Backcountry Access Tracker3+ Review

The BCA Tracker 3+ was released because BCA started receiving some circuit board hardware from a different supplier. This meant some minor firmware updates were needed – otherwise, it is the same reliable beacon we've loved since 2014. Our testers compared the Tracker 3+ directly with an older Tracker 3, and we can confirm that the changes were so minor that they didn't noticeably affect this beacon's reliable performance.

Speed

The Tracker 3+ has the same processor as other current Tracker models, and all of these beacons are fast, especially in a single-burial search. Compared to other beacons on the market, the Tracker series can feel a bit outdated – there are very few frills to a BCA beacon. But where it distinctly doesn't feel outdated is in how quickly it lets you work a rescue. We consistently moved faster with Tracker 3+ in a single rescue scenario than many of the other beacons we tested, simply because its processor kept up with our movement in real time.

BCA states that their design philosophy is “simplicity is speed”. This point is tough to argue with, particularly during stressful situations. Even though other beacons offer more features, the Tracker 3+ includes the core features most users want while consistently delivering the fastest rescue times for 1-2-person burials.

Interface

The Tracker 3+ is a very simple beacon to use. There is no need to dive into menus and settings (nor are there any to dive into), and the beacon is essentially ready to go right out of the box. We greatly appreciate this beacon for its bright, easy-to-read display and simple functionality.

Our main complaint with the Tracker 3+ – and all BCA beacons, for that matter – is that it doesn't use the colloquial “send” and “search” terms on its on-off switch. Instead, BCA uses the term “transmit” for what many people call “send” – technically speaking, “transmit” is the more accurate term, but it consistently causes a lot of confusion among folks new to this technology. Additionally, “tr,” which is used to symbolize “transmit” on the display, at first glance, looks a lot like “er”, which is regularly mistaken for an error code.

Accuracy

The processor Tracker 3+ displays numbers as close to real time as we have seen on any beacon. Since you can adjust as quickly as new information comes in, this fast feedback keeps you moving in the right direction. Our only complaint is that in the coarse search, where you're still more than 3 meters (10 feet) away from your target, the directional arrows can be a bit jumpy. This forces us to slow down an otherwise speedy rescue.

The Tracker 3+, like all BCA beacons, excels once you hit the fine search phase inside 3 meters. For targets buried up to 1 meter deep, we would reliably land within 25 cm of a probe strike every time. While this is on par with most other beacons we've tested, it's reassuring to know that the Tracker 3+ consistently performs well during a fine search, which is generally the most stressful phase of a beacon search.

Multiple Burials

The Tracker 3+ does a decent job with two burials, but beyond that, it's far from our top choice for more complex, multi-burial rescues. Many other beacons on the market have a flagging function that marks a buried beacon's signal and ignores it, so once you find that person, you can move on to search for others. The BCA Trackers have a similar Signal Suppression feature, but it only ignores one signal at a time and for only one minute. You can imagine this is quite useful for up to two burials, but beyond that, the one-minute time limit will feel too short.

However, experienced users trained in various techniques for complex rescues will likely appreciate how the Tracker 3+ handles multiple burials in close proximity. We've noticed that the Tracker 3+ won't lock onto a single signal as tightly as some other beacons with a flagging function. This is advantageous for using a micro search strip and the 3-circle method, where you're actually looking for a quick switch of the signal while meticulously combing a debris field – the signal switch is your cue that you are on a new signal, so you can go find that next beacon.

Along these lines, one of the most helpful features of the Tracker 3+ is Big Picture mode. This function will display all the signals within range simultaneously by rapidly cycling through each buried beacon's distance and direction. This allows you to build a mental map of the field and better understand which target you need to head toward next.

Range

The maximum stated range of the Tracker 3+ is 50 meters. For our testing, we recorded the distance at which we picked up a consistent signal from a single target and averaged the results to determine real-world performance. The Tracker 3+ had an average range of 42 meters in our tests, which is on the lower end of the industry average these days, but still on point with what can be expected on any given rescue.

Should You Buy the Backcountry Access Tracker 3+?

The Tracker 3+ is a simple, easy-to-use beacon that won't break the bank (period). It's a great choice to help you get started in the backcountry, and even as your skills and experience progress, you may find you appreciate its speed and simplicity – some of our testers, through this process, have certainly come back around to the value of the Tracker 3+. For aspiring ski guides and rookie ski patrollers, the standard in the avalanche industry is to carry a beacon with greater functionality for multi-burial rescues. But for everyone else, even a decade on, the Tracker 3+ still sets the standard for overall value.

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