SPOT II vs. PLB?

[mattinaustin]

Has anybody had a chance to play with the new Spot II?  On a related note, what is the benefit of a PLB (personal locator beacon) registered with NOAA over a SPOT?  There seem to be several PLB choices, but I was looking at the FastFind which also has GPS and looks pretty small (5.3 oz) and relatively cheap ($299) http://www.fastfindplb.com/en/index.php.  I like the tracking function and check in stuff the SPOT has, but there seem to be several negative reviews on how well it would work in an emergency situation (based on the original SPOT with less GPS sensitivity).  Plus the PLB is free to register and no annual fee (that I know of).

Any thoughts?

Thanks
--Matt

[Done]

Hi Matt,

I purchased a Spot II from REI a couple of weeks ago, and I'm impressed. I didn't use the original Spot, so I can't compare them. But the new one does acquire GPS signals very quickly, even when under trees. Tracking is excellent, and every "check in" message that I've sent has gotten though.

PLBs are a tried-and-true technology. If I wanted a device exclusively for emergency use, I would just get a PLB. Not because I think that the Spot inferior, but it is supported by a private company rather than a more mature international rescue system. Cost-wise, the Spot may by a little cheaper initially, but the annual subscription adds up over the years. I bought a Spot II because I have sufficient trust that the 911 functionality will work if I need it, and I really like the messaging and tracking features.

Cheers,
Toby

[Pivvay]

PLB is emergency only. They work great for that purpose. Big fine to improperly activate one. Stronger transmitter or better frequency than a SPOT in my understanding.

SPOT's benefit it the tracking/check in buttons as well as the ability to program messages like "I'm going to be late but I'm fine. Don't call me in missing."  You have to program the messages before the trip but it does work well enough for me. 911 feature is routed through their call center.

I haven't used the new SPOT yet but if it's better than version one I'll only be happier. Just my 0.02

[Pivvay]

Hey Toby,

If you ever want to test the original version heads up next to yours, mount them side by side or something, you can borrow mine. It would be a cool test.

[canuckjgc]

Unless you have a worry wart at home who needs to know you are ok on a daily basis, I'd skip the $150/yr subscription (which includes the google map tracking, $99/yr is the basic package) and get the PLB.  With the money you save over a few years you could get a new GPS and a PLB.

I was on the receiving end of a stream of "I'm ok" messages sent from SPOT and after a certain time it was hard to pay attention to the stream of emails (i.e., it got annoying).  Wasn't my kid or spouse, but I do wonder if people pay much attention to the emails after the novelty wears off.

[Pivvay]

Tracking doesn't send the emails, just pops up on the screen. As for the people at home, everyone can hash out that issue on their own. My parents and wife like the SPOT over the PLB and that's fine with me.

[canuckjgc]

I think for a multi-week tour the SPOT would be good to have.  Anything less and it seems a bit overkill to me.

[Done]

Hi Chris,

Cool idea. Let's do it. Looks like nice weather this weekend, so I could take them both up into the hills for a spin! I assume that your ankle is still immobilized, otherwise I'd suggest that we go together.

Cheers,
Toby

[Pivvay]

Yea I'm still out of commission. Cross your fingers for good news on Monday...

My SPOT is available for the weekend if you want. I may be out of the house on Friday but I can always leave it in my outside hiding spot if I'm not here.

[Done]

PLB manufactures & advocates will obviously conflict with Spot and its advocates. There is, after all, money involved!

From the data that I've seen, the original Spot did have some GPS-signal reception issues, which certainly had the potential to limit their emergency functionality. That's one reason why I waited for the new version, which promised to have a better receiver. However, I think that a little care (activate in a relatively open area, point the face toward the sky) seemed to mitigate the limitations pretty well.

Idiots will abuse Spots and PLBs, as some recent stories in the news indicate (Yuppie 911). But I think that judicious Spot/PLB use is actually a good thing, because rescuers won't have to risk their own safety searching high and low for missing adventurers. Indeed, they will know exactly the location and type of terrain they will have to enter, leading to better preparation and planning for  rescues.

For me, the tracking function is mostly just for fun. But I think that the "OK" feature could reduce some real stress for potential rescuers--especially when trying to figure out whether an overdue adventurer is just spending another night out because they were slower than expected, or if someone broke a leg and is in real danger. A couple of "OK" messages would certainly be nice to receive in the former situation--and a 911 alert would be good in the latter!

[Pivvay]

Yea, another benefit of the tracking feature is last known position. If you just don't come back, at least they know where to start looking. It really can narrow down the search area, even if it's just a body recovery (sorry morbid).

[Done]

Good point about the tracking advantage, Chris. I'd prefer that my rescuers have as much information as possible to reduce their risk--especially if they are just recovering my stupid carcass!

[mattinaustin]

Thanks for the info.  I guess the main things are the pre-recorded messages and the tracking function in favor of the SPOT.  The PLB I was looking at also had a GPS and that is supposedly sent to the responders, but not sure how that protocol is all set up.  So the PLB would also give the last known location once activated.  I really find the "free service" aspect and the reliability of the 450 mhz satellite system vs. Spot's use of the private GlobalStar system to be the main benefits of the PLB. 

Very curious to hear the Spot II feedback as it gets more use.  Thanks again!

--Matt

[Pivvay]

Sure the PLB is bomber and they all send a GPS location in my understanding but you get a last known position only if you can activate it. If you lose your pack or can't get to the PLB (rare but possible, we are talking emergencies) then it doesn't tell your rescuers anything. Changing your route isn't a good idea but there are plenty of reasons why it happens.

Really in my mind the only reason to get the SPOT is if you want the extra functionality of non emergency messages. I don't carry a cell so this is a big benefit for me. Otherwise the PLB is worldwide and does it's one job very well. Probably a lot cheaper in the long run too.

[DaveH]

the new one does acquire GPS signals very quickly, even when under trees. Tracking is excellent, and every "check in" message that I've sent has gotten though.

That sounds like a major improvement.  I've only used a SPOT (v1) twice, but both times tracking worked only sporadically.  There were periods of several hours where no tracking updates got through.

[Done]

Hi Dave,

I was hoping the the new one didn't have as many tracking "voids" as the original. Probably the best test that I've done so far was by accident, when I left the Spot in my jacket pocket--with the tracking still on. I put the jacket in a closet, with the Spot not even pointed up (which the manual clearly indicates is necessary), and the thing still reliably sent tracking data every 10-20 minutes. I was amused that it worked so well, even if I did feel like a dork for leaving on and putting it in the closet...

Hopefully I'll be able to borrow Chris' this weekend, and give them a fairer field comparison.

Cheers,
Toby

[jonesy792]

A spot working in a closet!?!  That's crazy talk

[mattinaustin]

My Spot II worked pretty well, but I think it actually had problems connecting to the satellite network even though it was getting a GPS signal easily.  The on/off switch blinked red a lot, especially on the first day and in the mornings.  Then got this notice yesterday:


    December 14, 2009

    Dear Valued Customer,

    Spot LLC is dedicated to providing the highest quality and best performance products to our customers, therefore,
    Spot LLC will be conducting a voluntary return on any new model SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger ™ (SPOT 2)
    purchased since October 1, 2009. During recent testing, we discovered that some of the new SPOT 2 devices might
    not meet battery and messaging operating specifications.

    We highly recommend you return your product for replacement at your earliest convenience. Please visit
    www.findmespot.com/exchange for complete details. Replacement product will be available in early 2010. Spot LLC
    guarantees we will exchange your product free of charge and send your replacement unit when product is available.

    This notice does not affect the original SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker (SPOT 1) devices. Customers can easily
    identify the unaffected SPOT 1 product as it is clearly marked as the SPOT Personal Tracker. The operating condition
    does not apply to any other SPOT products.

    Sincerely,

    The SPOT Team

(on a side note, Cabellas has the Spot 1 for free if you get a 2 year service plan http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/community/product_features/pdf/images/camping/pf_518244_spot_cabelas_rebate_123109.pdf)

[ScottM]

Saw the recall.  Very interesting, I had heard that battery life was not quite what it was supposed to be.  I'm a little surprised they did a full recall, though.  Hopefully the new units are available soon.

[raposu]

As Chris said other plus for the PLB mentioned above is that is worldwide. If you buy SPOT service plan in America and then you go to Europe... guess what? You will need to reactivate your service again in Europe and pay the European fee, after your trip to Europe you are back home again and yes, you have to reactivate it again in America and pay again the service fee. It doesn't matter if in between these different reactivation's only 2 weeks or 2 months passed. This was my main reason to not get a Spot unit.