Review: Pieps Pro IPS Avalanche Beacon

• Size: 4.75” x 3” x 1”
• Weight: 212g
• Stated Range: 70m (80m search strip width)
• Multiple Burial Marking: Flag button
• Additional Features: Dual Antenna Signal Processing, Inclinometer, Scan modes, Group Check, Interference Protection System, Auto-diagnostics, Bluetooth App Connection, Auto Antenna Switch, Auto-Revert, Backup Mode

Recall Notice: 

A small batch of the initial models of the Pieps Pro IPS that were sold and distributed were subjected to a recall to repair a potential issue with the battery terminals. Any units sold after this publication date from Pieps should be unaffected. Read more about the recall here. Contact Pieps or Black Diamond directly to check if your unit is affected.

Features and Interface:

Picking up the beacon, you’ll immediately notice that the antenna uniquely folds out of the beacon’s body to switch from transmit to search mode. The arm that folds out actually contains the X-axis antenna (the Y-axis antenna is inside the body below the screen). Opening the antenna exposes the power button and the “function” button, preventing any accidental power/mode issues when it’s stowed. The top of the beacon has a third button that enables a “scan” mode, and the face contains a large digital display and the flag/mark button. 

The button placement for all of these is great, but unfortunately most testers found them all quite hard to actually press, especially with gloves on. They are all tiny, and the stiff rubber coating makes it more difficult than we’d like to push them.

The unique form factor and interface of the Pieps Pro IPS is perhaps the most striking feature of the unit, but it’s the software inside that really sets this unit apart. The Dual Antenna Signal Processing and the IPS tech are the backbone of the software, and are designed to vastly improve the reliability and stability of both the transmitted signal and processing any received signals, regardless of what buried beacon is transmitting them. If the IPS detects signal interference when transmitting, it will boost its signal strength. This ultimately costs battery life, but works effectively. 

The software can even recognize a signal from an old analog beacon by identifying an underlying continuous signal on top of the pulsing signal–the beacon will then flash the icon of the buried victim if it senses this, indicating you should move slightly away from the signal before marking it.

In search mode, the scan button on the top of the unit will briefly engage a signal scan function that indicates the number of beacons within 5, 20, and 90 meters. With the bluetooth app, the beacon can be configured to a pro scan mode that provides more detailed information on burials and the ability to scroll between signals by pressing the function button. More info on both that and the configurable analog pro mode can be found in the user manual here.

Finally, there’s a built-in digital inclinometer. In search mode, pressing the scan button for three seconds will display slope angle. Place the beacon on your ski pole laid flat on the slope for accurate measurements.

The beacon takes three AAA lithium or alkaline batteries. Depending on your preference, the beacon can be carried in an included harness, or securely clipped to a leash inside your beacon pocket.

Here’s How We Tested Beacons:

This year, we tested all our beacons identically, first in a standard range test, then in a search strip width (receiving range) test, and then in a controlled setup mirroring the PRO 1 Multiple Burial Rescue Exam (a standard test that all backcountry professionals are tested to). As a baseline for the multiple-burial test, we buried two identical Mammut Barryvox S beacons in a large flat area, under 50cm of snow.

We tested the receiving range of all beacons to see how close the rescuer would need to get before the searching beacon picked up a buried signal. We put a single Barryvox S at the far end of the field, and then walked towards it from 100 meters away using each test beacon, marking the spot where it picked up a signal, and measuring that distance. This was repeated multiple times per searching beacon with the transmitting beacon in multiple places (to account for some variation caused by the environment), and the distances were averaged.

After checking ranges, we performed the PRO 1 multiple burial test (minus the shoveling) to learn more about the efficacy of each test beacon when searching. This was performed multiple times per beacon, with various testers including myself, two AMGA ski guides, and several testers with varying levels of recreational experience. We timed each test and took notes on the specific performance of each beacon.

The Pieps Pro IPS vs. The Search Strip Width Test

During the range test, the Pieps picked up a signal at an average of 70 meters (which is quite a bit further than any other beacon). The screen display often read a little lower than 70, but measured distance was consistently at or above 70 meters.

A note on the Interference Protection System during signal acquisition: The beacon will recommend that you reduce your search strip width in 20 meter increments if it detects electromagnetic signal interference. We tested this with a radio, phone, and various other metal objects and it consistently quickly switched into a shorter recommended range, indicating it on the screen.

The Pieps Pro IPS vs. The Multiple Burial Test

Putting the Pieps Pro IPS into use during the multiple beacon rescue scenario, we were impressed by the overall performance, accuracy and processing speed, except for one major point: the flag button is very hard to press, which costs valuable seconds and can create a huge amount of frustration when things matter most!

Beyond the button issue, the Pieps Pro IPS’s additional functions during a multi burial search are actually really cool. The scan function is particularly useful to get an initial idea of your situation, as it will tell you relative locations of beacons. This is especially nice when you're facing a mass-burial scenario with more than two buried victims. Press the scan button, get an initial idea of your scene, and the beacon will automatically revert to standard search mode and lock onto the strongest signal. The signal scrolling that's available in pro mode is great in theory, but again, that function button is quite hard to press, making it challenging to effectively use with gloves on.

Overall, our testers found that in the standard settings, performing the multiple-burial test was quite intuitive. With quick signal acquisition and processing and the reliability and accuracy of the signal indications, the Pieps Pro IPS performed on par with other beacons in the test. However, the button issue is a bit of a non-starter and needs addressing, which is a bit of a bummer given how promising the other functions are.

How Does The Pieps Pro IPS Compare?

Compared to beacons like the Arva EVO BT, Mammut Barryvox S2, and Ortovox Diract Voice, the Pieps Pro IPS stands out for its unique set of features, superior range, and sleek design. During the multiple burial test, the Pieps would usually acquire a signal first compared to the other beacons, but got bogged down later in the search process due to aforementioned issues with the flag button.

The Pro mode features are quite cool, though likely not interesting or very useful to most recreational-level backcountry users. It offers much the same feature set as the Mammut Barryvox S2 in pro mode, however, the Barryvox’s interface feels more refined, is easier to use and is much more intuitive.

Who Is The Pieps Pro IPS Best For?

With its robust feature set and additional pro-level mode, the Pieps Pro IPS would be a good choice for high-level recreational and professional backcountry users alike. We found the interface to be a bit less intuitive for novice backcountry users (it’s easily learnable with practice…but unfortunately most backcountry skiers spend far too little time actually doing that). However, we hope to see that Pieps addresses the issue with the buttons in their next update of the beacon, as it really detracts from the actual usability of the beacon in a rescue.