ORTOVOX Direct Voice Avalanche Transceiver with Integrated Voice Navigation User Guide

: June 6, 2024
: ORTOVOX

ORTOVOX Direct Voice Avalanche Transceiver with Integrated Voice Navigation User Guide

Product Overview

a: Toggle switch in SEND position
b : Toggle switch in SEARCH position
On/Off button
FLAG button
USB C charging port
Safety loop
Carabiner
Quick-access closure
Waist belt buckle
USB charging cable

IMPORTANT NOTICE

AN AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER DOES NOT PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST AVALANCHES. It is important to have in-depth knowledge of avalanche prevention and to plan all backcountry tours and freeride outings properly. Never enter potentially dangerous terrain without an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and practice using your safety equipment regularly so that you are fully prepared in the event of an emergency.

At ortovox.com ➜ safety academy you can find details of a course near you.

SWITCHING ON/ SWITCHING OFF

To switch the device on or off, hold down the ON/OFF button for two seconds. To confirm that you want to switch the device off, you will need to press the FLAG button.

LANGUAGE SELECTION

You can select the language during the initial set-up process. To change to a different language, hold down the FLAG button briefly. Then select the language you want by holding down the FLAG button for two seconds

SELF TEST AND BATTERY TEST

Each time the transceiver starts, it performs an automatic self test and displays the remaining battery charge status. Once battery charge falls below 40%, the device should be charged as soon as possible. If the display shows “Battery empty” then the transceiver might switch itself off at any moment.

Battery test

GET THE APP

The ORTOVOX APP (Apple iOS & Android) is free of charge and can be used for the following:

Regular Software Updates (strongly recommended!)
Extending the warranty to five years
Device registration (for safety-related information)
Changing the device settings

IF THE DEVICE SHOWS ANOTHER WARNING:

Move 5 meters away from any electronic or metal objects
Turn the transceiver off and then on again
If the same warning appears again, the device must be inspected (see SERVICE)

COMPASS CALIBRATION

The device will inform you if the compass needs calibrating. Move 5 meters away from any magnetic, metallic or electronic objects. Hold the device horizontally, rotate it several times in a clockwise direction and then around the other two axes until the display disappears.

CHARGING THE BATTERY

Charge the device using the supplied USB cable directly from a power source (e.g. laptop) or using a USB plug (e.g. from a smart phone) into a power socket. After charging, remove it promptly from the power source and carefully seal the charging port again with the rubber cover. Charging is not possible below 0°C. While it is charging, the device cannot transmit or search.

TIP: To improve battery performance, avoid frequent short charging. For example, only charge the device when capacity drops below 80%.

STORAGE

Store the device at room temperature in a dry place, away from direct sunlight. If the device is to be stored for several months, charge the battery to 100% first. A stored device must be fully recharged after 10 months at the latest.

GROUP CHECK

Group check

Before every tour or descent, all transceivers within the group must be checked. In GROUP CHECK mode, test if the other transceivers are transmitting correctly. To activate this, turn on the device and press the FLAG button. The test distance should be one meter and the distance between group members at least three meters. The device will show the results and the distance measured.

Group check

INTERFERENCE

Electronic, magnetic and metallic objects and equipment can naturally interfere with avalanche transceivers.
Possible sources of inference are smartphones, (action)cameras, radio equipment, sports watches, GPS devices, power banks and electricity lines, ski lifts etc.

IN SEND AND STANDBY MODE, possible sources of interference must be at least 20 centimeters from the transceiver.

IN SEARCH MODE , possible sources of interference must be at least 50centimeters from the transceiver. Ideally, you should turn off all other electronic devices.

SEND MODE

Send mode is the normal operating mode in terrain where there is a risk of avalanches. If the toggle switch is in the SEND position the send display shows. To save power, this display switches off when the device is in the dark (device in carrying system), although the transceiver is still transmitting. The display is reactivated by daylight or by pressing the button.

HOW TO CARRY THE DEVICE

Secure the safety loop in the eyelet at the bottom of the transceiver. We recommend that you carry the transceiver in the carrying system. Keep the display facing your body and slide it in with the toggle switch end inserted first. The quick-access closure and waist belt buckle must be closed. Secure the device by placing the safety loop in the carabiner. The carrying system must always be covered by one layer of clothing. If you are only wearing one layer of clothing, we recommend that you carry the transceiver in a zipped pocket (not an outside patch pocket).

Correct way to secure the safety loop

Secure the safety loop

SEARCH

One part of the group searches with their avalanche transceivers. The other rescuers perform the other tasks: emergency call, digging, etc. and switch to standby mode. In standby mode, your own send signal is temporarily paused

TO ACTIVATE SEARCH MODE , open out the toggle switch into SEARCH position.

TO ACTIVATE STANDBY MODE , in SEND MODE press the FLAG button, open out the toggle switch, and then close it back down again

SECONDARY AVALANCHE SWITCHOVER

In case there is a secondary avalanche, after two minutes of minimal movement the transceiver will automatically revert from standby mode to transmission mode.

SIGNAL SEARCH

If no signal is displayed, search the avalanche debris with the maximum search strip width shown on the display. The search strip width adapts automatically to the surroundings. Look out for partially buried victims. Make sure the distance to the edge of the avalanche is not more than half the search strip width (SSW).

Signal search

COARSE SEARCH

Once you have a signal, hold the transceiver in front of you, in a horizontal position, and walk following the direction pointer. If the distance indicator goes up, search in the opposite direction.

OVER TEN METERS: Move quickly. Your coarse search direction only has to be approximate.

LESS THAN 10 METERS: Move more slowly. Your search direction should be exactly in line with the direction pointer.

FINE SEARCH

When you are three meters away, the direction pointer will disappear.
Move the transceiver close over the surface of the snow. Search slowly and precisely in a cross shape to determine the shortest distance to the signal.
Mark this point with an object to start probing.

Fine search

PROBE, DIG, FIRST AID

In the SAFETY ACADEMY LAB on ortovox.com you’ll find helpful videos on avalanche rescue techniques.

SEARCHING FOR MULTIPLE VICTIMS

The total number of victims is shown at the bottom of the display. The transceiver will lead you to the next nearest victim.

FLAGGING

Once you have located a victim, you can hide this signal by using the flagging function. To do this, press the FLAG button when you are less than five meters away. The victim is immediately displayed with a flag and you can continue your search for the next victim.

SERVICE

The next required service by the ORTOVOX inspection team will be displayed when you turn off the device. Please use this service during the summer months. If the “battery service necessary” message is displayed, the transceiver must be inspected by the inspection service to ensure that the required operating time can be guaranteed.
For repairs or service inspection, use the ORTOVOX APP or visit ortovox.com/servicecard.

Service card

WARRANTY

The warranty period for defects in workmanship and materials is two years from the date of purchase. By registering the device online via the ORTOVOX APP or ortovox.com, the total warranty period is extended to five years from the date of purchase. Registration also means that we can send you safety-related information.

The battery and charging cable and damage caused by improper handling and natural wear are excluded from the warranty. Service inspections are invoiced for transceivers that have no defects. Shipping costs are to be borne by the owner.

TECHNICAL DATA

Model: DIRACT / DIRACT VOICE Digital transceiver with 3 antennas Voice navigation (DIRACT VOICE only)
Transmission frequency: 457kHz (international standard)
Search strip width: max 50 meters (as measured by ICAR: AVA REC 0007) RECCO © reflector (on carrying system)
Transmission field strength: 457kHz: max 7 dBµA/m (2,23 µA/m) at 10 meters
Power supply: Lithium-ion battery, 3,7 V / 1100 mAh / 4,07 Wh
Charging port: USB C
Operating time: Minimum 200 hours SEND followed by 1 hour SEARCH
Bluetooth Low Energy transmission frequency: 2.402 GHz – 2.480 GHz
Bluetooth Low Energy transmission strength: max. 0 dBm
Temperature range: -20 °C to +45 °C (-4 °F to 113 °F)
Dimensions: 7.9 × 12 × 2.3 cm
Weight: 210 g (+ 80 g carrying system)