Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: AZRedhawk44 on February 26, 2020, 04:23:49 PM

Title: GPS Beacons
Post by: AZRedhawk44 on February 26, 2020, 04:23:49 PM
Lay it on me. What do you have, what are its deficiencies that you wish it did better, what pre-planning do you have to do with them before venturing into the sticks, what do you like about them?

Prepping for a ride to Tuk and maybe Deadhorse this summer. Normally my backcountry emergency comms fallback is Ham radio, but I'm seeing no uhf/vhf repeaters in the Tuk/NWT area at all. And it's a BIG area.
Title: Re: GPS Beacons
Post by: lupinus on February 26, 2020, 05:30:14 PM
Are you just looking for a check in/sos device?

I know several people who have a SPOT tracker and are happy with it. It does require a monthly membership though.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Title: Re: GPS Beacons
Post by: BobR on February 26, 2020, 06:50:55 PM
Quote from: lupinus on February 26, 2020, 05:30:14 PM
Are you just looking for a check in/sos device?

I know several people who have a SPOT tracker and are happy with it. It does require a monthly membership though.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

SPOT also has program where you can get coverage for 1 month at a time. I haven't done the math but it may be cheaper to go for a yearly subscription.

bob
Title: Re: Re: GPS Beacons
Post by: lupinus on February 26, 2020, 10:04:57 PM
Quote from: BobR on February 26, 2020, 06:50:55 PM
SPOT also has program where you can get coverage for 1 month at a time. I haven't done the math but it may be cheaper to go for a yearly subscription.

bob
Yeah I believe there is month to month for a little higher fee, and a yearly membership that saves some overall. Really just depends on how often of consistently it'll be used. Pretty sure they also have units that are a little more advanced that allows for messages to be sent and such.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Title: Re: GPS Beacons
Post by: Hawkmoon on February 27, 2020, 04:20:23 AM
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-personal-locator-beacon

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/personal-locator-beacons.html

https://www.outsidepursuits.com/best-personal-locator-beacon/
Title: Re: GPS Beacons
Post by: AZRedhawk44 on February 27, 2020, 09:15:56 AM
Quote from: lupinus on February 26, 2020, 05:30:14 PM
Are you just looking for a check in/sos device?

I know several people who have a SPOT tracker and are happy with it. It does require a monthly membership though.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Yeah, I think so.  Reading up on InReach, it's appealing that it enables conventional SMS functionality as well as working as a GPS beacon and pre-programmed messenger.

But the more I read, the more I get tempted to go whole hog on something like the Iridium Go platform (bluetooth satellite bridge for conventional smartphone).
Title: Re: GPS Beacons
Post by: Jamisjockey on February 27, 2020, 04:15:17 PM
It seems almost all the devices require some kind of subscription plan.  Spot has been in the game a long time.  Looks like their basic plan is about $12 a month but requires a contract.
It looks like Garmin has plans that don't require a contract for their devices.

The Garmins are pretty pricey.  Some cooler features including weather available with the plans though.