Ortovox 3+ Avalanche Beacon

The 3+ is a three-antenna, digital avalanche beacon that stands out because of Ortovox's Smart Antenna Technology, which uses the best antenna to transmit during a burial so that searchers can find you faster.

The 3+ is much like the Ortovox Zoom+ with the added benefit that it can be updated, and its multiple burial mode shows distance and direction to each victim.

Ortovox has concentrated on its illuminated display that tells you the direction, distance and number of victims in an avalanche. Its large, LED display can be seen at night. Accoustics accompany the search so you hear when you're getting closer. It has a motion sensor that will switch the device back to transmit mode if you don't move during a search for 120 seconds, so you're protected in the event of a secondary slide.

The multiple burial mode gives you an overview that includes the distance and direction to each victim. You can pin or "flag" a victim once they are recovered, then continue your search. This 2015 model comes with a Recco reflector inside — the rescue technology used by more than 700 ski areas and rescue teams worldwide.

Bottom line: An intuitive beacon with the best technology that's appropriate for recreational users and some professionals.