Transceivers, sometimes called beacons, are built to be durable, but there are some best practices for ensuring your beacon is working properly and lasts you a long time. The most important check is of your batteries. As a general rule, replace your beacon’s batteries if they drop below 50 percent and never try to draw batteries down to zero. You can always give them a second life in less critical devices such as your TV remote. You should also do your best to protect your beacon from impacts. Bruce Edgerly, co-founder of transceiver manufacturer Backcountry Access says, “a beacon is a smart device and like a brain, it can get concussions. The more concussions it has, the less precise it is.”  Edgerly also cautions that cold weather can affect the antennas inside a beacon over time, so don’t leave it in your vehicle or unheated garage for long periods of time.