Evo BT Snow Safety Pack

The Arva EVO BT Snow Safety Pack puts the three pieces of avalanche rescue gear every tourer carries into one box: the EVO BT digital transceiver with its holster, the Spark 240 probe and the Access TS telescopic shovel. Buy it once and the whole kit matches, packs together and comes from one maker.

Who it's for

Skiers and splitboarders kitting out for their first backcountry season, and experienced tourers replacing an old beacon, probe and shovel in one go. It suits days on the Main Range in Kosciuszko, the Victorian high country, and bigger objectives in New Zealand and Japan. Each person in the party needs their own set, so it is an easy kit to buy for a partner too.

How it performs in a search

The EVO BT is a three-antenna digital transceiver with a 60 m search strip. Automatic gain control manages the signals for a more efficient search when more than one person is buried, a marking function identifies anyone already located, and a U-turn alarm sounds if you are not heading in the right direction. Dynamic interference management detects interference zones: when it finds interference the screen shows an interference symbol and the device reduces the search strip width to 30 m, so you must narrow your search strips to 30 m.

In the event of a secondary avalanche, a motion sensor lets the EVO BT switch back to transmit automatically if a searcher stops moving and does not respond to its alert.

Using it under pressure

The rotary selector turns easily in gloves, and the backlit screen gives good contrast in any light. Group check mode tests the transmit frequency and power of everyone's beacon before you set off. Over Bluetooth, the EVO BT pairs with the Arva app so you can adjust its settings, load software updates and run diagnostics at home.

The probe and shovel in the box

The Spark 240 probe reaches 2.40 m from eight 30 cm sections of 12 mm, 7001 T6 aluminium tube on a stainless steel tension cord. Pulling the locking handle assembles it through the PIN LOCK system and tensions it quickly, then the handle snaps onto the tube while you dig. It weighs 250 g and comes in a pouch printed with step-by-step rescue instructions.

The Access TS shovel has a telescopic oval shaft, a reinforced 2 mm aluminium blade and a T-handle with an ergonomic base for easy grip. The PIN LOCK system gives quick assembly of the blade onto the shaft, and 90% of the blade and 34% of the shaft are recycled aluminium.

Certification and standards

The EVO BT transmits on 457 kHz, so it is compatible with every other 457 kHz avalanche transceiver. Arva declare it compliant with the EU Radio Equipment Directive and the EN 300 718 avalanche beacon standards.

Maintenance and checks

The EVO BT runs on three AAA alkaline batteries for 350 hours in transmit, and works from -20 °C to +45 °C. Check that its auto-test completes at every start-up, keep its software current through the app, and assemble the probe and shovel at home before the first trip of the season so the movements are familiar.