Every disc golfer knows the frustration: You throw a perfect shot only to watch your favorite driver disappear into the woods or tall grass. Fifteen minutes later, you give up the search, your great round disrupted, and your bank account slightly lighter. Fortunately, The Beacon Disc Golf Tracker is here to solve that problem, as long as your round isn’t in a PDGA-sanctioned event. But don’t let that major caveat immediately write of the Beacon.
Based on my testing, I can confirm that the Beacon Disc Golf Tracker works exactly as its creator 2014 – a seasoned product designer, engineer, and avid disc golfer – claims. It has two essential functions that it performs well.
Once the button is pressed, it emits a clear beep every 10 seconds until it is pressed and silenced again. Furthermore, the attachment process is secure; once affixed to a disc using the supplied adhesive ring, no impact or scrape is going to knock or pry it off. And the device won’t turn on if the battery is too low, so assuming you remembered to turn it on before throwing, you’ll find that disc.
This product very effectively solves a universal disc golf problem: the inability to retrieve a disc you can’t see. If that disc has a Beacon tracker attached, simply walking within the vicinity should allow you to hear it.
Key Features and Functionality
- A Clear Signal: The tracker emits a clear beep every 10 seconds.
- Range: You can easily hear your Beacon up to approximately 100 feet away.
- Universal Fit: It attaches to any disc or plastic type.
- Durability: The device is Water-Resistant, capable of handling rain, wet grass, and brief dunks in water.
- Customization: It features four unique sound settings to match your preference.
- Battery Life: The easily replaceable CR2016 battery lasts up to 100 rounds.
Technical Specifications
- Weight: Approximately 7 grams (~7g).
- Size: 1.41 inches (36mm) diameter and 0.28 inches (7mm) height.
- Attachment: The Beacon uses 3M VHB double-sided tape specifically designed to attach to disc plastics.
Who Needs Beacon? My Verdict on Utility
I believe the Beacon tracker will be a huge addition for casual disc golfers. For recreational players who hit the course regularly, the $15 price point (or less when bought in packages of 3 or 6) makes a lot of sense. These players might consider attaching trackers to most of their discs, reasoning that this will dramatically reduce their lost disc rate. This results in savings of time spent searching, money spent replacing discs, and a reduction in FDSA (favorite disc separation anxiety).
During testing, I quickly discovered a new experience while watching a disc I just launched soar into thick, overgrown brush and trees: Calm. I knew I wouldn’t be losing a disc, taking a lost disc penalty stroke, or spending time fruitlessly peering into dark spaces, armed with nothing but hope. This elimination of anxiety, even if it is only mild anxiety, kind of defines the word priceless. Recreational players (who, by the way account for the majority of all players) are out there to relax and have fun, after all!
(Top and bottom pics of my tester disc)
I can see some rec players sticking Beacons to all or most of their discs and eliminating one of the only detractions of this glorious, accessible sport. But for players who like to compete in PDGA events it’s a little more complicated, as PDGA rules prohibit anything being attached to a disc.
Also, while I believe the creator’s claim that the small device doesn’t noticeably alter a disc’s flight for most, it seems mostly directed at concerns about the device messing with the balance of the disc. In that he’s correct; I didn’t notice anything that looked weird or off axis about the disc’s flight. If a sophisticated player is used to throwing a technical shot with a 173 gram disc, though, and now that disc weighs 180, the formula for that technical shot is going to change. That hyzer flip will require a bit more speed or a slight angle or release point change, for instance.
The large majority of regular players don’t execute on that level and won’t notice the weight difference much, and this product is still quite useful in certain circumstances for all disc golfers (Golfers who DO notice a difference should be able to adjust):
- Exploring New Courses: They are ideal for road trips where you are playing courses for the first time and won’t be able to return later to possibly retrieve lost discs.
- Practice Rounds: They are paramount during practice rounds before a tournament, allowing players to efficiently learn the holes without losing key discs.
- Local Trouble Spots: They can be used on those holes on your local course that always pose a high risk for losing a disc.
- Snow rounds and glow rounds: Get rid of the ribbons and experience night rounds in a whole new way!
Get Yours Early: Kickstarter Campaign Details
The company website is http://beacondiscgolf.com/, but Beacons won’t be for sale anywhere except Kickstarter, and only until November 22nd. After that you’ll have to wait until early next year to get one. Don’t wait! $15 isn’t much to support a disc golf entrepreneur and check out a potentially (disc golf) life-changing product.
If you’re still on the fence, the Beacon Disc Golf Tracker was engineered by Kevin Glennon, a product designer, engineer, and avid disc golfer who previously spent eight years developing outdoor grills and electronics at Weber. And I noticed Kickstarter gave the campaign a “Project We Love” endorsement seal. So I think your investment is safe!
If you want to be among the first to feel that new, wonderful sense of calm when a drive goes rogue, the Kickstarter Campaign is open now.
- Campaign End Date: The campaign runs through November 22, 2025.
- Early Access: Backers of the campaign get access to the product 3 months before the general release.
- Link: Find the campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kevinglennon/beacon-the-disc-golf-tracker.
Please come back and comment if you give it a try. Let us know what you think!