Like the compact size. Harness fits body well. While searching you really follow the flux lines in so your not taking such a direct route in. I find with my old beacon you walk more direct in a search test with both. Multi search is quick and easy compared to most, find a guy turn him off on your screen so as to goto next guy with less interference. Some cool extra's to browse through. Not sure how much better the newer software is since it came with the latest software. Pleased with initial signal pick up distance. If you can get past the price go for it!

I made the switch to the S1 when if came out a few years ago. Every time I run a drill I am amazed at how fast and consistent this transceiver locates signals. I love the ability to mark off a signal once located, and move to the next while still being able to go back to the first signal. It makes dealing with multiple burial situations a lot easier. The real time screen is easy to understand and very accurate. As mentioned earlier, cell phones seem to disrupt the beacon when in search mode. Might as well turn your phone off anyhow since you're out enjoying the backcountry right? I can't say enough good things about this beacon other than I hope I don't have to use it in a real situation, and take good care of it, it is like a computer after all.

The S1 is really easy to use and has significantly decreased my search time for single and multiple burials. MAKE SURE TO TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE WHEN USING! I experienced some frightening ghost victims with my cell phone on.

Really well built and waterproof as well. I left it in a buried duffle bag in AK and it became fully submerged in water for 2 days. I figured it was ruined, but after drying it out it works fine.

Also, updating to the new software was quick and easy at Wasatch Touring.

This is an amazing piece of equipment, and I really trust it. But try not to need it, ok?

My avi instructor had one of these and I was pretty impressed. Worth the investment I would say. The feature for multiple burials is great.

Before pocket calculators I used a slide rule to make mathematical calculations. Once you learned how to use one of these devices,the more you practiced the quicker you got results. The same can be said of previous avalanche beacons. The S1 did for me what the calculator did compared to my slide rule. In a search I get more accurate results and I get them faster.
When it comes to life and death and time is of the essence, accuracy and speed are what I want from a beacon. The S1 delivers. This device is great but there is no substitite for practice.

I am new to this site and could not figure out how to actually enter an answer to someone else's specific question. Here is some feedback on the question of how the compass, inclinometer, and thermometer hep in rescue. I am addressing more the information about the first two. You need to know that the compass and inclinometer are not jut a few features thrown in for grins. The unit actually uses data provided by them along with the standard flux line info to locate the burials. In other words, the S1 not only uses an antenna to find the signal sent out by buried beacons but it also has digital compass sensors in the unit that also compare the location of buried victims against the magnetic field of the earth. Additionally, the inclinometer helps to keep you keep the unit relatively level in the search which is needed for proper function. I believe too the inclinometer helps to provide distance reading at a straight-line angle to the buried victim/beacon. Rather than giving distance to the spot in the snow directly above the victim. Ortovox decided to give the user/owner access to these tools to be used as a compass and as a slope meter. As long as the tools were there might as well be able to use them. One more thing ... the unit now can basically self set magnetic declination. All in All the S1 is really an advanced tool. As some other have mentioned you can upgrade the software package via infrared ports. In this day of software driven devices you can now keep your transceiver up-to-date and ward off unreasonably short term obsolescence.

I've had to return two S1 beacons within one year because of screen failure. Ortovox need to fix this problem. You would think the flip open and close feature would protect the sceen better, maybe it has nothing to do with it. Basicly one day you'll turn on your S1 open it up and only have half a screen working. For five bills I shouldn't have to be returning the S1 not even once. What a burden.

I just ordered this for the upcoming season, and was pleased to recieve the newest version (2.1), which has slightly different colors on the inside (the metallic looking color), and is obviously the most recent software update.
See a picture here -- http://en.ortovox.com/transceiver/s1.html
I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I would say that my only complaint out of the box is that the neoprene cover on the harness is VERY tight, so it's a bit difficult to snap the buckle closed. Maybe it stretches a bit with time....

I had previously used the bca tracker mainly and tried a few other transcievers as well. I picked up the S1 after reading multiple reviews mainly hoping for a much quicker search time.
After a quick skim of the manual I was able to recover a burried beacon within 5 minutes on my first try using this transciever. In comparision I averaged around 8-9 minutes with a BCA. I hadn't used the BCA extensively and I'm sure I could get my times down with it, but not to the same degree.
The intial search is very easy and quick, it follows a flux line well even moving quickly. For your final grid search remember to slow down and do not go to small on your final grid (as you would with any other transciever). I had a back pack burried on the downhill side of a tree well on one search and was only looking at around a 5' square, I decided to go a little wider only to find the readings go down even futher on the downhill side of the trees. The pack was stuffed in the branches on the downhill side. Doing a proper search was much quicker then digging through a tree :)
I really like the circle diagram and the faint outline during the final search, it beats trying to memorize your lowest reading. I can see that being very handy in a real life situation where you are more prone to panic.
Battery life was great, after going through an afternoon of searches I was still at 98% battery life.

Overall I'm very happy with the S1, it is well worth the extra money.

Ortovox just upgraded my S1 via infrared link so the software is all new and improved. It is a much cleaner functioning beacon now. The boys at the lab stepped it up by identifying the noises that aren't beacons (ie. electrical currents, radio transmissions...) and when I tested it in a very "dirty" field test the beacon performed amazingly with multiple signals active and tons of external static noise, which would typically cause any digital beacon some difficulties. Now because it ignores that extra noise the S1 hones in very accurately and quickly. This tool is undoubtedly the most advanced, dependable, reliable and easy to use beacon on the market. All the talk about it being too much of a tool is wrong and a bunch of non-sense. If u want u can just change it to all analog, but why would you when you get a graphical representation on an easy to read screen that now includes arrows to help you find and lock onto the signal, plus being able to mark that signal and move on. All the pros know ORTOVOX is it. With more then 4 different beacons transmitting a child could use this tool with ease & find everyone fast. Turn it on and follow the simple directions to the buried beacons. All others fall way behind ORTOVOX's newest and greatest avalanche safety tool, some are already copying their technology, but not successfully, the rest just don't compare. The rest of them are just spewing PR rhetoric and hype that isn't an accurate portrayal of is the real truth behind the beacons they are selling(2 antennas don't cut it for digital). Don't buy anything else, or you will have bought an antique that isn't even in compliance with the current beacon standards set by the industry. Go digital for sure and be sure you buy the best (ORTOVOX!!!). all the rest are just trying to catch up to a company that has been setting the standard now for a very long time. Try it yourself. You don't even need to read the directions, but you do have to have avalanche rescue skills and the proper equipment (ORTOVOX).