[pct-l] spot

[Steve McAllister]

I didn't mean to come off as rigid.
I will probably get me a Spot soon myself.

I think it is great for it's intended use, but there are many things
that set it apart from a PLB and search and rescue experts agree.

A PLB isn't of much use for anything but extreme emergencies. A Spot
has many more useful features.

The Spot has saved many a person, but a PLB provides more reliable and
quicker results. The times you'll need to be rescued are often times
when speed is of the essence.

I believe carrying a PLB is overkill for most types of hiking. But
more dangerous/extreme activities warrant a PLB.

I don't intentionally get myself into the dangerous situations that my
friends do so I don't carry a PLB.


On Sat, Dec 5, 2009 at 2:56 PM,  <canoeman at qnet.com> wrote:
> I'm sorry, but I just dont agree with your rigid  position on the spot.
> I've used it  for a couple years and it has always worked for me. even the
> forest service test showed it does work. the percentage of missed signals is
> very, very, very   small.
> but left on long enough, even in heavy canopy, the signal gets through. the key
> is the orientation of the device. it must face up towards the sky on its back.
> I put mine in the  pack top mesh pocket, it works great.
>
> the thing that makes the spot better then a PLB, for hiking, is that it gives
> you  the options to avoid pulling the pin and calling in the cavalry, by having
> four message options now. it also has a new set of led's that confirm gps lock
> signal and message transmission complete
> the new version I picked up last week, has a fourth message option, which can
> be used for what ever you want it to. you have 911, help, ok, tracking, and
> another custom message you can also program it to be what ever you want it to
> be. the fourth could be used for trail head pick up  etc.
> the new model has covers over the 911 button and the help buttons to eliminate
> false alarms. it also has an improved gps antenna. I just find this tool too
> useful to call useless.
> If I was going somewhere like out on the ocean, where a  life or death
> emergency, was the only option, A PLB would be better, but the spot is just too
> useful to blow off as useless. It definitely has a place in hiker safety
>
>
>
> he said
>
> That hiker would not have recommended the Spot. The Spot is not a PLB
> replacement and wouldn't have saved his arm as the Spot needs be in
> open the to work. He was wedged in rocks so the signal probably
> wouldn't have reached the satellites. Even trees can block the Spot's
> signal.
>
>
> ean
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