Hi All,
we were planning on picking up a Mcmurdo Fastfind, but wondered if it's worth waiting for something newer to come out. Does anyone know of any new PLBs in the pipeline?

The Fastfind costs $570Aus, so we are quite happy to wait of there's something better on the way:)

I am holding off on a GPS unit as I think things are changing quickly (I do like map and compass travels anyway).

A requirement of my wife's for solo trips is the SPOT messenger, she likes that I can check in. I am not sure what else the Fastfind does, but the Spot is a lot cheaper. Just my thoughts.

Eric

Haven't heard of any PLB coming down the pike that would be lighter in the immediate future.

In response to the post about SPOT, I'm not sure at all that the SPOT is cheaper overall than a FastFind. The FastFind has no subscription fee.

HJ

Thankyou both. Just wanted to make sure the fastfind wouldn't be superseded the moment I got it!

I think you should think about your needs. Fastfind is subscription free but only appears to offer rapid access to emergency rescue services. Spot is cheaper to buy about $240 plus $110 per year but as well as providing emergency call out, it offers more services such as letting people know where you are without alerting search and rescue. For me, where I want to be able to let my partner know I am OK and where I am, Spot is the better system. If you only want rescue call out then go with the Fastfind.

You should be aware that Australia changed the operating frequency for beacons about 18 months ago so many older beacons, and possibly some sold elsewhere in the world are now illegal to use in Australia (and may not get you rescued!)

Edited by KramRelwof on 11/17/2010 03:24:27 MST.

Fast find isnt totaly free once you bought it.
Some countries requires a fee, from memory it costed me about 50€ to declare it for my hike in Greenland.

Re. "You should be aware that Australia changed the operating frequency for beacons about 18 months ago"

This is true for all, international change. All old PLB's are obsolete.

I think dedicated PLB's and/or satalite phones have their place when you are gonna be in real remote areas.
Otherwise a SPOT and cell phone works for most.

most "serious" people would tell you PLB ... if your chips are down and you cant move PLB is the one to take ... ie a real emergency

you dont want to have to move to a higher ridge so that you have SPOT reception if yr incapacitated ... there are too many stories of the user not having SPOT reception, or not "using" SPOT properly ... IMO an emergency device should be idiot proof

i once asked a SAR person about spot ... he started laughing and said "well which one would you rather have an emergency device that rescue crews know will be an emergency when you trigger it, or one that they see triggered all the time for stupid stuff"

id phone up your local SAR or park rangers and ask which when is better when the chips are down ... and make sure to leave em a donation ;)

Edited by bearbreeder on 11/17/2010 13:04:57 MST.

"i once asked a SAR person about spot ... he started laughing and said "well which one would you rather have an emergency device that rescue crews know will be an emergency when you trigger it, or one that they see triggered all the time for stupid stuff"


So Fastfinds are never activated except in a real emergency while SPOTs are regularly activated for stupid stuff? Interesting. Shoot, I'd go with the Fastfind just knowing it would raise my IQ!

Also, is he implying that SAR does not treat emergency signals from each device equally? I'm hoping that if I send a emergency signal, they won't think "Oh, it's just another idiot SPOT user. Take your time."

Edited by rlnunix on 11/17/2010 14:19:41 MST.

im sure PLBs area activated for stupid stuff as well ... however it wasnt a PLB that was used for the infamous spot grand canyon tripple "rescue" ... lol

what you use is up to you, but i know which one im getting for when the chips are REALLY down ... if i want my friends to keep up on me on twitter or need a sbucks latte ... im sure a SPOT will suffice =P

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/science/earth/22parks.html?_r=2&hp

One of the most frustrating new technologies for the parks to deal with, rangers say, are the personal satellite messaging devices that can send out an emergency signal but are not capable of two-way communication. Globalstar Inc., the manufacturer of SPOT brand devices, says new models allow owners to send a message with the help request.In some cases, said Keith Lober, the ranger in charge of search and rescue at Yosemite National Park in California, the calls “come from people who don’t need the 911 service, but they take the SPOT and at the first sign of trouble, they hit the panic button.”But without two-way communication, the rangers cannot evaluate the seriousness of the call, so they respond as if it were an emergency.Last fall, two men with teenage sons pressed the help button on a device they were carrying as they hiked the challenging backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park. Search and rescue sent a helicopter, but the men declined to board, saying they had activated the device because they were short on water.

http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2009/10/third-time-was-anything-charming-–-spot-misuse-grand-canyon-national-park4790

http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB3/grand-canyon-rescue-third-time-s-the-charm-t49010.html

rand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Hikers Evacuated After Three SPOT Activations In Three Days

On the evening of September 23rd, rangers began a search for hikers who repeatedly activated their rented SPOT satellite tracking device. The GEOS Emergency Response Center in Houston reported that someone in the group of four hikers – two men and their two teenaged sons – had pressed the “help” button on their SPOT unit. The coordinates for the signal placed the group in a remote section of the park, most likely on the challenging Royal Arch loop.

Due to darkness and the remoteness of the location, rangers were unable to reach them via helicopter until the following morning. When found, they’d moved about a mile and a half to a water source. They declined rescue, as they’d activated the device due to their lack of water.

Later that same evening, the same SPOT device was again activated, this time using the “911” button. Coordinates placed them less than a quarter mile from the spot where searchers had found them that morning. Once again, nightfall prevented a response by park helicopter, so an Arizona DPS helicopter whose crew utilized night vision goggles was brought in. They found that the members of the group were concerned about possible dehydration because the water they’d found tasted salty, but no actual emergency existed. The helicopter crew declined their request for a night evacuation, but provided them with water before departing.

On the following morning, another SPOT “help” activation came in from the group. This time they were flown out by park helicopter. All four refused medical assessment or treatment. The group’s leader had reportedly hiked once at the Grand Canyon; the other adult had no Grand Canyon and very little backpacking experience. When asked what they would have done without the SPOT device, the leader stated, “We would have never attempted this hike.” The group leader was issued a citation for creating a hazardous condition (36 CFR 2.34(a)(4)).

Edited by bearbreeder on 11/17/2010 14:28:58 MST.

"if i want my friends to keep up on me on twitter or need a sbucks latte ... im sure a SPOT will suffice =P"

Nice. 2 dismissive posts in a row. Very helpful.

Somebody doing something stupid using some piece of equipment doesn't mean other users of that equipment are also stupid. Aren't you a climber???

Eric, I don't know about you, but I know those stories raise my blood pressure. I just can't figure out how those people can be that stupid and survive the world.

The solution is simple. Make them pay. Helicopter rescues often cost thousands of dollars. Sure, if somebody fell off a trail and broke a leg, they will get rescued and they will be glad to pay the thousands. If somebody activated their PLB because the water tasted salty, then they may learn an expensive lesson. It's all just silly!

--B.G.--

Think about the guy that kept repeatedly setting off his PLB because he thought it was an avalanche beacon. So he turned it on every time he crossed a possible avalanche area.

If as many people carried PLBs as SPOTS, there would be just as many false PLB alarms. It is the dummies that misuse these devices, not the type of device that causes false alarms.

As I stated before, PLBs are really meant for wilderness. Most people believe it is overkill otherwise.

which is why id much rather have a PLB ... i would normally not post this ... but since you asked about me being a climber and SPOT ...

http://www.14ers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=25206

Today me and Kevin8020 were hiking the hourglass just shy of the summit of Little Bear Peak. The hourglass was completely iced over and was unpassible, we decided to take a ledge on the left side of the hourglass and decided to wait and see if the sun would help melt anything out. 30 seconds after this decision was made, Kevin's hand/foothold (i could not see all of him) broke lose and he fell several hundred yards down the mountain..

When i got to him he was breathing heavily and both him arms looked broken, both of our spot trackers malfunctioned at a terrible time. I waited 30 minutes by chance that the distress signal did go out, tried to comfort Kevin, and after no response from either Kevin or SaR. I made the hardest decision of my life and had to hike out, leaving my partner behind.

I hiked from just below the summit to the car parked on lake como road not far in at all, 1.4 miles. In just under 3 hours. Then did everything in my power to get to Alamosa and get contact with Sar, within thirty minutes they were contacting me and i provided everything i could. It's now been over 6 hours since i left him and there is one chopper team and one foot team on the way to Kevin.

PLEASE, keep Kevin in your thoughts and prayers.

Edited by bearbreeder on 11/17/2010 14:47:04 MST.

I'm not debating which is better. I didn't care for the negative remarks about SPOT users and your dismissive comments. The climbing reference was to the fact that people do stupid stuff while using climbing equipment but that does not make climbers stupid. Same with SPOT users.

randy ... i dont really care ;)

its called spot MESSENGER for a reason ... not the spot emergency locator beacon

what you use is up to you ... like i said i know which want id want when the chips are down ... nor do i need people to track me on twitter ...

I expected as much. BTW, there's no indication that the SPOTs malfunctioned in that incident. They had lost satellite contact. Would a PLB have worked better? Maybe. Would it have saved him? Hard to say since the chopper crashed.

no one knows whether a PLB would have saved him ... but an ACR PLB is 5 watts vs. 400miliw i believe for SPOT ... remember that the satellite is 22000 miles away

Spot used 1.6 ghz, PLBs 406 mhz ... the lower the freq the less small little incidental things like trees affect it ...

plbs have 3 ways for SAR detection ... the 406 with doppler shift, the GPS data, and a 121 mhz homing at close range ... spots have only the satellite GPS, if it fails yr screwed

SPOT works great as a personal "hey im here" as long as it can reach out ... add in forest cover, mountain ridges, incapacitation, etc...

i know which one im picking for RESCUE situations in the well forested BC wilderness ... what you use is up to you

courtesy of the USDA 2008 ...

Edited by bearbreeder on 11/17/2010 15:39:57 MST.

There needs to be a clarification here so that we are not comparing apples and oranges. All of these beacons and trackers use GPS first to establish a position fix. The GPS downlink frequency is about 1.57GHz, and those satellites are all military. These are the so-called NAVSTAR satellites that are up about half of the geostationary orbital altitide, so they appear across the sky for an hour or so at a time, but there are dozens of them, so GPS positioning tends to be very reliable. At worst, if you are buried down under wet vegetation, it is possible for the GPS downlink signal to be blocked. Once your beacon or tracker knows its position, then it can be switched to transmit a distress message or routine message. The uplink is about 406Mhz, and that goes up to Low Earth Orbit satellites called Globalstar. They are low and will transit any location very quickly, but they are "coming and going." Some devices also have a short-range homing beacon for when a search plane is actually coming across your horizon. GPS is free to users. Globalstar is a commercial outfit, so subscribers pay usage fees.

--B.G.--

The choice for a SPOT or PLB really depends on how great a risk you want to take and for what purpose. I’ve only carried a PLB in Greenland and the Canadian high arctic, and that before the advent of SPOT and inexpensive satellite phones.

In the high arctic, we told our clients that a PLB activation would result in an expensive call-out of the Canadian military or rescue teams, and that their cut would be $10,000. We also told them to only push the button if both of us were dead or dying.

Since then, I have purchased and carried a satellite phone that worked some of the time, and have a SOT that certainly gives me the level of security I desire for the places we hike and kayak in Southeast Alaska. Unlike Greenland or the high arctic, here we are only a day or so paddle away from a cell tower and more likely to be able to signal aircraft or a vessel. A 2m handheld also provides an additional degree of security if carried and used.



I bought a satellite phone because my new mother-in-law was nervous about her daughter kayaking 400 miles. 8 years later we bought the SPOT to save battery power on the sat phone ( my mother-in-law is a talker!) I sometimes feel sheepish sending the SPOT signal when we are only a couple of days out of Juneau, but I know that the OK message means a lot to her, not to mention the challenge it is to our friends who see how far we have moved in a day. On the other hand, my friends Erin and Hig carried neither on their 4,000 mile walk from Seattle to False Pass. They waited until they arrived at the next village to send email.

It seems the debate in these forums between the SPOT and PLB often comes across as to who is tougher/cooler. Stupid people use SPOT, cool people carry the expensive PLB. Day hikers carry SPOT, explorer’s carry a PLB. I think people who spend time outdoors make conscious decisions about what level of risk they are prepared to assume, and then make philosophic or economic decisions about what they want to do to manage that risk.

Well said, Joseph.

What's curious in the USDA test results is that the check-in and help functions work exactly the same way with different messages being sent. It's very curious that the results would be drastically different for one message than the other. My experience has only been with the check-in function. It has not got through exactly twice in the 1.5 years that I've had it. Both times were at the TH for segment 4 of the CT. Which is not heavily treed so no idea what happened there. But it's worked great for me and the check-in function is very important to my wife since I go solo most of the time and she's a worrier.

One overlooked feature is I can change my plans by sending OK messages while going down a different trail. Before I had it, I stuck to my itinerary no matter what. Now I have more flexibility which is a big plus for me.

So, yes, it does work well for me. And I don;t think it's only for latte drinking twitterers. :) YMMV.

I'm definitely only interested in a PLB.
a week ago we did a 3 day trip and a friend used his Gen 1 Spot to track our progress and send ok messages. Only one of the messages got through.
Though we had used the Spot for a week long walk without problems, I don't like the thought of causing concern back home if they don't get the "ok" message.

It'll definitely be a PLB, most likely a fastfind, but I wanted to make sure it wasn't worth hanging out a few months longer for something half the size.

Aris,
Glad about your decision. BPL reviews and forums have dealt with this issue extensively before, but there are often new claims cropping up when an issue is revisited.

No doubt marketers follow these threads, and there is no way to know for sure who they are and who they aren't. When I am told that $240 plus $110 is less than $299 (REI for my Fastfind), I have to wonder though.

Eric,
Thank you for the info I've not seen before from the Forest Service. The stories were entertaining, but agree with other posters that some folks will abuse anything. I have worked supervising responses to quite different types of emergencies, and we always found folks who would abuse the process - it just seemed to go with the territory. Given limited resources, we had to screen, but if the decision-maker is wrong, ouch! Suppose one could argue that the Spot makes it somewhat easier to abuse the rescue process. For example, my instructions state that after one use of the FastFind, it has to be sent back to the mfg. for resetting.

What did come up on another thread is the danger that if family are expecting reassurances from Spot msgs., and it doesn't work, a lot of angst is likely to ensue. Enough so that the family is better off waiting until the hiker's pit stops in civilization (not that I feel there is anything uncivilized about our remaining wilderness), as was opined above. Or spring for the rental of a sat phone.

The Fastfind is about 5 1/2 ounces, the heaviest item in my pack cover pocket. I, too, am waiting for a lighter one.

I guess I'm not sure why anyone would use a plb in the continental U.S. and certainly not east of the Mississippi. Seems like a 2m radio would be a lot more useful.

I have a Ham License and have used 2m VHF while backpacking. Lots of people listen to the calling freq. but there is no guarantee that someone will hear you. I do enjoy chatting with guys dozens of miles away on 2m simplex from mountain tops though. But overall, I think carrying a PLB is more responsible than a 5w 2m hand held radio, especially in the boonies. The PLB is lighter too.

spot 2 might be different ... who knows ... the reviews on REI aren't the most favorable ... either it works for them or it dies

spot needs a gps fix in order to give yr location accurately, unlike PLBs which have the 406 mhz and 121 mhz as redundancy ... see the below for reliability of spot GPS ... as long as you can guarantee youll be under an open sky with LOS youll be fine ... otherwise

again its up to anyone what they use ... and none of my concern ... , but now you know what i would use .. and why

aris ... just buy it when you need it, or when you see a good sale .. same as any gear, new stuff comes out

Sam more interesting reading for you ... again spot 2 may be better but i havent seen any independent tests



SPOT in Location Based Emergency Services, LBES
Detailed Analysis, School of Surveying and Spatial information Systems, UNSW, Australia

International Global Navigation Satellite Systems Society
IGNSS Symposium 2009







http://www.gmat.unsw.edu.au/snap/publications/sarwar_etal2009b.pdf

Edited by bearbreeder on 11/18/2010 00:01:10 MST.

The Fast Find is available in four models:
Fast Find 200 - standard model
Fast Find 210 - standard model with GPS for extra fast position location

Australia or New Zealand -

Fast Find 201 - for Aus/NZ only
Fast Find 211 - for Aus/NZ only with GPS for extra fast position location

Edited by greg23 on 11/18/2010 07:59:36 MST.

For the best of both worlds (but with a weight penalty), The ACR SAR Link View offers a PLB with an "I'm OK" message system similar to Spot.

The downside is that the number of messages are limited to protect the battery for emergency signal use and my understanding is that when you reach the limit and have to replace the battery it's really pricey (send back to the manufacturer for replacement).

The good part is that it's a PLB and if all you want is a very occasional "I'm fine" message, the subscription service is cheaper than a Spot.

Best feature for me is the coordinate display. This would offset the weight penalty for me because I wouldn't need to carry a GPS.

http://406link.com/

Edited by skopeo on 11/18/2010 10:04:34 MST.

There needs to be a clarification here so that we are not comparing apples and oranges. All of these beacons and trackers use GPS first to establish a position fix. The GPS downlink frequency is about 1.57GHz, and those satellites are all military. These are the so-called NAVSTAR satellites that are up about half of the geostationary orbital altitide, so they appear across the sky for an hour or so at a time, but there are dozens of them, so GPS positioning tends to be very reliable. At worst, if you are buried down under wet vegetation, it is possible for the GPS downlink signal to be blocked. Once your beacon or tracker knows its position, then it can be switched to transmit a distress message or routine message. The uplink is about 406Mhz, and that goes up to Low Earth Orbit satellites called Globalstar. They are low and will transit any location very quickly, but they are "coming and going." Some devices also have a short-range homing beacon for when a search plane is actually coming across your horizon. GPS is free to users. Globalstar is a commercial outfit, so subscribers pay usage fees.

--B.G.--

Edited by hikin_jim on 11/18/2010 12:33:51 MST.

Jim, you are correct in that some beacons do not demand to use GPS for positioning. However, GPS is far more accurate and robust than the other techniques, so it is the preferred technique.

Also, I stated nothing at all about sat phones.

--B.G.--

> The uplink is about 406Mhz, and that goes up to Low Earth Orbit satellites called Globalstar.

Globalstar = satellite phone

Re-reading, I think Globalstar may have just typo. Did you mean Cospas-SARsat?

HJ

OMG this thread will never die =(

http://faq.findmespot.com/index.php?action=showEntry&data=1215

On what frequency does SPOT transmit?
Author:SPOT Marketing Team Article Reference #:AA-00188 Views:1801 Date Added:2009-09-08 12:00 AM Last Updated:2009-11-11 12:11 AM 3 Rating/ 4 Voters

SPOT transmits on the 1.6 Ghz frequency

"Globalstar = satellite phone"

Jim, no, not exactly.

Globalstar is the name of the company that puts up the Low Earth Orbit satellites, and Globalstar is not the name for a satellite phone. Globalstar has a number of services that run through it, and some of those are sat phones, but there are others.

So, Globalstar does not equal a satellite phone.

--B.G.--

BOTTOM LINE:
PLB's are rock solid dependable whereas SPOT in non-open terrain may or may not get GPS lock and may or may not be able to get a message out, but a PLB has only two modes (on vs. off).

SPOT on the other hand has way more functions and is far more flexible than a PLB but as noted has reliability problems in non-open terrain.

If you want reliability, go with a PLB. If you want more functionality go with a SPOT. Know the terrain you hike in, the type of hikes you do, and your personal needs, and choose the one that works for you.

HJ

Jim, would you factor into that something about weight of the device, or cost of the device (initial cost plus fees)?

Some of our Alaskan friends have commented about coverage up north.

--B.G.--

Basic facts comparing a McMurdo Fastfind 210 PLB to a Spot 2:
FastFind 210 -- 5.3oz (150g) -- 1.34" x 1.85" x 4.17" -- Price about $250
Spot 2 -- 5.2oz (147g) -- 3.7" x 2.6" x 1" -- Price about $150

In terms of size and weight, the two are roughly comparable.

In terms of purchase price, the Spot 2 is clearly cheaper, BUT there's an annual subscription fee for basic service of about $100. There is no subscription fee for the FastFind (or any PLB for that matter). At the end of one year, it looks like it's a break even if all you want from your SPOT 2 is the basic service. Other Spot 2 services (tracking for example) require additional fees. If you extend beyond a year, the FastFind quickly becomes cheaper. Note that I've seen the FastFind for sale for about $230 which would make the FastFind cheaper even in the first year.

In terms of coverage, PLB's such as the FastFind are intended to be used worldwide. The Spot 2, which is essentially a text only satellite phone, can only be used where there is Globalstar satellite phone coverage. (Globalstar is the company ultimately behind the Spot 2). See below map. The Spot 2 will probably not work in areas other than those indicated on the map.


Bob mentioned something about coverage limitations up in Alaska. I'm not sure whether he was talking about a PLB or the Spot 2, but perhaps he can say more about that or provide some links.

For me and what I do, I went with a PLB.

HJ

Edited by hikin_jim on 11/18/2010 15:44:28 MST.

Hopefully I've gotten rid of the many "RE's" in the subject line???

To the initial cost of the SPOT you have to add the annual subscription price. There is no annual fee with the PLB; registration is free. The comparison in Jim's post is therefore apples vs. oranges. Oops, in the meantime, Jim edited his post! Sorry, Jim!

You do have to replace the battery in the PLB after 5 years. Considering the rapid advances in this area, I doubt that many will want to keep their original PLB after 5 years. I replaced mine after 3 years because the McMurdo Fastfind was half the weight, half the bulk and half the price of my old ACR Microfix, and I couldn't resist the temptation! I wouldn't be surprised if in another three years, for the same weight and price, you can chat live with SAR and listen to soothing music on your PLB while awaiting rescue!

One difference is that when you register your PLB you are told in no uncertain terms that it's only for a life-and-death emergency and that frivolous use will result in fine and/or imprisonment. That is probably why PLB activation is taken more seriously! I personally believe that there should be the same legal penalties for misuse of a SPOT as for misuse of a PLB, which should cut down on things like the Grand Canyon episode.

The SPOT certainly has a valid function for those who value the tracking and "I'm OK" features.

Edited by hikinggranny on 11/18/2010 15:53:40 MST.

Hi, Mary,

I might have been still editing my post while you were composing your post. Check what I have up now and see if you still feel if it's an apples to oranges comparison.

HJ

"Bob mentioned something about coverage limitations up in Alaska. I'm not sure whether he was talking about a PLB or the Spot 2, but perhaps he can say more about that or provide some links."

No, I don't have any links, but I believe that several of our Alaskan friends have reported one thing or another about all kinds of satellite-related coverage.

GPS, as an example, is a free global service. As you approach the poles, however, the satellites are moving across the sky much lower toward the equatorial horizon, so it can get a little tricky to get a good position fix if you were deep in a rain forest. The good news is that there aren't too many rain forests at the poles. The bad news is that southeastern Alaska has such a problem.

Some of our European friends detest the idea of GPS since it is controlled purely by the U.S. military. Unfortunately, the European alternatives to GPS have problems.

--B.G.--

Jim, I saw that and edited mine to include an apology!

Edited by hikinggranny on 11/18/2010 15:56:38 MST.

assuming the 5 year life of a PLB ...

what you get is what you pay for a PLB minus overseas registration ... so $250 for a fast find vs. $150 SPOT + $100/yr * 5 yr

so for the usable life ... $250 vs $650 ... assuming north american usage

same reason as why cell companies attract people with a lower initial price for subscription revenue ...

note also that PLBs were designed from the ground up as a rescue device with multiple redundancies and with dedicated satellites ... it is internationally recognized ... the system is being upgraded all the time ... a PLB will work on air, land or sea

devices sold as a PLB must meet FCC approval and guidelines ... no idea if any such requirement exists for SPOT

the bottom line as stated by others as well is that if you want a RESCUE device go with a PLB

if you want something that tracks your progress for others and occasionally fails to send out a signal ... that's what SPOT is for

the weight the same these days .. and a PLB costs less than 1/2 over 5 years

many PLBs users are told then once pulled you need to send it in for a reset ... so once you pull it your trip is over ... period

can't keep on pushing the big red button for SAR to deliver my lattes =P

Edited by bearbreeder on 11/18/2010 16:04:45 MST.

"GPS... As you approach the poles, however, the satellites are moving across the sky much lower toward the equatorial horizon, so it can get a little tricky to get a good position fix..."

The PLB systems use both equatorial geosync and polar orbiting satellites. Although polar orbit satellites are "there" for only about 15 minutes across a location, they orbit about once every 90 minutes, so chances are excellent you PLB signal will get intercepted, but with a much longer latency compared to the equatorial geosyncs.

No sweat, Mary. Just making sure I haven't omitted something or another. Often things are quite clear in my mind but I'll leave gaps when I type things out on a page.

HJ

However, the GPS satellites are neither geosynchronous nor polar nor equatorial.

--B.G.--

For some reason, I thought this thread was about PLBs...

sorry.

Edited by greg23 on 11/18/2010 17:04:54 MST.

Beacons and similar products use GPS technology, so it is good to understand how all of these separate technologies work together for the final result.

--B.G.--

We purchased several SPOT's a couple of years ago to support folks in the field conducting surveys. The reliability was about 50-75% in the mountains of NC & GA.
Unless Spot has made major improvements on their service reliability, "I Wouldn't Bet My Life On It".

"We purchased several SPOT's a couple of years ago to support folks in the field conducting surveys. The reliability was about 50-75% in the mountains of NC & GA."

Was this studied to determine the nature or cause of the lack of reliability? When we are shooting low power signals that many miles to and from satellites, there are many things that can go wrong. One, is from user error or lack of training. Did you think that there was something geographically limiting, or was it a terrain and vegetation problem? Very few people point fingers at the space segment.

--B.G.--