Today, Ortovox announces an upcoming recall, effective May 25, of its 3+ avalanche transceivers relying on the company’s software version 2.1. The software error, not evident in prior testing, was found to temporarily disrupt the transceivers’ transmission function, potentially increasing search times in a burial. While Ortovox says there have been no known accidents as a result of the error, the company is taking precautionary measures to update any beacons with 2.1-specific software.

“[The software error] causes a disruption in the transmission, which, for the searcher, can lead to longer search times,” says brand manager Tom Mason. “People will ask, ‘Well, how much longer?’ It really depends on the situation. It’s hard to generalize. From our point of view, it’s an error, and it’s fixable, so we will fix it.”

To remedy the error, Ortovox says they’re aiming to make their recall as seamless as possible. Owners of the 3+ transceiver with 2.1 software can fill out a form on Ortovox’s website, then print a shipping label to send their affected beacons to the company’s service center in Germany. Once there, transceivers will be updated with the new 2.2 software.

“Given the time of year, it’s going to be few and far between who are still using [their 3+, 2.1 transceivers], but we will give out a loaner transceiver that people can use,” Mason says.“Some people are still out backcountry skiing, like here in Colorado, or are going on trips to places like South America. Wherever they’re headed, we want to give them that option.”

The 3+ transceiver, introduced by Ortovox in 2010, is currently available in four software versions: 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 and 2.1. In their press release, the company notes that the 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0 are not part of the recall; neither are the other Ortovox transceivers, the S+, S1+ and Zoom. But the specific recall will still reach a wide audience—Ortovox says U.S. circulation of the 3+ totals roughly 30,000, plus another 10,000 in Canada.

Mason hopes the early notice on the recall will help get the word out, noting, “Right now, we’re just announcing the recall to let people know about the error and to let them know to stop using their 3+s. We don’t just call the recall an obligation. We call it responsibility as a safety company.”

Find more information about this recall, as well as information on identifying affected transceivers and appropriate recall procedure, at ortovox.com/recall-3plus.