Backcountry Access Tracker S Review

The BCA Tracker S is a slightly pared-down, less expensive version of other Tracker models. The most important difference between this model and more expensive versions is that you can't update the software on the Tracker S. To be fair, BCA rarely releases software updates, and when they do, it's often to tweak the signal to add a slight advantage to resisting electromagnetic interference, but nothing that comes close to affecting overall performance. The other difference is that instead of a motion sensor, the Tracker S auto-reverts to send after lying stationary for five minutes, which is a useful safety feature in case you're hit with a secondary avalanche while searching for someone who is already buried.

Speed

Sharing the same processor as the other Tracker models, the Tracker S is fast at finding buried victims. The most likely burial scenario for recreational backcountry skiers is a single burial, and in this situation, the Tracker S consistently ranks among the fastest beacons in our test.

As the beacon search progresses from the coarse search (where you're covering lots of ground) into the fine search (where you're moving slowly near the snow surface), we slow down as beacons often need more time to process information to find the lowest possible distance between you and the buried victim. While best practice is to move slowly and smoothly during a fine search, we could move more fluidly with the Tracker S. There is virtually no “lag” with this beacon, so we could move confidently without having to pause to let the beacon catch up. This “direct action” feedback makes the most stressful part of a search just slightly less stressful, especially when adrenaline is pumping, and we want to move quickly.

Interface

The Tracker S is one of the simplest beacons on the market and is easy to figure out. Once you understand the symbols, you can essentially use this intuitive beacon right out of the box. The screen is bright, and the indicators are easy to follow.

Our primary complaint with BCA beacons, in general, is their insistence on using confusing acronyms as symbology. The general colloquialisms for sending and receiving a signal are “Send” and “Search” – other manufacturers use this terminology on their switches. BCA, on the other hand, labels its Send function as “Transmit” or “TR” on the dial. This may more accurately describe what the beacon is doing, but we have found it causes constant confusion amongst new users.

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Accuracy

The fast processor of the Tracker S allows it to transmit real-time data, which keeps you on track throughout a search. In the coarse search phase, distances update frequently, but compared to other beacons we tested, the direction arrows are jumpy and can be harder to follow.

However, the Tracker S excels once you reach the fine-search phase. In accuracy tests searching for targets buried 1 meter deep, the Tracker S would consistently bring us to within 25 cm of a probe strike. Testing the top beacons side by side, we find this to be normal for an experienced user doing a proper bracket. When used properly, the Tracker S puts you right where you need to be.

Multiple Burials

The Tracker S is built to easily jump to the strongest, closest signal. Using BCA's proprietary Signal Suppression function, it can also suppress a single signal for 60 seconds. Like most things, these particular design features have advantages and disadvantages.

The ability to easily switch between signals is fantastic in complex situations where multiple beacons are buried near each other. In these situations, the multi-burial feature – whether it be Signal Suppression or a mark or flag function – is more likely to fail, either because it does not blind the intended signal or, worse, blinds two signals at once. The ability to distinguish among and switch between multiple signals in close proximity allows you to think and work through this difficult situation without relying on your beacon's processor alone.

For very close proximity burials, you need to be aware that the Tracker S disengages Signal Suppression after 60 seconds, at which point it will again begin to pick up multiple signals. This design aspect isn't as important when people are buried further apart, since its ability to lock onto the closest signal ensures you stay with the closest beacon. However, when two models are buried very close together, it can be problematic unless you act quickly to find the first beacon.

Users attempting complex burials with the Tracker S will want to become familiar with its Big Picture mode. This function lets you “see” the entire field by displaying the directions and distances of all the signals the beacon picks up. This is a powerful tool that can help you make a mental map of the avalanche debris and plan out your search. This tool is pretty useful, but it ultimately feels a bit clunky and old compared to newer beacons, which let you scroll through the signals and choose the one you want to follow.

Range

Although BCA claims the Tracker S has a maximum range of 50 meters, we consistently measured an average range of 42 meters in our tests. This is on the lower side of average, compared to the current market. This is the average distance at which we picked up a consistent signal from a single buried target.

Should You Buy the Backcountry Access Tracker S?

For the price, this is our favorite beacon, namely because it's so easy to use. The entry-level beacons have become much more capable in recent years, including this one. But unlike the Tracker S, many of them have also become much more expensive. We believe this beacon is quite good, given its overall performance relative to its price point.

What Other Avalanche Beacons Should You Consider?