PLB or SPOT ???

[pmanton]

I've been trying to decide which would be best for us out here in the Arizona Outback PLB or SPOT.
I recently moved to an Airpark in Salome. AZ. There are very few places to go where there is a nice road or town nearby in case of trouble. I recently needed a tansponder cert and had to go to Phoenix about 90 air miles away. I didn't cross a single paved road or settlement until I hit the suburbs of Phoenix.

There are however lots of flat places to land. I could land on a dirt road and probably not damage the aircraft.

In addition many of the roads are unpaved primitive tracks. A breakdown, while not immediately life threatening, could turn that way if no one happens by. I can drive 5 miles from our house and be out of cell phone coverage, in real desert wilderness.

So I guess it boils down to what response will I get when I press the panic button.
If I had a breakdown out in the sticks and push the button will helicopters show up? Will I be chastised, possibly fined, because the situation isn't immediately life threatening?

I'm leaning towards the SPOT as being more suitable for life here in Arizona. It would be useful for a breakdown on the highway out of cell phone service. I wouldn't face judgement for calling in the rescue choppers when the situation isn't life threatening yet.

That's how my thinking is at the moment. I'd be interested in hearing the stories of people who have really used either a SPOT or a PLB for rescue.

Cheers:

Paul
N1431A
2AZ1
www.indianhillsairpark.com

 

[Skip Miller]

I've been trying to decide which would be best for us out here in the Arizona Outback PLB or SPOT.

I have a PLB.

Here is a quote from a SPOT review, and the source:

Essentially, this unit is supposed to enable the carrier to upload real-time tracking data to friends and family back home, but according to GPS Magazine, that was easier said than done. The unit was hailed as extraordinarily rugged, long-lasting (battery life) and able to work in areas without cellular coverage. Sadly, its internal GPS receiver was so insensitive that even "moderate tree cover prevented the unit from getting reliable signals."

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/23/spot-personal-tracker-gets-reviewed/

PLBs may suffer from the same problem. But the PLBs combine the 406 mhz technology AND the old 121.5 technology. Rescuers can get a fix using the 406 signal without the GPS location, using satellite doppler shift magic to get an approximate position for you. If the trees or something else kill your GPS signal, the approximate location will get the rescuers close enough so that they can then use the 121.5 technology to find you.

That's the theory, anyway.

As I said in the beginning, I chose the PLB. If I am stranded and feel my life is threatened, or feel that it might be threatened in a few days of waiting, I'll push the button on the PLB and sort out any legal problems later. In what I think is a good analogy, some people are afraid to declare an emergency over the radio because of post-landing difficulties with the authorities. Most who have declared state that there were no repercussions. I'm betting the same is true with PLB incidents, so long as there is truly a reason to push the button.

-Skip

 

[AdamZ]

Thats interesting Skip. The few times I've seen Spot in action it tracked well but of course I was never down in the mountains or trees needing assistance. So who knows.

 

[TMetzinger]

I'd like both, but if I could only have one, and had to pick one to save my life, I'd go with the PLB.

 

[twdeckard]

For what its worth Doug Ritter had a low opinion of the SPOT, not sure if he really just disagreed with the subscription model or the device itself.

http://www.equippedtosurvive.com/

I've got the McMurdo FastFind on my "next gadgets" list. Just hope I don't crash till after Christmas.

Todd

 

[brcase]

I decided the SPOT was the best bang for the buck and purchased one last March. If you wait for a specials you can usually get the Spot for free and pay only for the service. I am very happy with it. It does have some limitations but my thinking was a PLB or 406 ELT was basically a Lead weight until I had an emergency. With the Tracking option I use the SPOT every time I go flying and my family can check on my location any time they like. I also use it when cross country driving or hiking.

For sailplane flying it works great, In tracking mode my family and freinds can see about where I am at at any time. I can send an OK message if I like but as a general rule I have found that it is best not to use the OK feature with the Tracking feature turned on. I can send a Help message if I land out and need them to bring me the trailer. And of course 911 if I have an emergency situation. So far I have only see good reports on the response of the 911 feature. Additionally if I don't return at an expected time my friends and family can see where my last location was to start looking for me.

The advantage of the tracking feature is that it will be working before a crash, unlike a PLB or ELT that might be damaged in the crash.

The tracking mode is not 100% I get about 80% or better of the track points. But even if the track location is 20 minutes old that can really narrow down the search area, and that assumes that the SPOT is unable to trasmit after the crash. The new version of the SPOT is supposed to be better at this.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL