Mountaineering: Ortovox F1 Focus An avalanche transceiver is a bit like bear repellent: best to know how to avoid needing it, but when you do need it, better be sure it works. And avalanche transceivers are about to start working a little differently. By the end of this year, at long last, American heli-skiing operators and search-and-rescue teams will have phased-out the old American standard frequency of If you own one of the dual-frequency devices common in the States, it’ll keep, but otherwise consider the German-made Ortovox F1 Focus, which boasts some strong advantages over previous models. Its built-in speaker eliminates the need for an earplug in all but the most windy conditions. It also offers an illuminated visual readout, with a signal-strength-indicating directional $334. From Climb High, 1861 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT 05482 (802-985-5056), and from REI, Box 1700, Sumner, WA 98390 (800-426-4840). |
Mountaineering: Ortovox F1 Focus
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