[pct-l] PLB vs SPOT

[Austin Williams]

I carry a SPOT for my family, but I think it *is* a safety device.  Of
course it won't stop you from making stupid decisions (no safety device
will). But any device that is able to dispatch S&R to your location (with a
high probability of success) in the event that you become lost and/or
seriously injured is a safety device IMO.

If Chris Mccandless had a SPOT there'd be no "Into the Wild."

Pretty much anyone who had gotten lost and/or badly injured in the
wilderness and eventually died would have considered the SPOT a safety
device... and would probably have wished they had one.  Of course, we could
say the same thing about a satellite phone.

That being said - I don't think I'd carry a SPOT if my family didn't
worry... at least not on the PCT.  Hiking the PCT is about as dangerous as
walking in Suburbia (IMO).... In fact, suburbia might be more dangerous with
all the moving vehicles.

-Austin

On Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 2:52 PM, Paul Magnanti <pmags at yahoo.com> wrote:

> An evenhanded review of these devices:
>
>
> http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=25569
>
> And more info than you ever wanted to know:
>
> http://www.google.com/search?q=plb+vs+spot&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
>
> As others mentioned, they are doing a recall the Gen 2 SPOTS (that fixed
> the issues in Gen1)
>
> A SPOT device is more for family and friends than for actual safety. It is
> what I call a "Dumbo Feather"..
> something that is not really needed (in this case, to be safe), but does
> provide the perception of safety.
> It is not needed and may even contribute to people getting into unsafe
> situations because
> of this perceived safety.
>
> It if is what you need to make your family/friends feel safe, then it is
> not a bad thing.
>
>  Just makesure you have the skills, knowledge and experience to make use of
> a sub-10lb kit, know how to use
> your tarp, when to not go further, etc in addition to carrying this
> automagical devices. (cf. the young woman in
> the Sierra last year).  :)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  ************************************************************
> The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust
> caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
> --Thoreau
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-- 
Austin Williams
PlanYourHike.com

"The mountains are calling and I must go."   -John Muir