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NEW PRODUCT- "SPOT" IS A PERSONAL SATELLITE MESSENGER. LIGHTER-CHEAPER THAN A SATELLITE PHONE OR EPERB.

JUST OUT-THIS IS THE FIRST GENERATION AND I'M SURE THEY WILL GET EVEN BETTER. i'VE TESTED IT AND VERY HAPPY SO FAR. IT WORKS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUPERSTITIONS-FAR AWAY FROM CELL SIGNALS. BESIDES CALLING FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE YOU CAN ALERT AS MANY AS FIVE PHONES VIA TEXT MESSAGE, AND OR COMPUTERS THAT YOU ARE OK AND IT SENDS A MESSAGE WITH YOUR CURRENT GPS COORDINATES AND A LINK TO GOOGLE EARTH WHICH SHOWS EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE AT. I HIKE ALONE OFTEN SO THIS ASSURES ME AND OTHERS.

A deal on SPOT's

http://www.findmespot.com/50reasons/

SPOT is giving current subscribers a rebate for the purchase price of the device ($120) if you buy the service plus tracking ($150). Good till the 26th. If you're thinking of getting one, this is about as good a deal as I've seen. I'm getting my son one.
http://www.findmespot.com/shop/index.ph ... lackfriday

Thanks! ...do I understand correctly: the battery has to be replaced by the factory... effectively making it a one time use item?

imike wrote:Thanks! ...do I understand correctly: the battery has to be replaced by the factory... effectively making it a one time use item?

No, it takes AAA batteries that appear to last about forever. It only uses power when sending, and flashing a tiny light when it's turned on. Picked it up at REI this morning for $79, which doesn't really matter because they will rebate the cost of the item, but it did add to my REI rebate.

Wife has again experessed interest in being able to keep track of my whereabouts. (And not just when I am in town ... ;) ) I was wondering what opinions are on the advantages and disadvantages of a SPOT v. PLB?

I found this link : http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ ... acons.html

There's another one that Sun_Hiker uses, but I forget what it's called. I seem to recall the unit is fairly expensive, about $400, it calls your local SAR, and it has no yearly fee. She seemed to think it is much more reliable than a SPOT. I'll ask her.

I've used a SPOT for three years and have not had any issues with my wife not receiving my message. Im currently receiving a daily message from a friend who is on a solo 19 day JM Trail hike in the high Sierra's. She is on day 8 and I've received her message each day.

Re: SPOT vs PLB

This forum thread issued in late Dec'10 includes still pertinent HAZ member comments and posted links related to this subject:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=5752&p=64896&hilit=plb#p64896

I did hear back from Sun_Hiker who said this: "Its an ACR gps personal locator beacon. It goes directly to SAR whereas Spot has to go through a third party and has expensive yearly fees."

Seems like PLBs require activation. Which assumes one is in condition to activate it. Is that also true of SPOT?

kingsnake wrote:Is that also true of SPOT?

In an emergency the Spot unit has to be activated just like the PLB. I have a ACR PLB and it has been wonderful. It cost more up front to buy but I have more peace of mind knowing it will get the signal out no matter what. I do have the ability to send out "I'm okay" messages which keeps my wife happy. I've been able to send out message in slot canyons and other limited coverages areas where the spot just won't work. If I have an issue, I don't want to have to hike up to the top of a mountain to get a signal out.

I know the SPOT works really well for some of my friends but for me the ACR was the right way to go.

Just something else to consider....http://www.inreachdelorme.com/ ;)

Speaking from experience, numerous times -- SPOT absolutely does not work 100% of the time, especially in slot canyons and sometimes even wider canyons. They are awesome to have around, but can never be completely depended on.

Not sure how long it's has been out but I just saw the SPOT satellite phone at REI today:

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=122

I ended up getting an ACR ResQLink PLB for $280 at the Paradise Valley REI. Just registered it online at http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov , which was free. (Anybody else think the NOAA in general does good work?) Form was easy to use, other than having to use a 12-character password. What a pain.

Okay, I'm way too lazy to do any research and I have a question. I have heard the ACR alerts SAR. Does it know which SAR to alert? I hike all over the state, after all, and in other states sometimes. Does it have to be reset, or does it just call the right one all by itself?

azbackpackr wrote:Okay, I'm way too lazy to do any research and I have a question. I have heard the ACR alerts SAR. Does it know which SAR to alert? I hike all over the state, after all, and in other states sometimes. Does it have to be reset, or does it just call the right one all by itself?

The SARSAT system uses NOAA satellites in low-earth and geostationary orbits to detect and locate aviators, mariners, and land-based users in distress. The satellites relay distress signals from emergency beacons to a network of ground stations and ultimately to the U.S. Mission Control Center (USMCC) in Suitland, Maryland. The USMCC processes the distress signal and alerts the appropriate search and rescue authorities to who is in distress and, more importantly, where they are located.

http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov

The key is to register it, because that way they know which unit is sending the signal. (Assuming you don't loan it out, and your SO doesn't borrow it, they know exactly who is requesting rescue.)

Muchas gracias!

The latest technology can be wonderful but we still need to remember the best technology can break down, or in this case with a SPOT beacon, it can be foiled:

"The group activated their SPOT emergency beacon, but the signal apparently could not make it out of the deep, narrow canyon to hit a satellite."

An excerpt from the SAR report from the rescue last August in Insomnia Canyon.