[pct-l] Emergency Spot GPS vs. PLB devices
Miles Brandon
milesbrandon66 at gmail.com
Wed Apr 1 14:31:28 CDT 2009
This may be useful
Emergency 911 / “I’m OK” devices
SPOT vs. PLB (There are several important differences in the two Emergency
911 GPS devices.
Weight: Spot>7.3 oz (209 grams) PLB>12 oz. (340 Grams)
Send for 911 Spot>Yes PLB>Yes
Send “I’m Ok” Spot>Yes PLB>No
Ask Help (friends) Spot>Yes PLB>No
Floats on Water Spot>Yes PLB>Yes
SPOT GPS Specs Link:
http://www.findmespot.com/en/downloads/SPOT_Product_Specifications_2007_11_2
1.pdf
PLB (Terrafix) Specs link:
http://www.acrelectronics.com/terrafix/terrafixspec.pdf
Here is my personal reasoning why I WILL be carrying a SPOT GPS device. I
don’t wish to be “on a lease” or be dependent on technology. However, I
asked myself: Is my life worth $248 dollars? ($149 for SPOT device +$99 for
Annual subscription). Is carrying an extra 7 oz. (less than ½ pound) worth
it if I could help save a fellow hiker’s life (or my own!) in remote area
where life hangs in the balance? Obvious answer for me: Yes. It’s cheap
insurance. And It’s awesome when you add in the capability to 1) send a
specific (Help or “Send next Resupply Box”) message to your Home Base (the
msg is set up before PCT) or 2) just send the occasional / weekly “I’m OK”
and Link to location on Google Maps or, 3) send for 911 help. But I like
the purist’s ultra-light reasoning: Carry Only Absolutely Essential
equipment to get to Canada! I struggled with this decision – It’s an
individual choice.
Miles Brandon
(818) 486-4492
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