Mammut Barryvox S2 Transceiver

Large glove-friendly buttons are part of the Barryvox S2 Transceiver's ease of use. There is a lock button located on the top of the transceiver and a slider to switch between send and search modes. This slider protrudes past the edge of the unit so that it can be quickly and easily pushed back to revert to send mode from search mode in case of an avalanche.

On the side of the Mammut Barryvox S2 Transceiver, you will find glove-friendly up and down buttons for selecting options within the secondary menus.

The Barryvox S2 Transceiver has so many features that it would not be efficient to discuss them all at length in this review as I’d likely lose most of you after the first 15 minutes of reading. So, to avoid this I am going to speak to the basic features found within the default settings on the Barryvox S2 Transceiver. These would be the features that 99% of you would need, the other more advanced settings in Pro Search Mode can be found listed below for those 1% of you to discover on your own. These features are ideal for advanced users such as guides but I’ll aim to limit information overload and focus this review on the day-to-day backcountry skier's needs.

Advanced settings in Pro Search Mode:

• The analog tone in all search phases in Standard Search Mode helps you detect overlapping signals.
• Pro Check function within group check verifies the transmission frequency, the period and pulse duration of the tested device.
• Scrolling and choosing in the list of buried subjects which allows for more efficient group searches and triage decisions.
• See the vital data of the buried subjects you are searching for to make triage decisions.
• Access the alternative search mode.
• Mark deep burials up to a distance indication of 6.0m.
• Unmark a buried subject.
• List of buried subjects stays visible.

One of the most innovative options the new Barryvox S2 Transceiver has is the addition of audio instructions along with easy-to-read on-screen animated visuals. Throughout each step of the search process, the Barryvox S2 will prompt the user with audio instructions via audible search guidance to help support the user by relieving any confusion and user stress while searching for buried subjects. These acoustic search instructions allow the user to keep their focus on the snow surface and concentrate on locating buried subjects quickly and accurately. During these critical moments of the signal search, coarse search and fine search phases, the Barryvox S2 prompts the user with additional guidance, including search speed and search pattern. While these audio instructions are not yet available in all languages and for all locations, they were an option here in Canada and can of course be turned off if not wanted.

The Rescue-SEND function is a new protective feature that temporarily suspends the Barryvox S2's sending signal while remaining in send mode. This protects non-searching rescuers in the event of burial by a secondary avalanche while avoiding disrupting the search for buried subjects. If the Barryvox S2 Transceiver doesn’t detect any motion for a specified amount of time it will then automatically send a signal once more.

The Signal Search phase is the first part of any search for a buried subject and starts downhill from the last seen point in the direction of the slide. The Barryvox S2 will guide you through this phase with audio instructions (if turned on) and on-screen graphics showing you the correct distance and pattern to use. By systematically following a zigzag pattern with the correct spacing an initial signal will be detected within the Barryvox S2’s 70-meter search range and confirmed by a double beep sound.

Once a signal is acquired, you enter the coarse search phase of the search process and the Barryvox S2 will display an arrow and a distance. By moving in the direction of the arrow and keeping it centred on the graphical target shown on the display, the distance will reduce as you near the buried subject at which time you will start the Fine Search phase.

The Barryvox S2 will enter the Fine Search phase at a distance of 3 meters from the subject you are searching for. By default, the Barryvox S2 will enter Intelligent Fine Search Guidance which is a new feature found only on the Barryvox S2. ‘Fine Search Guidance’ aims to simplify the fine search phase of the search which is often one of the most stressful and difficult for new users. This intelligent fine search guidance provides user-friendly on-screen animated search support in conjunction with audio instructions (if turned on) to easily guide you to the subject so you can initiate the pinpointing or probing phase. This helps to off-load this task to the S2 Transceiver to save you precious time helping put your mind at ease during this stressful phase of the rescue process and get you to the probing phase faster. 'Fine Search Guidance’ mode is the default setting on the Barryvox S2 but can be turned off in favour of ‘Cross’ guidance which uses a simplified user interface to help you perform a non-guided, fully manual cross search during the fine search phase.

After completing the Fine Search the Barryvox S2 will enter the Pinpointing or Probing phase and will show a graphic indication that you should begin probing for the subject in an orthogonal spiral at a 90° angle to the snow surface with 25cm between each probing point.

If there is more than one buried subject the Barryvox S2’s marking feature will allow you to effectively silence the signal reception from the subject’s transceiver whom you have already found so that you can then focus on the next closest signal. In Pro Search Mode you can also unmark a signal as well as switch between signals at will, but in the default mode, these features are not permitted in order to simplify things.

On the right side of the Barryvox S2’s display, a list of buried subjects will be displayed with the strongest signal at the bottom and the weakest at the top. This corresponds to each signal's distance, with the closest buried subject in the avalanche shown at the bottom of the list and the furthest at the top of the list. The selection indicator also shows the buried subject you are currently searching for.

The Barryvox S2 Transceiver comes equipped with an Auto-Revert function that will automatically switch the Barryvox S2  from search to send after a predetermined amount of time passing (either 2 or 4 minutes) with no motion being detected. This feature helps protect the user in the event of a secondary slide.

You’ll find a new MIP (Memory-in-Pixel ) Technology display on the Barryvox S2 which provides exceptional clarity and readability in strong sunlight and even with polarized sunglasses on. This new high-resolution display makes it possible to easily view the S2’s animated user interface which helps convey information throughout all stages of the search.

The Barryvox S2 has a built-in Bluetooth interface that connects it to the new Barryvox iPhone or Android App so that you can easily update the device's firmware, configure individual settings and find additional avalanche safety information.

Should you have other electronic devices in close proximity to the Barryvox S2 Transceiver it will let you know that they may interfere with the performance of your search by displaying a small icon in the upper right of the screen. If the Barryvox S2 is having trouble detecting a signal due to too much interference it will display a graphic asking you to turn off all electronic devices.

With an impressive range of 70 meters, the new Barryvox S2 interactively guides users to their target in the shortest time possible and with the least amount of stress. Even in complex scenarios the Barryvox S2 will have you keeping a cool head and following the correct path of action through every stage of the search while it continuously checks its operation with a self-test function.

• Intelligent fine search guidance: patented technology that guides you through the fine search with fully interactive visual and acoustic guidance.
• Probe indication: as soon as the minimum burial depth has been found, the probe display guides you visually and audibly from the fine search to pinpointing.
• MIP display: the high-contrast and innovative Memory-in-Pixel display is clear and easy to read even in bright sunlight.
• Voice guidance: your Barryvox® assists you with additional instructions in all search phases. This feature is currently not available in Germany, Austria Switzerland and the US.
• Rescue SEND: Protective function for non-searching rescuers. In the event of a secondary avalanche, it automatically switches to SEND to allow the rescuer to be located.
• Auto-revert to SEND: safety function for rescuers searching with an avalanche transceiver in the event of a secondary avalanche burial. If a rescuer does not move for four minutes, the avalanche transceiver automatically switches from SEARCH to SEND thanks to a motion sensor.
• Automatic self-test: your Barryvox® checks your transmit and search function signal when it is switched on and carries out regular transmission and battery tests.
• Interference Guard: your Barryvox® manages and reduces signal interference and indicates any interference in transmit and search mode.
• Group check: check the transmission frequency and strength of other avalanche transceivers quickly and easily with this function to ensure correct functionality.
• Acoustic search guidance: a sequence of tones guides you in the direction of the buried subject and ensures that you can keep your eyes on the avalanche field during the search.
• Intuitive visual interface: guides you intuitively through all search phases and provides an overview of multiple burials.
• Auto-Select: in the event of multiple burials, your Barryvox® will guide you to the strongest signal first.
• Marking function for multiple burials
• The reverse direction function avoids 180-degree search errors
• Deep burial mode: if a very deep burial is detected, the fine search automatically starts earlier (> 3m) for precise guidance.
• Compatible with the Barryvox app for firmware updates, configuration settings, search training with the Barryvox®
• Barryvox carrying system (included in delivery): safe and comfortable wearing of the avalanche transceiver on the upper body.
• Additional functions for advanced users: discover all the possibilities of the Barryvox® S2 with the alternative search mode and individually configurable settings, which let you retain flexibility and control in every search scenario.
• Analog search technology: the extended analog function for more efficient and accurate searches helps to solve complex search scenarios thanks to complex algorithms and signal processing techniques.
• Pro Check: in this mode, the transmit frequency, the pulse duration and the period lengths of other avalanche transceivers are checked.
• Pro search settings: combines a digital direction and distance display with an analog tone in the standard search mode and allows access to the alternative search mode.
• Configurable settings for acoustic guidance, voice guidance, visual guidance, Pro Test, vital data detection and time-out definition for rescue send and automatic switching from search to send.
• Scrolling function for multiple burials: gives a clear overview of up to 16 buried subjects for more efficient group searches and triage decisions.
• Selection function for multiple burials: in the case of multiple burials, burials can be selected, marked and unmarked on a list.
• Marking for deep burials up to a distance of 6m
• Additional Bluetooth channel: enables faster separation of signals in complicated rescue scenarios.
• BT vital data detection: the vital data transmitted via Bluetooth helps rescuers make triage decisions in order to focus on buried subjects with an increased chance of survival.
• Batteries included

Having used the Mammut Barryvox S2 Transceiver for several months now I can honestly say that this is the most advanced transceiver I’ve ever used—and I’ve used most transceivers over the years. While this is a huge plus for guides and seasoned backcountry skiers it is not all that appealing to new users. Thankfully Mammut has hidden all the advanced features in the Pro Search Mode so the average will not be overwhelmed and instead is presented with a paired-down version of the Barryvox S2 with only the features they require.

The Barryvox S2’s predecessor, the Barryvox S was first introduced in 2018 and now, six years later the S2 is 22% lighter and 17% smaller which makes it ideal for storing in your pant pocket rather than using the harness—which is very small and light in its own right. The S2 still uses the original Barryvox S’s one-button design and super simple UI which is intuitive to use even without studying the user manual for hours on end. To make things even less stressful for new users, the Barryvox S2 Transceiver has voice commands similar to the Ortovox Diract, however, they are not available at this time if you live in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, or the United States.

One thing I did find a little over complex was the Intelligent Fine Search Guidance feature which can be very useful for a novice as it eliminates the need to perform a detailed fine search complete with cross pattern to pinpoint the buried signal. However, I did not find it as fast and efficient as the tried and true box or cross method so I switched this feature off in favour of the Cross Guidance feature.

While the new "Memory in Pixel" (MIP) screen seems like a minor improvement, after using it in direct sunlight or with polarized glasses it was easy to see the increased contrast and brightness and it also uses less power than the previous Barryvox S version so it's a win-win. The large built-in screen has crisp intuitive graphics which guide you through each phase of the search process—so even if you aren’t a pro you can search with confidence.

With an impressive industry-leading signal reception range, an all-encompassing feature set and an intuitive UI the new Mammut Barryvox S2 Transceiver is built for professionals but so easy to use that even an entry-level user can remain calm and self-assured on their very first search.