The BCA Tracker2 is still one of the more popular avalanche transceivers on the market, and BCA just announced a software update for it.
The update primarily affects the Tracker2’s “power saving” mode, and they’re recommending that all Tracker2 owners take advantage of the update, though any Tracker2 will still function without the update, provided that you follow BCA’s best practices outlined in the user manual for the Tracker2. This update only applies to the Tracker2, and not BCA’s other transceiver models.
You can read the full press release below for more detailed info and head to BCA’s site for a FAQ section on the update. For Tracker2 users who want to get the software update, you can fill out this online form and then BCA will pay for incoming and return shipping.
Full Press Release from BCA:
BACKCOUNTRY ACCESS ANNOUNCES SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR TRACKER2 TRANSCEIVERS
BOULDER, CO (June 29, 2020) – Backcountry Access, Inc. (BCA) has announced a software update specifically and exclusively for its Tracker2 avalanche transceivers. The company recommends that all Tracker2 owners take advantage of this update.
This software update improves functionality during power-saving mode. After 12 hours without user input, Tracker2 enters into power-saving mode and begins emitting an audible beep every two minutes to let you know you are in lower power mode. In power-saving mode, the Tracker2 transmit pulse can vary slightly from the international standard. All avalanche transceiver brands must operate on the same international standard to ensure interoperability.
To keep your transceiver out of power-saving mode, simply turn the transceiver off and on or check the battery power level at least once a day.
In addition, BCA strongly recommends that all users follow best practices as described in the Tracker2 manual to ensure all transceivers are functioning properly before venturing into the backcountry. This includes a transceiver trailhead test every time you use your Tracker2, routinely checking that all transceivers in your party transmit and receive properly, and that your Tracker2 has sufficient battery power.
To obtain the Tracker2 software update, go to www.backcountryaccess.com/T2-software-update and fill out the software update request form. Once your form is processed, you will receive an email with information on how to ship your Tracker2 to the distributor in your region. BCA will pay for incoming and return shipping on all units submitted for updates. The software update is exclusively available for the BCA Tracker2 model of avalanche transceivers.
For more information, please visit www.backcountryaccess.com/T2-software-update.
About Backcountry Access
Backcountry Access (BCA) is a leading manufacturer of snow safety equipment, including BCA TrackerTM avalanche transceivers, Float avalanche airbags, BC LinkTM radios, MtnProTM snowmobile gear, avalanche probes, and shovels. BCA’s mission is to save lives, not just sell products. BCA considers avalanche education to be as important as its avalanche safety equipment and delivers all its products with consumer education and knowledgeable customer service.
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For more information, contact info@backcountryaccess.com or (800) 670-8735.
I love bugs like this one, mostly because can they tell you an awful lot about how the implementation works.
For example in this case it’s very likely that the logic that generates the audible beep in sleep mode is taking a lock, that in turn delays the beacon’s 457 kHz pulse relative to its expected timebase. That isn’t the end of the world in most circumstances, but it could conceivably confuse other beacons’ “marking” functions in a multi-burial scenario, by causing the T2’s pulse to occur at an unexpected time and therefore appear to be a previously unknown beacon.