Backcountry Access BC Link for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides
Retail Price:
$149.95
$149.95
Used Value:
$89.97
$89.97
Sale Value:
$134.96
$134.96
As an experienced backcountry traveler, you know the importance of having a plan, being equipped with the proper gear, and staying in contact with your group at all times. Apart from changing conditions and gear malfunctions, one of biggest variables you'll encounter in the backcountry is group communication—help boost communication with the BCA BC Link Group Communication System. This lightweight microphone and radio/battery pack keeps the lines of communication open whether you're making an on-mountain change of course while backpacking, warning of an on-going slide when you're backcountry skiing, or coordinating search and rescue efforts in the event of an emergency.
Designed to fit neatly with BCA's Stash series of packs, this two-way radio will grab onto any ol' pack you have. Both units are designed to be water- and dust-resistant to deal with snow and storage. Equipped with 22 FRS and GMRS channels and 121 sub-channels, the BC Link delivers near-constant clarity when conveying critical information. You'll be able to stay in touch with others not lucky enough to have this little number since it is compatible with all standard FRS/GMRS radios. The base unit can clip to your belt or pack, or you can stash it inside a pack pocket. You also get a 2.5-mile line-of-sight range and up to 140 hours of battery life. The 3.7-Volt lithium ion battery can be recharged, so you've no excuse for not being fully prepared for any excursion in the wilderness, be it snow-covered or summertime.
Specifications
Brand:
Channels:
22 FRS/GMRS, 121 sub-channels
Dimensions:
[Smart Mic] 3.3 x 1.0 x 1.8 in, [base unit] 2.5 x 2.0 x 6.0 in
Manufacturer Warranty:
3 years limited
Material:
[case] polycarbonate
Recommended Use:
backcountry touring, hiking, backpacking
Full Reviews
These have great functionality and battery life is unbelievable, but range is absolutely terrible. The bang for buck is not quite there even at a discounted price. If you are in close range, great, but anything outside of half mile or less, terrible. Would not buy these again.
Kiki P., backcountry.com
July 30, 2020
July 30, 2020
Along with beacon shovel probe the BCA radio is a backcountry essential. Communication with your group as well as others in the area is key in staying safe. The radios are super easy to use and battery does well in the cold. Also integrates seamlessly when used with BCA backpacks . Be mindful of the base unit to smart mic connection. A must have for backcountry travel.
Gregory Hope, backcountry.com
November 22, 2019
November 22, 2019
These are awesome, great range on them.
Nick, backcountry.com
March 20, 2019
March 20, 2019
These are super cool in theory. But the range on them is not too great. Frequently cut out when they should really be in range.
DJ Redundant II, backcountry.com
March 13, 2019
March 13, 2019
A radio is a staple item to have in the backcountry. Communication with your partner and between the group is key. The BCA Link is a solid trustworthy radio and the rechargeable factor is great. I do wish the radio let you place in batteries as a backup.
Rain Felkl, backcountry.com
February 19, 2019
February 19, 2019
I used this radio for ~2 years and really liked it. Never had any technical issues. Always found it valuable, particularly when skiing in high alpine terrain or heavily treed terrain where tree wells might be an issue. It's really helpful to be able to communicate with your BC partner(s), especially should you lose site of them, or simply to share important real-time info on hazards, weather, or snow conditions.
Pip Hunt, backcountry.com
January 27, 2019
January 27, 2019
Got these to help with communication in the backcountry because I'm new to ski touring and they really do help. It's nice not having to yell all the time. It's nice for the first person going down to give us beta on the line and where to go/not go. It's nice if you have a terrible sense of direction and lose your party in the trees. It's nice if you're the slowest in the group and your friends are wondering where you are, but not so worried that they'll slow down enough to stay in sight. Yea, def go get these.
WK, backcountry.com
December 28, 2018
December 28, 2018
Used these in Switzerland and Colorado two separate seasons. Idea is great but this solution is just mediocre and expensive. The push to talk button is poorly integrated, small and requires too-small a target to hit when used with gloves. Additionally the mic has an awkward anchor that takes some facilitation since if it is positioned incorrectly no one can hear you. You really need to crane your neck and point it at your mouth while talking to be heard by someone on the other end. My friends who I convinced to buy these were unimpressed so rarely ended up wearing them. When we did it helped a lot because no one wants to dig out a phone on the mountain. best used for apres-ski in-bar communication and recon. "cutie at 12 oçlock" -- "copy that"
Reid Peryam, backcountry.com
November 26, 2018
November 26, 2018
Good communication is key for safe travel in the backcountry. As an IFMGA mountain guide and ski guide I spend on average 100+ days a year skiing off-piste from resorts, touring in the backcountry as well as Heli-skiing. In all these pursuits having a good radio to communicate with our guest and other guides is paramount. The feature that sets this radio apart from it's competitors is the ingeniously designed Smart Mic. It's glove-friendly controls are optimized for easy handling and is located at your fingertips, meaning you never need to dig the radio out of your pack to change settings. Smart Mic Unit provides push-to-talk button, on/off switch, volume control, battery indicator, loudspeaker, channel selection, and an earphone jack. The battery charge lasts multiple days with normal use and easily recharges in a few hours from full drain. Below are other key features that comes with it. - 22 FRS and GMRS channels + 121 sub-channels ensure minimal interference. - Radio includes option for pre-set channel selections. - Compatible with all standard FRS/GMRS radios. - Designed to be worn with all backpacks. - Secure cord connection and alligator clip for shoulder or sternum strap. - Glove-friendly controls, optimized for easy handling. - On/off and volume control. - Channel control. - Push-to-talk button. - Loudspeaker.
keith G., backcountry.com
November 26, 2018
November 26, 2018
Communication in the backcountry has never been easier - this radio is the perfect device for keeping track of your friends and giving line beta. Super easy to use and compatible with every backpack I've used!
Melanie Harding, backcountry.com
November 11, 2018
November 11, 2018
I can't say enough good things about these radios. Inside the pack body with external hand unit is well thought out. It integrates well with my bca pack. It does okay with my non-BCA packs. Range is great. Overall, very dependable and will save your bacon in communication meltdowns.
Brian C., backcountry.com
June 23, 2018
June 23, 2018
Works great, good range , bought 3 for snowmobiling. Help with communication when in trees and you can't see each other, or to notify others of conditions ahead. Battery life good for 2 full days, haven't tested a third, recharged before that.
Robert D., backcountry.com
May 2, 2018
May 2, 2018
Reliable, easy to use. good range. the multi channel toggle is really easy to program and switch between stations. great quality.
Matt Myers, backcountry.com
March 28, 2018
March 28, 2018
This is a great tool. The radio is easy to use, and I appreciate the battery life which can be up to 2 all day outings in cold weather. The range is great, 2+ miles through non-libe of sight backcountry (what?!?) And the shoulder clip is genius. It's a 5 star tool when it's fuctiona, however I have ran into some reliability issues. 1- connector will sometimes unlock itself die to rough radio management of the base unit. 2 - at lower battery levels, often the unit won't transmit.
Brian C., backcountry.com
March 20, 2018
March 20, 2018
New purchase. I recently picked a set up as a Christmas present for a friend and myself. We have already been able to get tons of use out of the new purchase. Easy to use, great battery life, and great range.
Clay Puglisi, backcountry.com
February 28, 2018
February 28, 2018
These radios are awesome! Very user friendly. They stand the test of cold like non other and they have a strong single. The battery life is also really solid. If you are in the market for radios then look no further.
Jack Hall, backcountry.com
January 31, 2018
January 31, 2018
When I was shopping around for radios I was initially going to go with a much cheaper option from Amazon, but I'm so glad I didn't. These are worth every penny, and I can't believe I ever skied without them! We all know that electronics become less reliable in cold temperatures, but BCA has done a really good job of anticipating that issue and making these puppies super functional, even in very cold weather (I've used these in the low teens so far with no issues). The range is really impressive so far. I recently used them on a backcountry hut trip in a heavily treed area, and was able to communicate with members of my group that were at least two miles away with no issues. I've also been really pleased with how well they hold a charge. I used mine for three full days before having to throw it in the charger, and it still had about 1/3 battery.
Karsyn Ansari, backcountry.com
January 30, 2018
January 30, 2018
After way too many incidents with inferior walkie talkies in the backcountry such as poor range, freezing up and lack of convenience, I finally pulled the trigger on a pair of BC Link radios and will never look back. Everyone in my group uses these religiously when we are skinning in the backcountry and have found that we communicate more frequently and effectively when we have radios that are as easy and convenient to use as these. Beacon, probe, shovel and BC Link radio. Every. Single. Trip.
ncurt22-0, backcountry.com
January 7, 2018
January 7, 2018
We use these radios when skinning and back country skiing. The connector between the base radio and the mic has now broken on two of our radios. The plastic connection between the two components of this radio is the week link and needs a new design with a non plastic socket.
Brian Fratzke, backcountry.com
January 5, 2018
January 5, 2018
New purchase with only a couple uses so far. It seems to work really well. Easy to use, battery life seems to work well in the cold, and the range seems good!
johngchrist, backcountry.com
December 29, 2017
December 29, 2017
