BWCA PLB Boundary Waters Group Forum: Solo Tripping
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.

Author

Text

06/30/2018 04:40PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
So I've been renting a SPOT from an outfitter but since I've been going once a year pretty consistently I was wondering about buying something. Any pros and cons that could help in my decision? What do you fellow soloer's use?

 
      Print Top Bottom Previous Next
MReid
distinguished member (443)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/30/2018 06:12PM  
Some recent discussion. Lots of others.

Comms
Spot X
 
06/30/2018 07:02PM  
My wife refuses to use a smartphone/computer for "technical stuff" such as email, texting , or voice mail. So my choice was simple, PLB.

PLB-
Are built to certain International Government standard, including a 6 year to 50% battery life, 4+ watts of transmitting power, immersion depth and time. They sent signals directly to SAR satellite galaxy International Cospas-Sarsat Programme . They have no subscription fees, just requiring registration with NOAA.

Spot/Inreach-
Private company set it's own standards. FCC allows only .4 watts power. A subscrition is needed, the sat and message dispatching is thru a private co. Then routed to government SAR as needed.

For emergency signal transmission and hand-off to SAR the PLB is hands down a better, more robust system. The only point of using a Spot device is to allow some limited messaging communications.

butthead
 
06/30/2018 07:07PM  
You'll also find this one useful.


There is some good information in this one that will help.
 
06/30/2018 07:17PM  
The blog (andrewskurka) I referenced in the SPOTX thread also has other entries on other devices if you scroll through them.
 
06/30/2018 09:09PM  
If you just want something that will send a cry for help a PLB is the way to go. If family/friends need to know where you are or are comforted knowing where you are and that you are ok a Spot is a good deal.
If you need to have limited 2-way text then Spot or InReach.

Conversations- get a SAT phone.
 
06/30/2018 11:32PM  
ACR PLB for me. Just one big reliable "send help" button with no monthly fees.
 
07/01/2018 05:47AM  
Tom-

I don't know how you've been using the SPOT.

I've had a PLB for years. It seemed the best option for triggering emergency response and I did not want the "I'm OK" messaging of the SPOT since my wife is a worrier and would become distraught if it was not received. I also did not and do not want to be contacted. There is no additional annual/monthly fee; all you need to do is have the battery replaced after 5 years.

On the other hand, two-way communication would have advantages in an emergency situation, whether mine or someone else's. At some point I might add a Garmin, but not tell my wife about the ability to send "I'm OK" messages and 2-way communication.

Nobody was renting SPOT at that time and I did not want to buy one and pay the annual fee. I also did not want to pay the SAT phone rental fee. The Garmin monthly Freedom plan would fit my needs better than an annual fee.
 
billconner
distinguished member(8607)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
07/01/2018 08:34AM  
Good stuff above. Other than an SOS only PLB option, if only for one trip a year, I wonder if rental is still not the best - most cost effective - answer. Really depends why you want a device.
 
Minnesotian
distinguished member(2309)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/01/2018 10:21AM  
Banksiana: "If you just want something that will send a cry for help a PLB is the way to go. If family/friends need to know where you are or are comforted knowing where you are and that you are ok a Spot is a good deal.
If you need to have limited 2-way text then Spot or InReach.


Conversations- get a SAT phone."


That is a good summery of the options.

I got the Garmin InReach so that myself and trip partners can all communicte to the level needed for each family. My wife and I will say hello every other day, but my trip mate needs more communication.

And having that ability to talk to Search and Rescue so they know the probem more in depth is very valuable.

 
07/02/2018 09:50AM  
Jaywalker: "ACR PLB for me. Just one big reliable "send help" button with no monthly fees. "


+1....... I had my wife read all of the threads on the topic and let her decide because she is the one on the other end. She likes the no news is good news approach and said that waiting for check ins etc would just make her more anxious.
 
Fox416
member (26)member
  
07/02/2018 11:49AM  
I have no first hand knowledge with the bivystick but is it nice to see more options becoming available.


bivystick
 
07/02/2018 01:22PM  
Fox416: " I have no first hand knowledge with the bivystick but is it nice to see more options becoming available.



bivystick "


If you start adding cost of all needed component, cellphone, cell service data plan, Bivystick, service subscription, it turns into quite the investment. Though it is a viable option.

butthead
 
GraniteCliffs
distinguished member(1981)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/02/2018 07:20PM  
As BillConner says: If you are only using it once a year it would likely be much cheaper just to keep renting. Unless you take a very long trip every year.
 
07/02/2018 08:03PM  
I'll add this, Tom - the cost of a PLB amortized over 5-10 years is very cheap compared to rental prices, annual/monthly plans, etc. The $250 +/- price is $50 per year for 5 years. Replace the battery after 5 years and keep another five and it's even less.
 
GraniteCliffs
distinguished member(1981)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/03/2018 02:55PM  
My battery replacement is 75% of the cost of a new PLB so I will likely just replace it. However, at $50 a year it is way cheaper than any subscription device. But for single solo every year I pay to rent one just so someone knows where I am if I have a problem. Still cheaper than paying the annual fee.
 
07/04/2018 12:32PM  
GraniteCliffs: "My battery replacement is 75% of the cost of a new PLB ."


If you search a bit further you may find the service at $100+. That does include a functioning test.
Nearing replacement on my ResQLink PLB-375 online prices currently around $115, to $105v but shipping included. Of course if I ever find an upgrade to my unit then the battery service is off.

butthead
 
GraniteCliffs
distinguished member(1981)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/06/2018 09:46PM  
Thanks, Butthead. I will look into this---but leave in the am for the BW till next weekend. At just over a hundred bucks I would replace the battery for sure.
 
07/07/2018 06:10AM  
boonie: "I'll add this, Tom - the cost of a PLB amortized over 5-10 years is very cheap compared to rental prices, annual/monthly plans, etc. The $250 +/- price is $50 per year for 5 years. Replace the battery after 5 years and keep another five and it's even less. "


Very good advice Boonie. Thanks for all the good info guys. Looks like a PLB for me.
 
07/07/2018 07:41PM  
I got curious, Tom, and looked back - I bought mine in 2009, had a battery replacement 3 years ago, so won't have to replace for a couple more. This year will be the 9th trip I've used it. By the time I have to replace the battery, it'll work out to about $40 a year.
 
      Print Top Bottom Previous Next