Personal Locator Beacons (PLB's)

[Cowper]

DeBo and I have been riding our luck and going solo in the woods too often for some time now, but after reading the search and rescue thread over on the General forum http://www.arkansascanoeclub.com/mb/vie ... 284#p92284" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; , I’ve decided to bite the bullet and get a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon). I’m going to share some of my research here, but if others have looked into it, I’d sure like to hear what you know too.

This is still a relatively new technology for land-based use; while checking references I learned that PLB’s have only been legal in the continental US since mid 2003. And it looks like prices and sizes have both gotten smaller in the last 12 months or so. Here’s my two current front-runners:

Spot (two models). Their newest one is in the 5 oz range.
http://www.findmespot.com/en/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Advantages: Can send “non-emergency” messages showing friends your current location, or to summon “non-emergency” help from your friends without having to scramble the local rescue squads. You can push a different button if you desire immediate emergency rescue. If you send the “current location” messages several times per day, then even if you were injured to the point of being unconscious, and never sent for help, there would still be a good chance rescuers could quickly home in on your last known location, and find you much more quickly than if they had to search a larger area. The first generation unit is slightly bigger and heavier, but still only 7.4 oz, and prices on the first generation unit are now under $100. Both Spot units have user replaceable batteries.

Disadvantages: User fee of about $100 / year, or more with premium service features, offsets the relatively low initial purchase price. Doesn’t broadcast on the same government-provided rescue frequencies as the other PLB’s; won’t allow rescuers to find you by radio beacon for those cases where a GPS fix cannot be obtained, apparently uses a privately run “dispatch” service instead of the government-monitored frequencies.

Another option is to go with a PLB that transmits on the 406 and 121.5 MHz frequencies. Until recently, these seemed to be priced at about $600 and up, but I found one that comes from what seems to be a reputable company, and is available from several dealers for under $300:

http://www.fastfindplb.com/en/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Advantages: Signal has 5 watts of power (compared to 0.4 watts for the Spot), Use of the 406 and 121.5 MHz frequencies is a real technical advantage in emergencies; even if the GPS can’t get a fix due to heavy cover or deep valley location, the beacons still summon help and can lead a properly equipped team to home in on your radio beacon. Cost over the 5 year life will be less than the Spot. Small size, 1.34” X 1.85” X 4.17”, weighs 5.3 oz.

Disadvantages: Should only be activated for "life threatening" emergencies (you could be fined for "crying wolf"). Only functions as a “true emergency” device, can’t use it to send those “I’m here now” updates to your friends, or to request that friends come help you on a “non-emergency” basis. At the end of 5 years, have to send it to the factory for battery replacement. This particular model doesn’t float, but some others do.

Other units to consider: My limited research suggests that units by ACR may be to PLB’s what Garmin is to GPS units. Their Terrafix 406 is about $360, and floats. But it weighs more and is bigger than the other units above. I’m guessing that ACR may come out with some additional units in the near future to stay competitive.

[DMG]

Thanks for this primer and keep us posted on what you decide. I had the same idea and found the SPOT website instantly after reading about the Devil's Fork rescue. I've been doing some rappelling by myself lately and could see myself bike-shuttling easier rivers by myself. My solution up till now has been leave my wife an email with a link to a map of exactly where I was going to park. That way she could read the coordinates to the authorities without having to describe the location. She also knows that I carry red marker tape in my pocket or PFD to mark where I leave the trail/river or at the top of wherever I'm rappelling. I clean the tape when I hike out.

Tom Burroughs shared a good idea at a NW chapter meeting. He will have his wife wait till the afternoon after a creek run to call in a rescue. That way, he's not feeling pressure to run something because he's afraid of her triggering a premature rescue. I like this idea when moving with a team, but for solo stuff, I'm not sure. It sounds like the gentleman at Devil's Fork would have been in much worse condition if the rescue had begun the afternoon after the fall instead of right afterwards when it did, possibly as bad a condition as one can be in. For solo adventures, a PLB seems like a pretty good idea. If I was Ed Cooley, I think I'd have mine bronzed!

Good stuff! Keep us posted on what you choose and why. It might help me decide what I want.

~Dave

[Cowper]

Found a little more -

On the Spot, only a few websites even show their latest model, but it is only about $50 more than their first generation model, and boasts an enhanced GPS receiver. If I go with the Spot, I'll spring for this because getting a GPS fix is critical to the process, and I've seen the dramatic differences between first and second generation units on other types of GPS devices.

Also, with the Spot, for $8 more per year, you can add an insurance policy for reimbursing the costs of a rescue "not already covered". Does anybody know how much is provided as a "public service" like police coverage, and how often you will receive a bill from the folks who had to come to your rescue???

[MikeBeebe]

I've owned a SPOT for two years now and fortunately have not needed its emergency 911. One of the things that has not been mentioned regarding SPOT is that it also allows someone with internet to track you "live" as well as giving you a "trip locator" map after you return home. The extrication insurance fee is cheap money if you're laying out there hurt in a life threatening situation. I have been extremely pleased with my SPOT and have even used it traveling down the road by just laying it on the dashboard of my vehicle. To my knowledge, the other PLB's on the market do not offer what SPOT brings to the table. Finally SPOT seems to be really agressive in rolling out new ideas and ways to use their system. You can bet that SPOT has a friend and customer for life in Ed Cooley. I wish him well and offer thanks to all those that participated in his rescue.

[Clif]

This discussion also happened on THE ORIGINAL THREAD. Thought I would connect the 2.

[Jeremy M]

Got mine today...The discussion on the main board, definitely got me thinking.

Should be in stock in a few weeks as well.

[johned]

Was browsing Cabelas and saw that there is a rebate on the SPOT unit.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/conte ... 123109.pdf

Have to sign up for the service, but I think it elimates the purchase price.

[Cowper]

My (DeBo's) FastFind 210 PLB should arrive tomorrow. Yes, Spot brings a lot to the table, but after weighing the pros and cons, I decided the FastFind was the right answer for us. I lose some of the features of the Spot that are good for non-emergency uses, but I think the Fastfind has the edge for the "emergency only" applications, and my cost for 5 years will be lower since there is no annual service fee.

For those leaning toward the Spot - note they now have two models. The one with the rebates is their "first generation" model; based on their advertisements, the "second generation" model is smaller and has a more sensitive GPS receiver. That could be important in some situations, and might be worth the extra money to some folks.

ALSO - Those near Central Arkansas should come to the Chapter meeting on Tuesday. If you own a Spot or other PLB, bring it to the meeting - the Program is a brief talk about PLB's and the more models we have for "show and tell" the better.

[RomanLA]

I have the first generation SPOT. I got a chance to talk to a SPOT rep at West Marine the other day. He said the new model works a lot better. With the first generation you had to have a clear view of the sky. He said he has had success using the second generation indoors. There will be an option for current users to upgrade with a rebate soon. You can also give your old SPOT to a friend and you get another rebate when they sign up for service. This essentially let's you get the new SPOT free.

[Cowper]

I got a chance to talk to a SPOT rep at West Marine the other day. He said the new model works a lot better. With the first generation you had to have a clear view of the sky. He said he has had success using the second generation indoors. There will be an option for current users to upgrade with a rebate soon.

That's good input. I was happy to learn from Jeremy that the Spots he is getting at OOO will be these newer second generation units. Coogan has a first generation unit, and reported at our Central Chapter meeting that he has been less than satisfied with its ability to work under tree cover.

[Carroll Birge]

Here is some good info also to consider:

http://www.jems.com/news_and_articles/n ... cuers.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Cowper]

Carroll,
I think there has been a huge debate over these devices in the SAR community; that is the main reason they were illegal until 2003. But there are trade-offs; SAR folks are already getting cell phone calls from people begging for help, that don't even know where they are located. At least with a PLB you can go straight to the person without wasting resource searching the entire national forest. On the other hand, with a cell phone, you may know the person is only lost, not injured, so the response team can take their time and not risk injury with a night search or other extraordinary measures to reach the "victim" quickly.

This is the one place where I think the SPOT has a clear advantage; that "I'm OK" message, or "send me non-emergency help" option should reduce the burden on SAR teams caused when concerned families activate "rescues" for those that are not truly in trouble.

People just need to understand, the PLB is a 911 call. You don't use that number to report that the power is out and you need a hot shower.

[Carroll Birge]

Cowper,
Not trying to be anti PLB here. In fact, I am considering buying one myself. Just thought the info contained in the link above could be useful if read with an open mind.

[David Mac]

I think the addendum at the end about a $500 fee for every activation isn't a bad idea, although I'd like the rescue agencies to have the athourity to waive the fee if they think it was a need for help beyond the control of the rescuee.

David

[Cowper]

Cowper,
Not trying to be anti PLB here. In fact, I am considering buying one myself. Just thought the info contained in the link above could be useful if read with an open mind.

Huh? Did you think I was taking it negatively? I wasn't! I agree with you that the article raises good points - PLB use is not to be taken lightly, nor should we use one as an excuse for taking chances we wouldn't otherwise take...