Contributions by Live2play (2)

I have spent the last few years in search of the "perfect" soft shell jacket to accompany me backcountry skiing. While I have always had my eye on this jacket, the cost was always a huge deterrent for me. Three soft shells later, I finally sprung for this jacket and couldn't have been happier. The larger collar allows me to keep my neck/chin warm on those chilly early mornings. The hood is perfect for keeping my head warm when the wind picks up, and even fits alpine helmets. The zippers (pit zips, and pockets) work very smoothly and open/close without much effort. The chest pockets are placed perfectly to allow operation while wearing a pack. The windstopper fabric that this shell is constructed from is perfect for me as I find myself a "cold" person while outdoors. In summary, I wished I had just spent the money and not wasted my time with other jackets.

I purchased this beacon after using an Ortovox M2 beacon for four years. I have worked in the ski industry for two years and am well trained with analog beacons so was skeptical at first about how much these beacons take away from thinking as I was used to. At first glance the user interface was really simple to use. After three weeks of using the beacon and putting it through its paces I came to this conclusion that I could not use this beacon with a clear conscious. The user interface was great, simple to use and made multiple burials a snap (also great for those who are not as well practiced at their searches). The only downfall (and a huge one) is the range, or lack there of. In comparison to the Ortovox F1, the range of the Pulse was consistantly about 1/3 that of the F1's distance ...unacceptable. I could not keep this beacon, knowing what one day it might cost someone their life so it went back and I am back to an Ortovox F1 until the technology improves in the digital beacon field.