Logo
    Show
    Hide
    Login
    Close

    SITE LOGIN

    • Forgot your password?

    Register

    Tailgate Industries
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
        • Skis
        • Boots
        • Bindings
        • Climbing Skins
        • Poles
        • Snowboards
      • Clothing
        • Hard Shells
        • Soft Shells
        • Insulation
        • Mid Layers
        • Base Layers
        • Gloves
        • Socks
      • Accessories
        • Safety Gear
        • Goggles and Helmets
        • Ski Touring Packs
        • Ski Boxes and Bags
        • Sleeping Bags - 4 Season
        • Technology
        • Sunglasses
        • Insoles & Braces
        • Books
      • Off-Season Gear
        • Hiking
          • Rain Shells
          • Day Packs
          • Apparel
          • Footwear
          • Safety
        • Camping
          • Backpacks
          • Sleeping Bags
          • Sleeping Pads
          • Tents
          • Coolers / Cooking
          • Furniture / Storage
          • Lighting / Power
        • Biking
        • Paddling
        • Climbing
        • Mountaineering
        • Running
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
        • Gear of the Year Winter 2024-2025
        • Gear of the Year Winter 2023-2024
        • Gear of the Year Archives
      • Best New Summer Gear
        • Best New Summer Gear 2023
        • Best New Summer Gear 2024
        • Best New Summer Gear 2022
        • Best New Summer Gear 2021
        • Best New Summer Gear 2020
      • Holiday Gift Guide
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2024
          • Holiday Gift Guide 2024 Base Layers
          • MSR Explore Revo Snowshoes
          • Fieldsheer Backcountry Heated Jacket
          • Fieldsheer Premium 2.0 Merino Heated Socks
          • MEC Hut Booties and Slippers
          • Arc’teryx Kopec GTX Shoe
          • Arc’teryx Kragg Insulated Approach Shoes
          • Gregory Verte 18 Backpack
          • Grundens Deck-Boss Ankle Boot
          • MEC Northern Light Vest
          • Montec-Scope-Ski-Goggles
          • Mountain Hardware Kor Airshell Hoody
          • Mountain Hardware Kor Alloy Crew
          • Arcade Atlas Belt
          • Dynafit Ridge Dynastretch Jacket
          • Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphones
          • Buff Merino Move Multifunctional Neckwear
          • Bootdoc Foot Warmer
          • Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack
          • DPS LastBag
          • DPS PHANTOM Glide At-Home Kit
          • DPS Mission Quiver Roller
          • Dragon Amped sunglasses
          • Dragon DX3 Plus OTG photochromic goggle
          • Fuse Lenses Anclote Flashback
          • Garmin Fenix 8 Solar Sapphire Watch
          • Gregory Alpaca Gear Tote 30
          • Hotronic Boot Dryer
          • MEC Aluminum Pot Set
          • Gnara Go There Pants
          • Grundens Shackleton 2.0 Duffel
          • Jones Deeper 19L Backpack
          • Le Bent Core Midweight Crew base layer
          • Leatherman ARC
          • Montane Nordes Hooded Softshell Jacket and Pants
          • Helly Hansen Odin Everdown Hooded Jacket
          • Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket 2.0
          • Montec Fawk Ski Jacket
          • Pomoca Free Pro 2.0 Skins
          • Rab Glaceon Pro Down Jacket
          • Rab Khroma Converge GORE-TEX Ski Jacket & Pants
          • Smith Squad MAG Goggles
          • Stellar Guide Aerogel Hybrid Hood 2.0
          • Stellar Ultralight Down Hood 2.0
          • Arms of Andes Alpaca Half Zip & Wool Leggings
          • Cotopaxi Allpa 70L Duffel Bag
          • Giro Taggert Mips Helmet
          • Loonr Hi Flyer Boots
          • Paka Mountain Crew
          • Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Classic Shoes
          • Smartwool Smartloft Hooded Jacket and Pants
          • Ortovox Switchback 32 Ski Touring Backpack
          • Cotopaxi Allpa X 3L Hip Pack
          • Giro Sagen Ski Goggle
          • Icebreaker Ski+ Over the Calf Socks
          • MEC-Fireside-Fleece-Snap-Pullover
          • Montec Roast Mittens
          • Mountain-Hardware-Sunblocker-Hoody
          • MSR Titan Kettle 900 ml
          • Tailgate-Industries-The Gondom-Goggle-Cover
          • Wild Country Rope Tarp
          • Bootdoc Race Merino PFI 50 Socks
          • Remind Soles Destin Impact Insoles
          • Kari Traa Rose Baselayer Half Zip Top and Pants
          • Le Bent Midweight Quarter Zip
          • Ombraz Dolomite Sunglasses
          • Ortovox Fleece Rib Hoody
          • Ortovox Merino Thermovent Base Layer
          • Smartwool Intraknit Merino Tech Half Zip
          • Suunto Wing Bone Conduction headphones
          • Sweet Protection Adapter Mips Helmet
          • Sweet Protection Connor Rig Reflect Goggles
          • Zeal Optics Selkirk Glacier Glasses
          • Norrona more flex1 Pants
          • Norrona Octa Zip Hood
          • Norrona Lyngen Alpha100 Zip Hood
          • MEC Deluxe Pillow
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2023
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2022
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2021
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2019
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2018
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2017
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2016
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • NEWS
    • STORE
      • Backcountry Store Offline
      • Gear Deals
        • Alpine Touring Boots
        • Backcountry Skis
        • Alpine Touring Bindings
        • Backcountry Accessories
        • Off-Season Gear
        • Climbing Skins
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us
      • Newsletter
      • Contest
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
      • Clothing
      • Accessories
      • Off-Season Gear
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Best New Summer Gear
      • Holiday Gift Guide
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • NEWS
    • STORE
      • Backcountry Store Offline
      • Gear Deals
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us
      • Newsletter
      • Contest
    Newsletter Signup

    TOP VIDEOS

      HOTTEST REVIEWS


      Hagan Boost 99 POW Skis Garmin inReach Plus Scarpa 4-Quattro Pro 130+ Top Ski Reviews Ortovox Ravine Jacket Scarpa Maestrale RS Boots

      Ortovox
      North Valley Huts
      Avalance Canada
      ROAM
      Fritschi Swiss Bindings
      Search
      • Home
      • »
      • REVIEWS
      • »
      • Accessories
      • »
      • Safety Gear
      • »
      • Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon

      Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon

      You may have noticed that Black Diamonds avalanche transceivers look very similar to those manufactured by Pieps and this is because Black Diamond acquired Pieps in 2012. Since its founding in 2006, Pieps has been a technology leader in the design and manufacturing of alpine safety equipment, specifically those related to avalanche safety such as transceivers, probes and shovels. This made Pieps a natural fit for Black Diamond to purchase and after selling Pieps products in North America, Black Diamond has recently launched their own line of transceivers based on the Pieps models. Until now, Black Diamond offered only the Guide BT and Recon BT transceivers which are based on Pipes DSP Pro and Sport models (which underwent a voluntary recall last season) and new for this year is the Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon. 

      Tecnica Cochise 130 DYN GW Boots

      Small, light and packed full of technology, the new Black Diamond Recon LT is an effective and easy-to-use transceiver.

      Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon
      SHOW THE REST OF THE REVIEW / PHOTOS / VIDEOS

      Given that a ‘beacon’ by definition only emits a signal I’ll be referring to the Recon LT Beacon as a transceiver going forward since transceivers can both send and received a signal.

      One of my favourite transceivers, the Pieps Micro Button BT (the successor to the award-winning Pieps Micro Transceiver) is essentially now available in a Black Diamond version and it’s called the Black Diamond Recon LT. Like the Peips Micro, the Recon LT is a lightweight, fully-featured three-antenna transceiver. 

      Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon

      Measuring just 11 x 7.5 x 2.5cm or 4.3 x 3 x 0.98”, the Recon LT is impressively small and easily fits in your pant pocket or the provided lightweight chest harness which is one of the most minimalist yet well-designed on the market.

      Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon
      Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon

      The top locking slider allows you to turn on and off the transceiver and select either send or search modes. The textured slider is spring-loaded so you have to ensure it is disengaged in order to switch modes. This also helps eliminate unwanted changes from the current mode.

      Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon

      If you spin the selector switch counterclockwise then it will expose the battery compartment revealing the single AA battery which is able to power the Recon LT for over 200 hours. On the face of the transceiver, a large display uses the same graphics as those found on the Pieps Micro with the addition of a mode indicator on the left-hand side. Below you can see that the Recon LT in send mode and it’s using the X antenna to transmit a signal.

      Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon
      Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon

      In search mode, the display shows the number of signals being received along with their distance. The Recon LT also emits a high-frequency pulsing tone that changes depending upon your distance to the signal source. Pressing the mark button located at the bottom of the display (which is the only button on the transceiver face) surpasses the signal so you can then focus on other possible signals close by.

      Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon
      Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon

      Features:

      • The lightest fully-featured digital transceiver on the market at 158g (5.6 oz) w/ batteries
      • Housing with soft-touch contact points for improved ergonomics and handling
      • Bluetooth functionality allows user to manage settings and software updates
      • Three antennas provide 50-Meter Circular range for extended, symmetrical search area
      • Mark function for multiple burial scenarios
      • Compatible with iProbe for added search capabilities
      • Harness-style carrying pouch included
      • Connect to the PIEPS App with Bluetooth wireless technology to manage settings, update firmware and access training mode

      Verdict:

      Black Diamond touts the new Recon LT as the "Lightest fully-features Avalanche Transceiver on the market” and weighing in at just 137g or 4.8oz (158g / 5.6oz with battery) is indeed light. However, if you read our review of the Pieps Micro BT Button Transceiver which shares all the same technology and features, you’ll see that it has a weight of 150g or 5.2oz including the AA battery. Not wanting to get picky over a measly 8 grams we'll simply call them both lightweights since transceivers typically weigh north of 200 grams and are also much bulkier in size. 

      The main reason that the Recon LT appeals to me is that I am one of the many backcountry skiers who now stow their transceiver in their ski pant pocket rather than in a chest harness. There are many reasons for this and you can learn all about them in the video below. Essentially a smaller and lighter transceiver is much more comfortable to stow in your pant pocket than a heavier and bulkier one.

      Given the Recon LT’s size and weight, you would assume that you'd have to give up features found on most other transceivers and that performance would be inferior but the Recon LT is just as good as those larger/heavier transceivers on the market. With 50 meters of range in both search and transmit modes, three antennas, 200+ hours of battery life and a mark function you get everything you need to stay safe skiing in the backcountry. Pretty impressive for such a small package.

      While the Recon LT doesn’t have vibration alerts like the Pieps Micro it does use a similar interface, display graphics and shape. Black Diamond, however, has flipped the Recon LT upsidedown when compared to the Pieps Micro so it fits more naturally in the palm of your hand and the ergonomics are much better. There is also only one button for marking signals since the main locking selector switch located on the top of the unit is used to turn the device on/off and from send to search mode. This separation of functions makes the Recon LT transceiver really easy to use and also prevents any unwanted or inadvertent switching from send to search. These are both very important features when the stress and anxiety of a real search have you flustered.

      Given the recent trend to stow transceivers in a ski pant pocket and distance it from a phone and/or radio, it makes the most sense to have a light and small transceiver such as Black Diamond’s new Recon LT. But even if you still prefer to wear it in a chest harness, there is no sense in adding any extra bulk and weight for those long days on the skin track. So be sure to check out the Recon LT, I’m pretty sure you’ll be glad you did.

      PROS:

      • Light and compact.
      • Uses only one AA battery.
      • Battery life of 200 hours+.
      • Bluetooth App for updates and preferences.
      • Locking selector knob.
      • Crazy light and minimal harness (included).

      CONS:

      • No clip and cord for use securing it in a pant pocket.
      • Battery replacement is not easy as the switch is attached to the slider and hard to get back into place.
      • Battery display in thirds, not percentages.
      • Expensive.

      SPECS:

      Price: $459.95CAN / $349.95US
      Weight: 137g / 4.8oz (158g / 5.6oz with battery)
      Dimensions: 11 x 7.5 x 2.5cm / 4.3 x 3 x 0.98”
      Range: 50 meters (search and transmit)
      Antennas: 3
      Marking function: Yes
      Frequency: 457 kHz (EN300718)
      Batteries: 1 AA
      Battery Life: 200 hours

      RATING: 9/10
      Ease of use       2/2
      Technology        2/2
      Features            1.5/2
      Weight               2/2
      Quality / Price   1.5/2

      buy backcountry skiing gear


      Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in below and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation. You'll need to login or register before you can comment but it only takes a few seconds, then you're good to go.

      Leave a Comment:

      Back to the rest of the reviews.


      We strive to have the most accurate and up-to-date information in all our reviews but products change constantly and personal requirements are user-specific so we recommend using certified technicians that can set up your gear to your personal needs and specifications.  
      Ortovox
      North Valley Huts
      Avalance Canada
      ROAM
      Fritschi Swiss Bindings
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy

      Copyright © 2023-24 Backcountry Skiing Canada. All Rights Reserved.