assessments, like the AMGA and ACMG's Ski Guide and the A3 Pro 1 avalanche rescue assessment. The Neo BT Pro will display up to four signals simultaneously, and any additional will be noted with a plus symbol and can be cycled through using the plus and minus buttons on the front. In our testing, this model was generally able to differentiate beacons quite well, even if two beacons were in close proximity (less than 2 meters).


The Neo BT Pro can also easily switch between digital and analog modes for more advanced applications. The advantage is any signal lock can be completely turned off, letting the beacon jump freely between signals while allowing the rescuer to hear them simultaneously. This design is essential for “micro-strip” searching, which is many professionals' go-to troubleshooting technique for complex situations involving multiple close proximity burials. What is particularly nice about the analog mode of the Neo Pro BT is that it still labels the number of beacons while also giving the current distance to the closest one.

arva neo bt pro - we love that the neo bt pro can switch easily in and out of analog...
We love that the Neo BT Pro can switch easily in and out of analog mode, which can help with close proximity and other more complex burials.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

While all of the Neo BT Pro's functions work as advertised, it does struggle a bit with accuracy in multiple burial scenarios. The weird distance drop we mentioned before seemed to get worse the more targets we added to the rescue. While we never had to repeat a search for a target, it was a quirk we needed to anticipate. Compared to other models, the range at which the Neo BT Pro picked up multiple burials after acquiring the first signal was much shorter. At distances where other beacons would have four signals displayed, the Neo BT Pro would only have picked up two or three.

arva neo bt pro - with a rapid drop in numbers, we often found ourselves working on...
With a rapid drop in numbers, we often found ourselves working on the snow surface earlier than with other similar beacons. Multiple buried targets seemed to make this problem worse.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Range


With a range of 80 meters with ideal coupling – as measured by Arva – the Neo BT Pro offers the longest range on the market. But our testing simulated real-world rescue scenarios, where you don't generally have ideal coupling, so we averaged the distances at which we would acquire a signal most often. The average range of the Neo BT Pro was still 62 meters, which is outstanding among the beacons we tested.


We think people typically put too much weight on the maximum range – in our experience, it doesn't actually help people find a buried target that much faster. However, if we're talking about the Neo BT Pro nearly doubling the search strip width of many other beacons on the market, that does absolutely make a difference in a rescue. The ability to walk straight downhill versus having to descend in a zig-zagging pattern is so much more efficient. Considering that the search field of an avalanche large enough to bury someone is often just slightly smaller than a football field, this is a pretty big advantage.

arva neo bt pro - the increased range and ability to efficiently clear a debris field...
The increased range and ability to efficiently clear a debris field is certainly one of the characteristics that sets the Neo BT Pro apart from other pro-level beacons we tested.
Credit: Dom Rickicki

Should You Buy the Arva Neo BT Pro?


The Neo BT Pro is a capable beacon suitable for a wide range of users. It is an ideal option for all but the newest backcountry skiers and riders only because there are beacons that are easier to use during the fine search. But even for the person about to take their very first avalanche course, if you're committed and plan on practicing your rescue skills regularly – as you should! – this is a relatively affordable option that allows for an immense amount of growth. Even for the aspiring or seasoned professional, the Neo BT Pro does as well as any other we tested during the AMGA's four-beacon avalanche rescue assessment, which is one of the more demanding drills for an avalanche transceiver.

What Other Avalanche Beacons Should You Consider?


The Arva Neo BT Pro easily competes with our other top-scoring models, though individual beacons do have their niches. The Neo BT Pro is nearly as feature-rich as the Mammut Barryvox S, with only a few quirks to navigate to get the same results. Less experienced users will likely find the more straightforward Black Diamond Guide BT is better in the fine search, while more experienced users might argue that the increased range of the Neo BT Pro is superior for clearing the field of multiple targets. Alternatively, the Backcountry Access Tracker4 is simpler, easier to use, and arguably the fastest to find a single-person burial.

Dom Rickicki and Ian Nicholson