ProView – Black Diamond Pieps Pro IPS Review
Out of the box the set up is simple and the beacon is ready to go. For this review I will use “beacon” and “transceiver” interchangeably
Black Diamond Pieps Pro IPS
Product Name: Black Diamond Pieps Pro IPS
Product Description: After more than four years of development, PIEPS presents a new, groundbreaking avalanche transceiver that heralds a new era: the PIEPS PRO IPS with 80m search strip width and an especially stable transmission and search performance thanks to its INTERFERENCE PROTECTION SYSTEM (IPS) and DUAL ANTENNA SIGNAL PROCESSING (DASP) technology.
Offer price: MSRP: $529.95
Currency: USD
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Quality
(5)
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Features
(5)
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Durability
(4)
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Fit
(5)
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Ease of Use
(5)
Summary
This beacon is awesome. I would highly recommend it to anyone working in avalanche terrain and for recreational users that spend a lot of time in the backcountry. It has become part of my daily kit for storm days using lift assist access and for guiding.
Overall
4.8Pros
- Ease of going into Search from Send and there is zero question that it’s in either
- The haptic response (vibration) when going back into Send
- The Interference Protection system!
- Updating firmware with an app
- Ergonomic fit while in use
- Super intuitive switching into search mode
- Chest harness locks in the wand to prevent switching modes.
Cons
- Needing the app to make adjustments
- Leash and chest harness are separate piece — I feel like I’ll forget one when packing for a trip, but less of an issue for folks that set it and forget it.
- The size of the chest harness could be an issue for folks with smaller torsos.
As with any life-saving gear (and gear in general) I read through the user manual to figure out set up and basic how-tos. Unlike some other transceivers out there that require registration before use, the PIEPS Pro IPS did not. It was easy to set up and even included batteries! Also included are a chest harness and leash for pocket carry (yes, two separate pieces – more on that later). I’m an apprentice ski guide with the AMGA as well as avalanche educator. Additionally I work in a backcountry centric ski shop and volunteer for backcountry events like Beacon Bash & Cascadia Splitfest. For years I’ve been using the Mammut Barryvox S as my personal transceiver and staying up-to-date with the use of other offerings from avalanche safety manufacturers. For this review I did not study up on the Pieps PRO IPS before practicing with it to feel how easy (or difficult) it was to use.
What’s so special about the The Pieps PRO IPS (Interference Protection System)? The wand of the transceiver is further away from its own electronics to have less electronic interference or EMI. The folding antenna is surprisingly robust! While I didn’t quite smash on it, I did try twisting and wrenching on the antenna within reason of a person frantically deploying their beacon. I feel that even in a stressful situation a human could not break this without seriously trying! There is a second antenna at the base of the unit thus giving it, according to Pieps, Dual Antenna Signal Processing which will help in deep burial situations. But the real value for me is that the IPS function is (according to Pieps) to prevent interference from metal objects — phones and other electronics — from hindering the sending of its signal. Does this mean you can store your phone in the same pocket as your beacon? NO! But it does make me feel better knowing the signal I’m putting out won’t get lost in the sauce. Pieps claims a 70m signal sending range with multiple EMI objects while “Other” beacon’s signal range is reduced to 35m. There is a victim selection feature to allow you to select a signal from SCAN mode. It feels very situational or scenario based that anyone would need that feature outside of the professional rescue world.
While in Search mode, there are a number displays for the search distance; this number will reduce if there is significant EMI nearby. With my phone in the same hand as the beacon, the number reduced from 80m to 20m.
Use
Powering up the beacon is intuitive, straight forward and obvious if done incorrectly. It’s like finally someone made a transceiver that is ergonomic in hand! It works perfectly for right handed use with the button layout while not being cumbersome to work left handed. The Flag button is centered and feels easy enough with either hand to hit while the SCAN worked best when I used my right-hand thumb. A stand out feature was that not only does the beacon’s display change but there is also audio and vibration when it’s reverting from search to send! Another thing that leaves no question what’s going on with it.
Accessing the inclinometer is pretty useful as I try to always keep my transceiver handy. While the button can be hard to push with gloves on for the 3 seconds it required to activate, it’s a great innovation regardless. While the screen is pretty clear on what’s going on, using only two letters for the current primary function feels pretty dated considering what devices are capable of. It should be possible for the unit to use more than two letters, just a thought.
While stored in my hip pocket the beacon felt like any phone sized object and did shift a bit more then my Barryvox S. Seemingly this is from the firm exterior and slimmer size of the Pieps Pro.
There is a three second window while powering up the beacon to go into Group Check mode by pressing the Function button. This reduces the search range to 1m and will revert back to Send mode after some time.
Once I got through the registration process via the Pieps app, accessing the function controls was a breeze. I could adjust the BEEP volume, screen brightness and access Analog mode. Without much familiarity, I took the IPS out to our local Avalanche Beacon park and went through some practice searches. These were very smooth even with multi burial scenarios! The PRO IPS was very fast after flagging a “victim” to move on to the next with a very clear direction. The tone and display change when getting closer into the “Fine Search” with simple to understand ease. This was so intuitive! Personally I wear a transceiver in a chest harness while lift-access freeriding and storm days as I’m less likely to swap layers as much as while I am touring when I prefer the use of a dedicated pocket in my bibs/pants. This swapping back and forth does mean I have to have both the leash and chest harness readily available. Which I do think is a bit of a negative compared to just unclipping the leash from my Barryvox’s harness and placing it in my pocket. That said, the harness Pieps made is sweet! It’s very comfortable and simple to get the beacon out quickly.
The Final Word
This beacon is awesome. I would highly recommend it to anyone working in avalanche terrain and for recreational users that spend a lot of time in the backcountry. It has become part of my daily kit for storm days using lift assist access and for guiding.
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About the Gear Tester
