BCA is now ensuring that all their retailers are selling the Tracker 2 at their MAP price of $335.
Since you can't get a good deal on these any longer, I would recommend that people look at the new Ortovox 3+ for less than $15 more. This beacon was the unanimous choice of professionals I have talked to that were able to work with all the gear at the recent International Symposium of Snow Science and Avalanche Practice in Squaw Valley. Their opinion was that the range was better than the BCA, it had superior multiple burial properties, was easy to use, had a great price point and just operated more "smoothly". It also has some cool new antenna technology that is not available in other beacons.
It is crucial that you are prepared by carrying some type of beacon. If you are looking for a new one, you should do your research and compare the various offerings from the different vendors and pick the one that you think fits you best. I would definitely include the Ortovox 3+ in the mix.
You MUST practice with whatever beacon you choose. Statistics show that those that carry beacons (but have limited practice, knowledge and and experience) only fare slightly better than those that don't carry one at all. However, those that do (professionals) have recovery rates as high as 75%.
http://www.ortovox.com/avalanche-transceivers/three-plus
