Thread: Personal Locator &/or SPOT ideas ???

I hadn't heard of these & just did some online research & Gen 3 seems to be US$165.00 P.A. however other versions -V2 & Connect are available @ US$115.00 P.A.

Leaning towards the SPOT GEN3 one, just got to work out the finer details as in how many pre-programmed messages / Allotted Characters/message / tracking costs / process when a emergency signal is received, etc....

I guess also your at the mercy of the exchange rate too when it comes to the annual fees.....

SWMBO is always telling me to get lost
Why would I help her find me?

Another vote for SPOT. I use mine all the time when out on my own. Our place in the Snowies doesn't have mobile reception.

Originally Posted by Barefoot Dave

Garry, he was trapped in a narrow canyon with near-zero chance of the signal being received.
My point was, that all such devices rely on clear sky to operate effectively and a radio 'shadow' of hills or thick forest canopy renders them near useless.

+1

A few years back I was involved when a group of school students set an emergency beacon off whilst kayaking in a gorge up around Nymboida, NSW. One of the teachers had to carry it to the top of the canyon for it to see any satellites and raise the alarm.

ALWAYS have an itinerary and a backup emergency plan

Alternatively:

Iridium | Products | Iridium Extreme Satellite Phone
AND
GEOS | We Save Lives... We Are GEOS

An interesting and simple (just how I like it!) comparison of PLB vs Sat. messengers

PLBs and Satellite Messengers: How to Choose

Interestingly, some of the messengers can do 2 way communications (more expensive)

I have been looking at the Spot tracker for our trips. We have them at work.

We like to have very loose plans for our trips however people are used to instant communication and think you are dead if you don't answer on the second ring.
Sometimes we choose a path and don't think to make contact before losing reception for a week.

Plus I like gadgets. We have an epirb but ironically can't find it.

While looking at Spot stuff I found this website.
Www.spotwalla.com
It was actually on this forum.

You can link your Spot tracker to it. You can also link other trackers.
However what interests me with it is you can also link an android device.

With android it uploads your position etc as you go if you have reception or stores it and uploads it in bursts as you gain/lose it.

Originally Posted by Utemad

We have an epirb but ironically can't find it.

Gold!