Locator Beacon: PLB or SPOT?

[AlmostThere]

You can confirm a message was sent but not that it was received. after waiting five tense hours for a followup text telling me "we found him" that was sent within 15 minutes of the previous "we can't find him" - I will never bother with two way devices. Won't put people I care about through that. I have a PLB and leave an itinerary.


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[ttt]

How many of you folks carry a personal tracking device, like SPOT, while backpacking? Which ones are the most reliable? Any comments appreciated. ttt

[Thebrenner]

Hi
I have the SPOT2 and carry it always when backpacking. I send a check in ok location every evening so the folks at home can follow along. It has always been reliable. I like this model because I can set 3 messages before I leave home.
Msg1: I'm ok having great time ( this message goes to everyone on my list)
Msg2: I'm not hurt but I think I'm lost. I need help. ( this message goes to two people who have specific instructions on what to do if they get this message)
Msg 3: I'm running behind schedule if you don't hear from me in 2 days via phone call s&r. ( this message goes to one specific person who has detailed information about what to do if she gets this message)
I backpack solo frequently and I've found that this system works well. But if anyone has more suggestions I'm open to hearing them.

The newer generation 3 spot is set up to track your location every few minutes ( I think....but check me on this) and is an ounce lighter.

I always fill out a RE-CONN form and leave copies with friends as well as one copy on my dashboard at the trailhead. I always call or text as soon as I have phone service.

Happy trails!

[oldranger]

ttt

use the search function. This topic has been discussed ad nauseum on the outdoor gear forum.

Mike

[The Other Tom]

...and welcome to HST

[overheadx2]

My experience with Delorme Inreach is about the same as brenners. Same tracking, same preset messages, but you can send a specific text to up to 5 people or facebook. They also sync to smart phones if you want to send pics or personal messages. I usually just send preset messages each night to my wife and family members of backing buddies but always remind them no news is good news. Ive never had a message not go through. It cost about $30 a month and weighs about a pound. My friends and I are all 50+. Call me over cautious, but if some one in my group died from some thing like a compound fracture or another ilness or injury that could be easily treated if evacuated, I would never be able to live with that.My .02cent, Phil

[rlown]

the mods or admin might consider folding this into viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10201&hilit=SPOT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As Mike pointed out, we've had these discussions and it would be nice to consolidate them.

[maverick]

the mods or admin might consider folding this into viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10201&hilit=SPOT

As Mike pointed out, we've had these discussions and it would be nice to consolidate them

Done

[hjldennis]

I ASSUME that SPOT's reliability must have increased during the past year. I don't know much about SPOT, but for Globalstar's sat phone, it used to be so unreliable that they offered something like $40/mo unlimited plan, and still couldn't get people to sign up (including me). Since then they deployed more satellites and supposedly better/continuous service. I never thought I needed locator beacon since I don't go solo, usually with my family of four, but I should seriously consider one.

Unless Google is successful and decides to deploy their Loon Projects (which I thought was a far fetched idea out of comic book at first) over wilderness areas .... who knows - many sci-fi things have come to reality already.

[robow8]

My wife works for an outdoor retailer so we were able to pick up an inReach Explorer really cheap, and we used it for a week trip in the Yosemite high country. We sent a preset message every morning and evening to 7 people (kids etc.) and had no problems. I really liked that you can get a weather forecast for your location, and if you have it as one of your preset messages, it only costs you one message when it is sent to you. More info here: http://wx2inreach.weebly.com/details.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;