Personal Locator Beacon (For on-land emergencies)

[aigel]

Do any of you own one of these? I am talking about a device that can send out an emergency call via satellite and can guide a rescue team to you in case you are in the boonies and the SHTF. Please let me know what you have and what your experiences are with these devices.

Not interested in a satelite texting device or similar where you can send your coordinates to your wife etc., just something for worst case life threatening emergencies.

Thanks,

George

[HHI944]

Breitling makes a watch with the feature built-in. They can usually be had for around $5k.

[porsche4life]

There are several on REI, they run around $500. I hear that you should stay away from the SPOT



Or, you could use common sense, not act like a jackass in the outdoors, and kick it old school....

[Rick Lee]

I think those Breitling Emergencies come with some paperwork or a disclosure telling you you're really on the hook for the cost of coming to rescue you. There were some idiots in northern AZ last summer who used their locator to call for help because they had run out of water and were afraid to drink from the stream they were near. I hope it cost them a bundle.

[HHI944]

Yeah, you are on the hook for the costs, but at the end of the day, you'll be on the hook for it most of the time with misuse of any beacon. There have been a rash of idiots like that and it costs a pretty good chunk of $$$ to put a chopper in the air on that little notice.

Bear Grylls wears a Breitling Emergency.

[9dreizig]

You can get pretty cheap rescue insurance from a number of places

[Joeaksa]

I have one of the Breitling EPERB watches and its nice but heavy as can be and big too boot.

Most of my flying friends use the SPOT emergency beacon. Have had one for a while and hope I never need to push the button but if I do its there and at least someone will come.

[teenerted1]

avalanche beacon if in back-country otherwise just keep the cell phone charged.

[9dreizig]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

avalanche beacon if in back-country otherwise just keep the cell phone charged.

Actually unless you are with someone who also has a beacon and can dig your body out it won't do you any good. I won't go backcountry with anyone I am not certain knows how to use a beacon and I could trust to locate me and dig me out.
I usually rent SAT phones when hunting in the remote regions of AK, they work great!!

[James Brown]

Originally Posted by HHI944

Breitling makes a watch with the feature built-in. They can usually be had for around $5k.

There transmit frequency, 121.5, is no longer monitored by the faa and sarsat. Most commercial aircraft do monitor this but they have no duty to act if they hear one going off. So there might be a delay in getting found by having this watch. A better solution is a 406mhz EPIRB by ACR it transmits your position to a SAR satellite from anywhere in the world. And around $400 bucks. No yearly fee like the Spot unit.

[aigel]

The satellite phones are too expensive. A PLB would be a one time purchase and require no upkeep. Looks like the more expensive ACR units get the best reviews. Anyone have one?

Thanks!

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by James Brown

There transmit frequency, 121.5, is no longer monitored by the faa and sarsat. Most commercial aircraft do monitor this but they have no duty to act if they hear one going off. So there might be a delay in getting found by having this watch. A better solution is a 406mhz EPIRB by ACR it transmits your position to a SAR satellite from anywhere in the world. And around $400 bucks. No yearly fee like the Spot unit.

Sorry but more and more the 406 units are not turning out to be reliable.

Look at Sen. Stevens crash in Alaska last year where the plane went down and the ELT did not activate. My copilot is a light bird in the CAP and he does searches all the time looking for downed airplanes. He says "when they work" the 406 is an excellent tool but they are not ready for prime time just yet.

We have a 406 ELT in the bird we fly for a living but also have a SPOT EPRB. We want to be found if there is a problem. We are not betting our lives on the 406 unit.

[aigel]

Update:

The ARC units are down to $250 now. Going to pull the trigger for hunting season. The reviews are overall good. Not so at all with the Spot unit. Best would be to have both, probably.

I am very careful in the woods and don't look at such a unit as a substitute for coming prepared. It will be good to have as a last resort in case of serious life threatening injury or health issues.

Cheers,

G

[porsche4life]

No, they don't.


G, have you checked out the Delorme equivalent to the spot. You can BT it with your phone and send out texts as well. I haven't seen any reviews, but it looked pretty slick in the info I saw.

[widgeon13]

I know a fellow using one of these flying in Alaska, works well.

SPOT SATELLITE MESSENGER :: HOME PAGE

[RWebb]

every party should be able to effect a self evacuation - that has worked for me over the last several decades

[creaturecat]

my spot works great. communicates my location perfectly every time.
I have not had to rely upon it, for emergency purposes.
I have used it for 2 years, no issues whatsoever.

[MT930]

Most pilots here have at least the spot device, they work and are cheap.

SAT phones are worth it if you ever run out of Steaks, Ice Cream or Whiskey in the Back Country.

They are darn handy for ordering tail wheel parts in the middle of the Idaho wilderness as well.