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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Radar O'Reilly
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| martian |
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| R00kie |
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| WIMike |
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| boonie |
It doesn't do anything but send an SOS signal to SARSAT. I have not used the SOS button. I had no trouble with the registration process or the self-test. The price was less than your budgeted amount. If you want 2-way communication and other features like GPS, weather, etc. you will want something more than a pure PLB. |
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| MReid |
link1 Link2 Link3 |
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| timatkn |
I assume a PLB would be cheaper. T |
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| Mocha |
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| Jaywalker |
I got the ACR a few years ago. With just one button, it does just one thing and it does it really well - call for help, and I think it does it more reliably than any other device. If that is all you need, this is a good option and cost the least (I think). Last year I got a Garmin Inreach Mini. I do not do the regular check ins, but wanted to be able to get basic messages to rescuers on the nature of the problem if needed. Typing a message on just the Mini is slow and tedious, but possible, or you can pair it with your phone. Last fall I spent a week in the BWCA looking for a lost dog, and being able to send and receive messages from the person coordinating the search was invaluable. Typing messages on the phone was way, way easier, and I like the Earthmate software. While i had a compass with me, I liked using the my phone to track where I was when searching well off the portage - it really helped me know just where I was. The Mini will now be my primary device, but I kept the ACR for times my Mini subscription is turned off but I want some level or protection. |
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| timatkn |
Mocha: "Not to hijack but...was that dog ever found?" Yep! I don’t think I commented at the time but what a great person Jaywalker to volunteer your personal time to help. T |
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| dschult2 |
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| billconner |
Between Spot, Garmin, Bivystick, Zoleo, and Somewhere Global Hotspot, I am leaning towards the Zoleo, based on probably keeping it active year round. I like the Bivystick because of its service plan - no cost for months turned off. Not easy to compare service plans. I'm changing from Spot 2 because my wife wants regular 2-way communication. I may just go all the way and get a sat phone for her peace of mind. |
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| WIMike |
billconner: "I may just go all the way and get a sat phone for her peace of mind. Have you researched the sat phones/subscription plans and found one you like? |
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| gravelroad |
I have used a Garmin inReach SE since 2016 while hunting, skiing, snowshoeing and paddling, 99% of that solo. My wife approves of this message. :-) |
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| mschi772 |
Bivy was eliminated because while it appears to be "pay-as-you-go" it isn't really. You buy credits, but if you don't keep your plan running, credits don't actually roll over, they expire. Since I only plan to activate for a month at a time here and there throughout the year, the Bivy wouldn't actually be any different that starting and stopping the Somewear's service, but the Somewear's base plan, which is plenty for me, is cheaper. Spot wasn't a contender--too many stories of unreliable satellite network, the Spot X is clunky and bloated, and the Gen4's preset messages only is an extra turn-off--I don't plan to be texting conversations while out on a trip, but I with so many other products capable of allowing me to 2-way with SAR if I were to ever initiate an SOS, I wasn't about to deprive myself of the ability to communicate with my would-be rescuers. Garmin's are too clunky in their interface for my liking, and they're less friendly for others to interface with as well in regards to messaging. Sure, you can use them, even the mini, without a phone, but I always have a phone with me to serve as an interface. The mini does allow a phone interface, but the value just isn't there compared to competitors imo, and I don't want to find myself or others frustrated with actually trying to deal with a suboptimal interface/experience. |
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| Jaywalker |
Mocha: "Not to hijack but...was that dog ever found?" The one I went looking for, Eden, was found. She made it all the way from Muskeg to Cherokee where a couple were able to capture her and re-unite her with her owners. Sadly a second one that was lost three weeks later on Snipe was not found. BeaV went up to look for that one, but ice came in and ended any hopes of further search. |
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| billconner |
WIMike: "billconner: "I may just go all the way and get a sat phone for her peace of mind. Not much. I sense breakthroughs are coming. Read some reports if a starlink based phone. Encouraged by improved battery performance. I'll probably up my "research" when I have a longer trip upcoming. Pretty decent review here. One attractive feature if Zoleo besides lowest initial cost is its ability to use cell services and wifi if available, and those messages, etc., don't count against your service plan. |
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| mschi772 |
billconner:"One attractive feature if Zoleo besides lowest initial cost is its ability to use cell services and wifi if available, and those messages, etc., don't count against your service plan." For sure, Somewear also does this. Can't recall if Bivy does or not. |
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| deepwater |
I use the Garmin Inreach mini and love it. From what I could tell their satellite system is the best and most reliable. I don't care much about the user interface because how often do you actually use it? Maybe 1-3 times per day if you are sending messages. |
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| Savage Voyageur |
You said you don’t need to chat endlessly. Great who does? But my point is you have it “IF” you need it. You never know if texting or an email will save the day. Unless you get the top plan it will cost you $.50 a message after 40 messages so it kind of limits it anyway. There are free short messages you send, like all ok in camp. I plan on sending a message to our outfitter to pick us up with the tow boat at the end of our trip. Weather feature is another bonus for me during our trips. Helps plan the days traveling. I use our Garmin InReach unit all the time when we travel around the USA in our camper. We go to many spots that have zero cell service and it’s a good way to stay in contact with my daughter and son in law. We have even used it to contact others in our group that also have a Garmin InReach to communicate with them. If you are still set on just a PLB for rescue that I would suggest getting an ACR unit. |
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| billconner |
deepwater: "I get a kick out of the fact that half of the market for GPS communication devices is married men and their wives. That's why I got mine. They all use the same Iridium satellites except Spot, which uses and is owned by Globalstar. Waiting for Starlink to enter this market. |
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| gravelroad |
billconner: "It looks like Zoleo is only one that assigns you a telephone number that you can give to people who you want to be able to contact you. It seems the others require you contact someone and only then can they reply. I'm pretty sure that's the Spot and Garmin way, cant gind mention of it at Bivystick or Somewhere." This is wrong with respect to the inReach devices. All that is required is to enable MapShare and allow messages to be sent by the page visitors. My wife uses this constantly to send me messages she generates: MapShare Messaging In order to send a message to an inReach user through their MapShare page, the owner of the inReach account must have enabled MapShare and set it up to allow visitors to message the device. If you visit a MapShare page and are unable to send a message (indicated by Restricted Icon on the non-mobile site), let the inReach user know. Sending a Message through an inReach User's MapShare Page Visit the inReach user's MapShare page Select Message from the left panel In the Send Message window enter your email address or phone number, and a message Select Send The inReach will receive the message the next time it connects to the Iridium Network. MapShare Messaging |
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| R00kie |
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| billconner |
gravelroad: "billconner: "It looks like Zoleo is only one that assigns you a telephone number that you can give to people who you want to be able to contact you. It seems the others require you contact someone and only then can they reply. I'm pretty sure that's the Spot and Garmin way, cant gind mention of it at Bivystick or Somewhere." So you don't have to contact them but you do have to authorize them and they have to access your map share page. Hmmm. Doesn't sound as easy as sending and receiving text messages. Im glad it works for you. |
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| billconner |
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| billconner |
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