Ski & Snowboard · Head-to-head
Black Diamond Quickdraw Pro Probe vs BCA Stealth 300
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Avalanche Probes: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Quickdraw Pro pairs a light listed weight with a short collapsed length, clear markings and a stated UIAA certification. The Stealth 300 gives more reach for a heavier probe and a thinner list of cable details.
Black Diamond Quickdraw Pro Probe
Buy itA documented aluminum probe with a short collapsed length, clear markings and a UIAA certification on the maker page.
- The maker lists 7075 aluminum tubing, a stainless-steel cable and an aluminum tip, and states UIAA certification updated in 2023.
- High-contrast markings with highlights at 30, 90 and 200 cm, and different graphics on the top and bottom segments, make orientation and depth reads quicker.
- The storage bag integrates with the pull cord, so the probe is ready with one pull, and it is offered in 240, 280 and 320 cm lengths.
- The page lists a single weight of 261 g and a 40 cm collapsed length, and does not break these out by length, so check the exact size you order.
- Aluminum is not the lightest material option.
- The page does not list a tube diameter.
BCA Stealth 300
Buy itA 300 cm aluminum probe with laser-etched markings and Quick-Lock hardware, backed by a three-year warranty.
- The maker lists a 300 cm extended length, a 1.3 cm diameter and laser-etched depth markings, plus dual-sized markings for reading depth.
- It is certified to the UIAA standard for avalanche probes per the maker page, with a limited three-year warranty.
- The Stealth line also comes in 240, 270 and 330 cm aluminum versions, so you can match length to your terrain.
- The listed weight is 360 g, noticeably heavier than the other probes here.
- The collapsed length is 43 cm, slightly longer than the Black Diamond.
- The page says the Quick-Lock hardware eliminates loose cables but gives no detail on the cord or cable, so how it deploys is less clear.
Side by side
| Black Diamond Quickdraw Pro Probe | BCA Stealth 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Backcountry skiers who want a certified, well-marked probe in the length that suits their snowpack. | Skiers who want extra reach and a three-year warranty and accept a heavier probe. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $$ · mid-range |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Black Diamond Quickdraw Pro Probe - A documented aluminum probe with a short collapsed length, clear markings and a UIAA certification on the maker page. Choose the BCA Stealth 300 instead if skiers who want extra reach and a three-year warranty and accept a heavier probe.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Avalanche Probes: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).