PLB choices.

Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 14:06
ThreadID: 142888 Views:16736 Replies:12 FollowUps:33
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Gday all, looking at obtaining a PLB for myself. There appear to be many learned people on this forum and i would like their opinions of the most suitable unit around. Currently looking at the SpotX but am not sure if i would use the 2 way texting option and can't quite figure out how it works. The KTI appears to be well regarded but also hard to find, or i'm looking in the wrong place.
Thanks for any input.
bb
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Reply By: George_M - Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 14:15

Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 14:15
FWIW I carry a GME 410G.

Have never used it and I test it occasionally.

I've just bought a new one because the original unit's battery has exceeded its specified date of seven years (it still tests ok).

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Follow Up By: bruce 1 - Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 15:19

Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 15:19
Thanks George, I had forgotten about GME and if my memory is correct, they are an Australian company. I'll do a bit more looking.
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Follow Up By: Member - Barry P (VIC) - Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 19:41

Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 19:41
have just updated my gme 410g,previous one 7 years old,battery was still ok
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Follow Up By: Croc099 - Tuesday, Nov 30, 2021 at 06:51

Tuesday, Nov 30, 2021 at 06:51
Yes, GME is an Aussie company right here in Sydney. The new MT610 is a good little unit.
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Reply By: Member - Jim S1 - Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 14:35

Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 14:35
Hi Bruce
We have a KTI , but as far as I know, they have gone out of production, and won’t be starting up again. Pity, as it is a very good Aussie made unit.
Not sure what we will do when the time comes.
There are others.
Cheers
Jim

https://www.skippersmate.com.au/kti-epirbs-plbs/
"Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." A fisherman.

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Follow Up By: Member - Dick L - Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 14:58

Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 14:58
Appears you are right about KTI discontinued in RTM link

Roar Tech Marine
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Reply By: Bricky - Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 15:08

Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 15:08
We carry a couple of these, left over from boating days.

https://www.bcf.com.au/p/acr--resqlink-personal-locating-beacon/566817.html
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Reply By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 16:16

Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 16:16
Hi Bruce

Here are a couple for you.

New GME PLBLooks a ripper

Here is another one.
RescueMe PLB

You must remember that any PLB will only let people know where you are only when activated.

If you are looking for something that gives you real time location anywhere in the world, with SOS function that is basically the same as setting off a PLB, you should also consider a SPOT.

The latest SPOT Gen 4
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Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 07:36

Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 07:36
I can back Stephen's comments regarding the Spot device, but if you choose it, be aware that annual satellite subscription may cost an arm and a leg.
I discovered an option to have an "occasional" activation with Spot. Basically, you pay for an annual access account, then have the option to set up your account so you only pay for satellite access for a period you choose. You can turn on and off this access on a monthly basis through your online account.
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Reply By: Member - DW Lennox Head(NSW) - Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 17:58

Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 17:58
Have a look at the Garmin InReach SE+ tracker.
I have one and it has many uses.
After having been in AMSA and discussing the units, I am more than happy with what I have.
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Reply By: Member - LeighW - Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 19:21

Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 19:21
I have a GME and a Garmin inReach, both are good units.

The GME is registered with AMSA, Garmin via inReach , GOS from memory organise a rescue who I image work with the AMSA?

In future not sure if I will replace the GME, I have purchased three units now over the years as they charge as much to replace the battery as to buy a new unit which in my opinion is ridiculous. Is a pity as I would like to support an Australian company but not when I feel I'm being ripped off. Same probably applies to the other dedicated PLB's I imagine.

With the Garmin you just need to keep it charged, with the previous Spot tracker I had just replace the batteries. If you don't need to return these units for battery replacement and regular testing why do you need to for a PLB only type unit? Yes with the Garmin etc you have to pay for a plan but I want that anyway, the PLB function is thrown in with it. If you want a tracker device or a device that can send messages then just get one of these types of units.

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Reply By: Frank P (NSW) - Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 20:57

Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 20:57
If you have a satphone or HF so you can communicate from where there is no service, then I suggest you get a PLB with GPS. GME or one of the others.

But if you dont have the satphone or HF, then IMO one of the tracker/communicators is the best bet. All of them act as an emergency beacon, with the addition of communication by email, text or both either by linking with your smartphone or standalone (or both).

Either DW Lennox Head(NSW)'s recommendation of a Garmin inReach (there are a few models) or aSpot X would be a good choice.

I am very happy with our Spot X with its 2 way comms. inReach does the same and I suspect is easier to use but the plans are more expensive.
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Follow Up By: Member - John - Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 07:22

Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 07:22
Frank, I had a SPOT, great little unit, but changed to Garmin Inreach due to the ability to pause the Garmin subscription if not needed. SPOT just seemed to raise the cost each year, and with an older unit even though it worked, support was not guaranteed.
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Follow Up By: Member - LeighW - Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 10:02

Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 10:02
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Reply By: Member - Jim S1 - Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 21:37

Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 21:37
As I see it, The Garmin Inreach, SpotX etc are great for communications , but I would question their suitability as a PLB for one reason .......... they need their battery charged.
A PLB has a battery that lasts the life of the unit.
Personally, if I wanted a lifesaving device, I would have a PLB.
If you want communications by all means get some other device, but I would not rely on a device that needs its battery charged to be a life saver.

Cheers
Jim
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Follow Up By: JJAdv - Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 21:51

Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 21:51
With my InReach I just keep it charged. It will last around 4 days. Never had an issue keeping it charged.

Had a Spot, had no issue keeping that charged either.

Seems to be a non issue.
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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 22:06

Wednesday, Nov 24, 2021 at 22:06
I see your point, Jim. But I like to keep my Spot alive so it tracks - my family likes to see where I am and that I'm moving and alive. To do that I keep it plugged in to a USB, so the battery is always 100%.

But, yes, if you stuck it in the console or a backpack and forgot it, then there'd be issues. But then, if you're a half-aware outback traveller that'd be pretty unlikely, I would think.
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Follow Up By: Member - LeighW - Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 10:08

Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 10:08
Yep just keep it charged, I have my Inreach plugged into a USB charger and it is charged all the time. Did the same with my previous find me spot device but I had to make up a unit to replace the batteries in that one.

We also leave the unit active all the time, if you have an accident and can't activate the SOS beacon once others discover your missing they can track the unit which you can't do with a PLB that's not turned on.

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Follow Up By: Member - Jim S1 - Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 10:36

Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 10:36
All very valid points gents. The tracking that can be done these days, even with our ExplorOz program, really does make life much safer.
There's just so much "stuff" to keep charged, plugged in, and turned on, it makes my tired old head spin.
Stay safe.

Cheers
Jim
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Reply By: .... - Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 11:03

Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 11:03
It is important to not confuse PLBs with Communication devices.

Whilst they may appear to be basically the same they have some very important differences.

PLBs are monitored by a dedicated satellite network and once detected will initiate a very specific response from Australian authorities.

Noting, PLBs, are required to be registered with the AMSA. The AMSA provide a great resource, free of charge, to all those with a registered PLB or EPIRB.

Communication devices use commercial satellites and you are relying on a third party, usually located overseas to alert the AMSA.

For sure, you can have a family member or friend to monitor movements provided by a communication device, personally I’d prefer to rely on someone whose sole purpose is to monitor PLB activations and are professionally trained to do so. But, each to their own in this regard…

There is a good reason PLBs have an expiry date, linked to battery life, you need it to work when you need it.

And for sure, perhaps you’ll be vigilant enough to ensure your communication device is charged or has fresh batteries, but ‘Murphy’s Law’ suggests that the person who needs it most will have forgotten…

By all means research both to determine what suits you best, but understand the fundamental differences.

Apples and oranges can be said to be basically the same, after all, both are fruit - but that is where the similarities end.

But whatever you choose, never second guess activating one if you feel the need to do…

Baz - The Landy

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Follow Up By: OzzieCruiser - Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 12:07

Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 12:07
I agree 100%.

By way of example - all commercial aircraft have good communication devices but all also carry the aircraft version of a PLB - it is for when all else fails.

The same with commercial maritime vessels, all have good communication devices but also carry the maritime version of a PLB, the EPIRB for when all else fails.

So on land for your camping trips etc, by all means carry communication devices that you are happy with but for when all else fails also carry a PLB - cheap insurance for about $300.

For those who say I will keep my batteries charged in my communications device - yeah right until the one time you need to rely on the device and the batteries are flat or dont work - its called Murphy's Law.

By all means buy your satphone, Garmin In reach or Spot but also get a PLB.
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Follow Up By: Member - LeighW - Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 13:00

Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 13:00
Come on guys, a PLB you have to activate, according to your Murphy's Law when you need to activate it your not going to be in a position to do so. Planes, ships have lots of communications devices, a PLB would be the absolute last back up and it would activate automatically, if you going to use that theory then you should be carrying a couple of automatic PLB's if you don't have another form of reliable communication.

The technology in the inreach units and spot are as good as PLB, battery life on a turned off inreach unit, no idea but I imagine it is a long time. Chances of it not working when you need it are probably a lot less than a PLB. If your using it for messaging and tracking your testing it daily and know it's working, when was the last time you checked your PLB functioned, a week ago, month year? Is it still in the car or did you take it out and forget to put it back?

Personally I carry both, out of the two I prefer the inreach unit for added piece of mind, if we don't check in then relatives will know something is wrong, can't do that with a PLB. They can also check to see where we are, again can't do that with a PLB. We can also set off the beacon to let the authorities know we a stuck and where we are, we can also message them to let them know what our condition is before they respond. Much more versatile than a PLB.

If a problem was to arise though the first thing I would reach for is the HF radio, if no joy there then the Garmin would be the back up. If all that failed then I would dig out the PLB and hope it works.




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Follow Up By: .... - Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 14:05

Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 14:05
Leigh,

This covers the point of my post…

“By all means research both to determine what suits you best, but understand the fundamental differences.” (PLB vs Communicator - they are not basically the same)

Sounds like you have all bases covered.

Baz - The Landy
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Follow Up By: OzzieCruiser - Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 14:07

Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 14:07
Dont dispute any of that - great communication device but you are missing the point that a PLB is for "if all else fails".

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Follow Up By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 20:22

Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 20:22
Well said Leigh.

I had a friend who was doing a bike trip, carried both, a PLB and a SPOT.

The trouble is, when he had his accident, he was unconscious and not able to trigger his PLB.

Lucky for him, the first on sceen was an off duty nurse who organised the ambulance etc.

His wife who was monitoring his progress hit panic stations when he was stationary for over an hour on a dirt track. His wife then started making phone calls, not to find her husband was involved in an accident and in hospital.

This was a clear case of the SPOT being superior, as if the off duty nurse did not happen along, and his wife was not monitoring his progress, who knows how long it would have been before he was found.

Like we all know, you have to be able to physically activate a PLB, while with a SPOT, anyone following your progress can see exactly where you are.
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Follow Up By: Member - David M (SA) - Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 23:11

Thursday, Nov 25, 2021 at 23:11
Really don't like the idea of wife/family/ friends being put in the position of when to hit the panic button.
Your safety should in no way be their responsibility. They would be monitoring the unit every five minutes.
Dave.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 08:19

Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 08:19
.
So I decide to pop in to the Lions Den for a lemonade and next thing the Cavalry burst in the door on full alarm? No way thanks!
I didn't raise the Kids to be nursemaids.
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Follow Up By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 08:58

Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 08:58
The Lions Den is civilisation and they have a phone for you to ring and very different to a person riding a motorcycle off the beaten track.

I am referring to the point that if you were involved in an accident and unconscious, all the safety gear you carry is useless if you can not activate it.

A PLB will not show where you are if not activated.

A SPOT on the other hand will show where you are and if authorities need to try and find you, they will know exactly where you are and exactly how long since you have not moved.

When we were in Birdsville on one trip over 30 years ago, the RFDS came in at 1.30am and next morning was the local talk. I guy had rolled his Range Rover, the vehicle was still on its roof, the guy critically injured and it was 15 hours before anyone found the accident.

He had a HF radio, the antenna smashed with the accident and the guy unconscious. Even if PLB’s were around then, it would have been useless and the poor guy could not have activated it.

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 09:16

Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 09:16
Over the life of these devices there are very significant cost differences. That cost difference increases the options available, IF you wish to spend the $$$s.
If you don't want to spend the $$$s, a PLB is the lowest cost option.
Cheers,
Peter
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Follow Up By: .... - Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 09:31

Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 09:31
Stephen

As with many things in life, much of it is a compromise. No more so than when it comes to safety in the bush.

In the instance you highlight above you have tended to ‘cherry-pick’ to present a view that a Spot was superior to a PLB as the unconscious rider would have been unable to activate a PLB, but equally, he was unable to activate the SOS button on his Spot device. Neither was superior, either would have been useful if he was able to activate.

Thankfully the thing that saved him was a registered nurse who turned up at the scene.

Tracking provided by a Spot device for Search and Rescue (SAR) purposes, whilst useful, has many flaws and without going into or debating them, it is worth highlighting that fact.

Alan, in his post, highlights two of the more obvious ones.

I go back to my original post, which was too highlight, PLBs and Communicator devices have some important differences and should not be considered ‘basically’ the same.

By all means, research what best suits your own personal situation, preferences and risk tolerances and accept they will all have limitations.

Above all else, never fear pressing the emergency button if you believe you are in imminent danger…

And accept that sometimes, like your friend, that your only saviour might be a dose of good luck…

Baz - The Landy
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 09:35

Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 09:35
.
Hi Stephen,

Some may argue with you about the Lions Den being "civilisation". lol
And yes, you are right, PLB's, HF radio, phones etc. are only effective if manually activated.
But I still do not wish to place my family or friends in a position of being a watch-keeper over my movements and having to somehow signal them every time I paused moving.
One of the things I love about being 'remote' is the very isolation, the feeling of being alone in the world. I'm very sure you understand that emotion. So I accept the risk of not having someone watch over me or the need to constantly report my activity. Lifestyle brings with it risks, and I am prepared to accept that. If it means that I perish in The Bush then so be it, there is no better place for it to happen. lol

If a SPOT device brings a person needed comfort then so be it for him, but it is not for everybody.
Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - LeighW - Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 10:04

Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 10:04
Just do a search of the net for person missing in the outback and see how many hits come up, if each of those persons had a tracker they would not be missing.

My family are not my nurse maids, they are not instructed to check as daily. If we go remote we send a message when we arrive at a camp for the night if we remember to. If we are staying there a few days then we include details.

Some of our friends enjoy following our travels, they also know where we are and can meet up with us and visa versa if they happen to be travelling through the same area.

If they haven't heard from us or we haven't moved for a few days they were to suspect there is a problem then they can send us a text message asking if we are ok, same if they need to contact us urgently. We always have the Garmin on but hardly ever turn on the sat phone. If one is camped up and people aren't expecting you to be travelling daily and something was to happen then yes a tracker is of no advantage,
no one will come looking until they think there is a problem, but at least when someone does start worrying they know where to tell the authorities where to look!

Same other way around, if the authorities are trying to find you which happens when station staff etc report someone has gone missing or you are over due after filling in a log book somewhere.

We used to listen to the VKS scheds every day for messages etc, now we listen when we remember to as others can text us anytime they need to. We need a weather report we can get one straight away. We don't need a sat phone plan so we can keep the sat phone turned on, if someone needs to talk to us they can either send us a message to call them on the HF or Sat phone, we then just swap the SIM out of the mobile into the sat phone and call them, yes rates are expensive but we haven't needed to us it yet.

But yes we do also carry a PLB, have never used it a suspect I never will.

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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 10:28

Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 10:28
.
I have family, some quite close by. We communicate regularly, but sometimes not for a week or two.

If I was to die at home in my bed, neither they nor anyone may know for a time.
So what is the difference to being in the Bush?

Modern communication systems have certainly changed society's personal behaviour!
We all respond to available systems in very different ways, don't we?
Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - LeighW - Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 11:00

Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 11:00
True.

We went for the tracker for piece of mind it gives to family rather than making them responsible for pulling the pin as you put it. They know the type of travelling we do is not without risks, they can bring up our location and check on us whenever they feel like it. Same if I jump on the bike and go for a ride around town, other half can monitor where I am and what I'm up to, or I can text her to come get me.

Difference to dying in bed is you might be injured and in pain trapped under a car for long period of time! I was a pilot at one time, we submitted flight plans and search and rescue info for each flight, if you hadn't arrived by a certain time then they would start a search and rescue operation, it is just common sense. I see this as no different to the way we use our tracker, if we travelling and then suddenly stop with no communication then family will suspect something is amiss. People watching quickly learn your travel habits and know when something is not right. Yes it could result in a false call out but no different than pressing the button on a PLB, some will say they pressed it when they didn't need to others will say they did the right thing.

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Follow Up By: .... - Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 18:30

Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 18:30
Leigh

No intention to ‘cross swords’ with you as clearly we are in broad agreement that if travelling remotely have some form of communication or device that communicates the message that help or assistance is needed…

However, you’ve stated…

“People watching quickly learn your travel habits and know when something is not right. Yes it could result in a false call out but no different than pressing the button on a PLB”

I’ll challenge that, and highlighting it was the point I was making in my original post.

Activating a PLB is very different to having someone tracking your Spot Tracker and notifying concerns to authorities that based on Tracking information you ‘may’ have a problem.

The PLB sends a very concise message (help) to the AMSA who are mandated to commence a SAR operation in the absence of any information that indicate an inadvertent activation.

Regarding Airservices Australia and SAR Watch…

I recall lodging a SAR Watch for arrival at Burketown via flight planning. On arrival I cancelled SAR Burketown only to told they were holding SAR for arrival Bourke, a couple of thousand miles south (lucky I arrived safely, hey!).

The frailty of human intervention has always had its problems…

After that I usually filed IFR, at least they had a better idea of where I was…

Good luck out there…

Baz - The Landy




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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 19:21

Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 19:21
.
It occurs to me that perhaps a good way to 'keep an eye' on a traveller via a SPOT device is to couple it with a satphone constantly powered and connected.
If then the monitoring suggested a lack of progress, a voice call or message could be initiated to the traveller to check on their safety thus avoiding raising an inappropriate emergency alarm. If no response to the call then it adds import to raising an emergency report.

This scheme of course requires the subscription costs of both a SPOT and a satphone and it seems that often the users of SPOT do so to avoid satphone charges. However, my view is that these costs pale into insignificance when compared to other vehicle costs such as fuel.




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Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - LeighW - Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 20:03

Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 20:03
Allan,

That's exactly how we use the Garmin except a sat phone is not required. The Garmin is a two way device, as well as being a tracker it is also capable of sending and receiving text messages via the satellite. As I wrote if someone watching the tracking becomes concerned they can send a text message to the tracker via the satellite. The unit then beeps to indicate a text message has arrived and can be replied to via the Garmin unit. If the unit is in range of my mobile phone, text messages can also be sent and received on the mobile phone via the Garmin and the satellite. We do also carry a sat phone.

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Follow Up By: Nifty1 - Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 22:00

Friday, Nov 26, 2021 at 22:00
There has been only brief mention of the InReach’s use to receive messages, but that was an important consideration for us. With elderly relatives somewhat dependent on us we need to be contactable even when camped in remote locations for a week or more at a time - they text us from a phone and we get the msg next time we turn it on, usually a couple of times a day. This sort of device also covers those situations where you may be stuck but not in real danger, and can be used to ask for a tow, a tyre or a new radiator, when you might feel that calling for a helicopter is a bit over the top. Mostly though, we just use it to keep in contact with family.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Saturday, Nov 27, 2021 at 09:35

Saturday, Nov 27, 2021 at 09:35
.
Nifty, I can understand where you are coming from. However in my case it was a satphone that provided.
My satphone was cradled on the roll bar and connected to 12v and to an external antenna so it was always operational.
We were halfway across the Anne Beadell Hwy when a call came from family at a hospital to inform that my dear sister was in her final moments of life. Although she could not speak she could hear my expressions and family members said that she acknowledged with gladness.
No other device could have served and those few minutes continue to justify any expenses of my having a satphone.
Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: JJAdv - Saturday, Nov 27, 2021 at 17:16

Saturday, Nov 27, 2021 at 17:16
My family aren't my nursemaids either.. I give them more credit than that. They look at where I am from time to time. We have a plan if anything happens, and I know they will just execute the plan if required. Unlike a PLB, if I get into trouble 99% of the time I will be assisted by family or people I know. Even if its serious.. If life threatening, yes, I will also push the red button.

I can usually hang out where I am for days waiting if required.

99% of the time I will not have to use public resources.

A PLB is still a great extra to have alongside all the other trackers and phones with a SOS feature.

I come across this one.. PLB and a sat phone.. Lucky for the sat phone and the police/ambulance had gone the wrong way, we were able to turn them around.

Just around Docker River



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Follow Up By: Candace S. - Thursday, Dec 02, 2021 at 03:14

Thursday, Dec 02, 2021 at 03:14
Baz said earlier: "For sure, you can have a family member or friend to monitor movements provided by a communication device, personally I’d prefer to rely on someone whose sole purpose is to monitor PLB activations and are professionally trained to do so."

And professionals are on duty 24/365 monitoring. The friend/relative monitoring your SPOT or similar could have their own local emergency. Then they may be too preoccupied, or simply unable, to monitor you. And you'll be in the same position as a PLB owner: you'll have to activate the SOS call yourself.

I've personally opted for a PLB, and I've been carrying them for years. For various reasons I've stayed with them.

Anyone who buys a PLB should perform an initial self test of the unit as soon as possible. (And, of course, follow the specified test schedule for the life of the unit.) Below is a screenshot of a review I left on a retailer's website, detailing my experience a few months ago.

The PLB I initially purchased (twice) was the ACR rescueME PLB1. I ended up buying and keeping an ACR ResQLink 400.


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Follow Up By: Member - LeighW - Thursday, Dec 02, 2021 at 15:16

Thursday, Dec 02, 2021 at 15:16
The friend can pickup if something is wrong if you don't activate the emergency button which can't happen with a PLB. The SPOT and Garmin devices also have an SOS button which performs the same function as activating a PLB:

"During an emergency, you can request help by using the SOS function to contact GEOS, the Garmin-powered International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC)."

What happens next:

"The Garmin IERCC notifies the appropriate emergency responders of your location and situation. You can continue to communicate via text with them during your emergency while you wait for help to arrive."

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Reply By: bruce 1 - Saturday, Nov 27, 2021 at 19:19

Saturday, Nov 27, 2021 at 19:19
Thanks to everyone who replied, has given me a lot of ideas. I have solved my question with a fair bit of your help and the unit is sitting happily in my transport device which is criminally underused at the moment. Hopefully the next time I have to see it is when it is due for new batteries or replacement. Also cheers to the AMSA website, remarkably easy, wish all of our government sites were so usuable.
Thanks again - bruce 1
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Reply By: Member - Stefan F2 - Wednesday, Dec 22, 2021 at 16:01

Wednesday, Dec 22, 2021 at 16:01
I looked and carried a few, new GME is great in my book and aussie made. I would never rely on a Spot or inReach as PLB https://youtu.be/ZOmFybcuUD8
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Reply By: Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) - Thursday, Dec 23, 2021 at 14:55

Thursday, Dec 23, 2021 at 14:55
There's another option just to confuse things Bruce.
The Iridium 9575 Extreme satellite phone has an SOS button as well as being a phone. It'll summon the cavalry just like a PLB and units such as Garmin InReach and Spot.

Yes, I have one of these Iridium phones. My first preference for emergency matters would be my GME PLB operating in the 406MHz band and GPS equipped.
Geoff,
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