[pct-l] SPOT messenger vs McMurdo PLB

[Edward Anderson]

Toby,
With the SPOT you are not obligated to even use the OK button. Just don't press 
it. It's the 911 button that can save your life - or someone else's if you come 
upon a seriously injured hiker who needs rescue, but wasn't wise enough to pack 
a signaling device. But, use the OK button if you have loved ones who would want 
to know your location and that you are OK, then use it. It was great that my 
wife, and nine other members of my "team" could actually see a picture of my 
location on Google every night when I checked in.
MendoRider




________________________________
From: Toby Maxwell <tmm19 at geneseo.edu>
To: Paul Robison <paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com>
Cc: Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com>; "pct-l at backcountry.net" 
<pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Sun, March 27, 2011 9:03:57 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] SPOT messenger vs McMurdo PLB

Hmmm, seems like while they are definitely different tools, I may be inclined to 
go the PLB route.  I think there's probably a lot of reasons to go either way, 
but I kind of like that I will not be obligated to check in all of the time.  I 
was initially reluctant to consider carrying either of these because of trying 
to avoid technology on the trail.   It seems to me that one of the largest perks 
of the PLB is that there is no subscription ever which makes it the sort of 
thing that will get continually brought on backcountry adventures as opposed to 
the SPOT which could become useless if my wallet is feeling a little too 
ultralight.  thanks for the great advice! 


-Toby


On Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 9:07 PM, Paul Robison <paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com> wrote:

My spot has only failed to send one message and it was in a moving car.  It told 
me immediately that it failed to send.
>
>Also I use the tracks and used it rim to rim on the grand canyon never lost 
>service.
>
>It's not as good for rescue as a 'real plb' ... But it's 100 times better than 
>nothing.  Anywhere the pct is,  I feel it would suffice,  when combined with 
>effective back country skills,  and a knowledge of good signal techniques when 
>they get close; you'll be fine...
>
>My humble opine...
>
>Sent from my iPod
>
>
>On 2011-03-26, at 8:37 PM, Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi Toby,
>> I was completely satisfied with my SPOT. During over five months on the PCT 
>all
>> of my OK messages got through,  That gave my wife real peace of mind. I sent 
a
>> message from every location - one every day when I got to camp.
>> MendoRider
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Toby Maxwell <tmm19 at geneseo.edu>
>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Sent: Sat, March 26, 2011 2:30:05 PM
>> Subject: [pct-l] SPOT messenger vs McMurdo PLB
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>>
>>
>> I was curious if anybody has used this 'McMurdo' Personal Location Becon
>> (PLB) device.  After doing some research on the SPOT messenger, it seems
>> there are some mediocre reviews and that, while it has more features, the
>> subscription may be a pain and that people have experienced issues with it
>> getting signal etc.  This PLB does not require a subscription, but is a
>> little less fancy, and according to some, much more reliable.  If anybody
>> has experience with either, it'd be great to hear about, it'll also no doubt
>> make my mom a happier person...  thanks!
>>
>> heres links to both;
>> McMurdo:http://www.rei.com/product/791972
>> SPOT:
>>http://www.amazon.com/SPOT-Satellite-Messenger-Orange-Black/dp/B002PHRDO2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1301174788&sr=8-2
>>2
>>
>>
>> thanks,
>>
>>
>> -Toby
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