My 5 year old ACR PLB was due for a battery replacement so I bought a McMurdo Fastfind on sale for $200. If REI's recent 30% coupon had come along at the right time I could have purchased it for $140.

So my strategy is to keep my costs low and replace it in 5 years or sooner with a better model. The Mcmurdo is less than half the weight and half the cost of the ACR PLB I bought 5 years ago so, so far, the strategy is working.

Anyone know of a use for my 5 year old ACR PLB which is now in need of a new battery? The new battery costs about $200.

Maybe donation to the Boy Scouts of America?

One of the things I don't hear discussed is the fact that a PLB has a much stronger signal and is more likely to get a signal out. Also, there are a lot more satellites in the PLB network than in the network that a SPOT uses, which means that there is a better chance of your signal being detected. Also, SPOT is a private company whereas a PLB is run by an international consortium of governments (US, Russia, etc.). SPOT might not be here in 2 years, but a PLB is pretty much here to stay. A SPOT must get a GPS lock in order for your position to be determined. A PLB can use doppler-shift to determine your position. Lastly, a PLB has a built in homing beacon that operates on a secondary frequency (121.5 MHz). As SAR approaches your position, they can use the secondary frequency to zero in on you.

SPOT of course has all the nice levels of messaging. Can't beat the SPOT for non-emergency use.

HJ

One of the things I don't hear discussed is the fact that a PLB has a much stronger signal and is more likely to get a signal out."

The reliability of getting a signal _received_ is based on a lot more than just the signal strength.

"Lastly, a PLB has a built in homing beacon that operates on a secondary frequency (121.5 MHz). As SAR approaches your position, they can use the secondary frequency to zero in on you."

If you are not able to move, then the GPS coordinates that were sent out will be the same as the current coordinates when SAR approaches, so there isn't much gained by the 121.5 beacon. If you are moving, then the coordinates that were sent out may be different from the current coordiates when SAR approaches, in which case they may detect the beacon moving away from the coordinates. I wonder if SAR is supposed to go after the coordinates or go after the beacon? I picture the scenario where you abandon a sinking ship as you activate the PLB, and then the PLB is washed away from you.

--B.G.--

John,

BSA might work. They could then hit up a battery installer for a free battery.

Thanks,

Daryl

If you're stuck in a brushy ravine and cannot be seen from overhead, I for one would like to have that homing beacon pinging away.

HJ

"If you're stuck in a brushy ravine and cannot be seen from overhead..."

If your position is that bad, the GPS receiver may not be able to see enough satellites to get a position fix, so any of these products will fail.

--B.G.--

I have a spot and I have no problem at all. I have had one for the last 3 years. The first 1.5 years, signals were horrible but they now improved the satellite reception and I can send messages every 10-20 min using the track mode. It almost never misses one. Very reliable.

Noel, are you saying that the GPS receiver function had poor sensitivity for the first 1.5 years?

Geographically, where do you operate?

--B.G.--

Yes, I had problem with the tracking. It would maybe track once every hour or so... Now it does it about 4-6 times every hour. Very noticeable different, they probably increase their satellite capabilities or something...

Sending OK and Help/911 messages (never tried) is not hard to do since I can just let it sit when I set my tent and it will stop flashing when it has sent the message.

I operate in the northwest. Usually in very forrested area...

Edited by akatsuki_the_devil on 07/28/2011 13:09:17 MDT.

Not Sure this is Covered I only read through first couple post.

The $100 a year for spot is only if you register it.

You can buy the device and use it for an emergency and they will come looking for you, with out a registration. The registration provides additional benefits like being able to notify your contacts you got your self into a pickle and use the other features "Ok Button" "Custom etc.

The Panic button will still work with out registration and I believe that if you register once they will have your name attached to that device so if used after your registration expires your info will still be with them. Don't quote me but I believe this is the case.

So the cost of a spot could be a one time $150, features will be limited but the ultimate use of getting out of a emergency situation is still available (Well at least a chance to get out)

Other thing about Spot if you are registered and you push the button for someone that is not you, or some besides you pushes the button they will charge $17,000 to that person.

Some where in the fine print I read this over a year and a half ago. Not sure if it is current info or 100% accurate but read the fine print. You could be purchasing SPOT for a group trip and thinking it is ok to use if anyone get hurt, it is, you will just have to pay.

"If you're stuck in a brushy ravine and cannot be seen from overhead..."

If your position is that bad, the GPS receiver may not be able to see enough satellites to get a position fix, so any of these products will fail.

"Young Colorado Climber Killed on Little Bear Peak"
http://climbing.about.com/b/2010/06/16/young-colorado-climber-killed-on-little-bear-peak.htm