Evo5+ Transceiver

The Arva EVO5+ is a compact digital avalanche transceiver with three antennas, a 50 m search strip and a backlit screen, packed into a 111 x 72 x 20 mm body that weighs 165 g with its single AA battery. It rides in a zipped pocket all day and shows a direction arrow and distance reading once it picks up a signal.

Who it's for

Skiers, splitboarders and snowshoers heading beyond the resort boundary, from the Main Range in Kosciuszko to the Bogong High Plains and the bigger terrain of New Zealand and Japan. The EVO5+ suits everyday tourers and once-a-season backcountry visitors alike, because Arva designed it to be compact and intuitive to use during a search. Every person in the party carries their own transceiver, probe and shovel.

How it performs in a search

Three antennas and digital signal processing pick up a transmitting beacon across a 50 m search strip, then guide you in with a direction arrow and a distance indication. Automatic gain control keeps the signal manageable when more than one person is buried, the screen counts up to three victims and adds a plus sign beyond that, and the marking function identifies victims you have already located. Head the wrong way and the U-turn alarm calls you back.

Interference is most common around ski areas. When it detects interference, the EVO5+ reduces its search strip width to 20 m and shows an INTERFERENCE 20m message, and you must then narrow your search strips to 20 m. Arva note the user can disable this function.

Using it under pressure

A single selector moves the EVO5+ between off, send and search, and a lock button holds the selector firmly in send while you tour. The backlit screen gives optimum contrast in all lighting conditions, and the speaker gives a precise, modulated beep. Every time you switch it on, the EVO5+ runs a self-test of its main functions before it settles into transmit.

In case of a secondary avalanche, a timer returns the EVO5+ to transmit: in search mode it beeps every eight minutes and asks you to confirm, and if you do not press the marking button it reverts to transmit. Press it to stay in search mode while a search is still going. Group check mode, including a check of transmit frequency, lets the party test everyone's beacon at the trailhead.

Certification and standards

The EVO5+ transmits on 457 kHz, so it works with every other 457 kHz avalanche transceiver whatever the brand. Arva declare it compliant with the EU Radio Equipment Directive and with the EN 300 718 avalanche beacon standards.

Maintenance and checks

One AA alkaline battery gives a minimum of 200 hours in transmit followed by an hour of searching. Stick to alkaline: lithium and rechargeable cells are not suitable. The start-up screen shows the battery level, and a fresh battery goes in once it drops below 50%. The EVO5+ operates from -20 °C to +45 °C.

Looking after it

Store the EVO5+ somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sun, and take the battery out for long storage over summer. Before each season, check that the selector and screen work properly and that the battery compartment is free of corrosion. Registering the transceiver with Arva adds three years to the standard two-year warranty.