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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Damn sat phone vs Spot |
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09/28/2019 12:05PM
Hi, I loath connectivity and go up here to avoid it, but have finally conceded maybe should take a communication device after many years of ignoring. I have only taken SAT phone in past when with friend who wanted or with my son way farther north in Wabakimi. I only want the device for full-on emergencies, so no check in, weather checks, etc. It will be a question of "do I need medical evacuation or not?" I'm guessing SAT phone is the best option? I went 5x last year, including winter camping, so thinking of buying vs. rental. Any thoughts/suggestions?
09/28/2019 01:03PM
Look into the Garmin Inreach. It well do what you you're asking and you can pay month to month with different plans starting around $15. I like the preset messages which are no extra charge and it also lets the person you reached know exactly where you are. My wife is very worried on my solo trips. Makes a world of difference to her when I check in each day.
09/28/2019 01:20PM
Greater transmission power (as much as x10) than sat-phone or Spot/Inreach, connects directly to international SAR instead of a hired secondary company, Personal Locator Beacons
butthead
butthead
"never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups" George Carlin
09/28/2019 04:15PM
If all you care about is calling emergency services, get a PLB. You push it, they come, no do overs.
Everyone has their priorities. Personally I like my Spot. It has worked everyplace I've used it, even in tent under tree cover. But calling EMS is not my priority. (Quite a few reports here of a Spot having summoned EMS promptly.
Everyone has their priorities. Personally I like my Spot. It has worked everyplace I've used it, even in tent under tree cover. But calling EMS is not my priority. (Quite a few reports here of a Spot having summoned EMS promptly.
09/28/2019 05:46PM
Sounds like a PLB such as the ACR ResQLink would be exactly what you want. No subscription fees, around 300.00. You do have to send it in for a check up and new batteries every 5 years for around 100.00. Push a button and they come, no communication, and a stronger more reliable signal over most communication devices. That being said, most devices work well most of the time.
So many fish,so little time
09/28/2019 06:56PM
Bought a sat phone 6 or 7 years ago. Has already paid for itself vs rental rates. Got it for emergency-only purposes, but has come in handy on a couple occasions when changing pick-up times and/or take-out points with shuttle or tow operators. As we get older, medical situations are more likely to pop up, so I feel a bit safer having a sat phone handy. Also hated staying “connected”, but have come to terms with it...
09/28/2019 07:39PM
No question about it. Adds a completely different vibe to the trip. It's weird to be managing electronics on a bed of duff, you know what I'm saying? OTOH, if it allows me to keep going, I gladly bring it. Maybe PLB is enough for you. I like the two-way communication, the free pre-sets, the weather and the "oops" feature of the SOS and especially the communication flexibility of the SOS. Like Blatz said, flexibility with the subscription as well. Kind of like my life jacket, wouldn't go without now. But no question, I find myself "managing it" and that's really a different layer. This last time, I just put it away. Then brought it out to check on home, check the weather, check the twins score, see a picture of the cat and watch an old MASH re-run. You get the point. Part of managing it is managing myself with it.
09/29/2019 08:46AM
I have spent time at flying camps in Ontario and all I bring is a PLB. No fees. For emergency rescues only. I see a few friends using the newer Inreach mini. They get text messages and weather via Bluetooth to their smart phones. I think the prices is about $40 a month for 50 messages. Sat phones Iridium Satellite is the way to go. There are other ones but coverage is limited in the far north. All would work okay in the bwca but if you ever went to the northern Yukon or Alaska they might not work.
Raised by wolves!
09/29/2019 09:02AM
I've used sat phones, PLBs, and now use an inReach. Each has different levels of user involvement, and hence information transfer. If all you want is an SOS, a PLB suffices. If you want to provide very useful information regarding your predicament (e.g. sprained ankle vs open fracture), then a phone or Spot/inReach two-way communicator is needed. inReach uses the same Iridium system that the better sat phones use (vs Globalstar), so coverage should theoretically be the same. With all the two-way communicators, you can leave them off until an emergency--you don't have to check in, check the weather, etc. if you don't want to (though test them prior to each trip). I have annual coverage with my inReach as I do things year-round (skiing, climbing, paddling, etc.).
09/30/2019 07:04AM
MReid: If you want to provide very useful information regarding your predicament (e.g. sprained ankle vs open fracture), then a phone or Spot/inReach two-way communicator is needed. ."
This is why I got an InReach. I can accurately text in the degree of emergency I have.
"It is more important to live for the possibilities that lie ahead than to die in despair over what has been lost." -Barry Lopez
09/30/2019 05:15PM
This subject comes up a lot. One issue not addressed in this thread is the trail - the sending coordinates at regular intervals.you may not want people to know where you've been, but if you do need help, and can't signal from incapacitation or your device just floated away, someone can see where you were last.
It is fun to follow someone's progress. Seen that once or twice here.
It is fun to follow someone's progress. Seen that once or twice here.
09/30/2019 05:47PM
billconner: "This subject comes up a lot. One issue not addressed in this thread is the trail - the sending coordinates at regular intervals.you may not want people to know where you've been, but if you do need help, and can't signal from incapacitation or your device just floated away, someone can see where you were last.
It is fun to follow someone's progress. Seen that once or twice here."
LOL...yeah, perhaps the only place on earth that we cannot be tracked unless we want to is the BWCAW and Quetico. Around town, google knows your every step and predicts your every thought.
09/30/2019 06:41PM
billconner: " your device just floated away,."
The way I look at it is survival gear is something you carry on your person. A plb does you no good in your back pack as your canoe is being blown across the lake and out of sight. I wear what I call a survival vest that contains what I need to stay alive when flying in the backcountry.
Raised by wolves!
09/30/2019 08:02PM
Bushpilot: "ResQLink, lifestraw, paracord, multitool, very small first aid to stop bleeding, space blanket, flashlight, lighter. Sometimes a 22cal pistol."
Nice. I have a couple of space blankets. Always wondered how effective they are. Do you include any topical antibiotic?
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