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?

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.

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

Lailoken: " Any thoughts/suggestions?"

Check out the GPS group here. Several of us posted our recent experience with the new Garmin GPSMap 66i (InReach). In summary...I was VERY happy with it.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bushpilot: " I wear what I call a survival vest that contains what I need to stay alive when flying in the backcountry."

Inquiring minds want to know...

ResQLink, lifestraw, paracord, multitool, very small first aid to stop bleeding, space blanket, flashlight, lighter. Sometimes a 22cal pistol.

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?

Panolog Ointment. You have to get it from a veterinarian.

Don't ask me to bark.

Bushpilot: "
Don't ask me to bark."

Says the man who's quote is 'Raised by wolves'
Can we ask you to howl?

Thanks all, I think PLB is my way to go. If I can stay, I'll say, if I need to go, then I'll go.

Lailoken: "Thanks all, I think PLB is my way to go. If I can stay, I'll say, if I need to go, then I'll go.
"

Either way...you will always reach your destination!