Locator Beacon: PLB or SPOT?

[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;

[EpicSteve]

After a lot of research, I came to the same conclusions as ondafringe and bought a PLB. I carry a McMurdo FastFind 210 GPS. Bought it for $279. Weighs 5.6 oz. 5 year battery life (unused).