Well, I see there were a whopping total of 2 replies (and 133 views) to my fairly recent post re: personal locator beacons. Given the attention given to PLB's on this website, hasn't anyone actually bought one of these things and could possibly offer some feedback about how much, where, and etc. etc??

Thanks!

I'm sorry my post is off topic but....

In my twisted mind I can picture some frugal, but dim-witted, relative of an elderly person saying "golly, why should I lay out cash and pay a subscription fee for a Companion pendant when I can buy one of those PLB's and have the government help granny for free?
I can just see the product testimonial from Betty Bluehair of Boca now; "I slipped and fell on my way to the mailbox and couldn't get up. I would have been there for hours if it hadn't been for those young men in the orange and white helicopter and the nice folks from the Civil Air Patrol. Thank you Pains Wessex!"

Okay. I'm done now. Sorry.

Chris

Acquiring a unit is a priority with me. I imagine these will be much like television, computers and cell phones integrating into world society. 4 decades ago we were the first family with colour T.V. Now Mongolian herdsmen have units in their Yurts. I imagine there is some Walter Mitty resistance going on also. I was invited to fly in a french version of the german WW2 Stork light aircraft. Light? The thing lost power and I almost had to get out and push. We landed in a lemon orchard. I was so proud of my at the ready PSK.Then a orchard worker drove up in a utility cart and produced a cell phone. <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

MOAN! <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Though, I must admit I liked that one. Just keep quiet or we shall be hearing some marketing ads referring to this very idea. Some shameless promoter (Aron Ralston maybe?) will no doubtably tout these things as the current means of modern rescue. I mean after all with those dang scooters; one never knows where those ol’ bluehairs will wind up. Problem is the "fly-by-nighter" will make a small killing and then pocket the extra money. Doubtful they will share with Doug and ETS. But like everything else, which is sold in this country (USA), we seem to be behind the eight ball when it comes to new technology now! Our Pacific Rim and European friends have been laughing at us for months (years) now because we generally adopt something 18 months behind them. As for me; well if and when I do buy one; I'll probably go to Canada and get mine. They have been on the market there longer and are now in their second and possibly third generation. Well past the "bugs worked out" stage.

I see no need for a PLB. Maybe if I was a boater on the Great Lakes or ocean I would like one. For travel (on roads) and trails, I prefer to not be "located". If I have a problem, I can deal with it in some less expensive fashion. Cell phone, HAM radio or just common signalling methods. PLBs are too costly, too heavy and no guarantee of a longer life. Just my 2 pennys! <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

OK Stargazer. This is good info. Would you mind expanding a little bit on the cheaper/better in Canada thing? This is why I posted originally. What brand, how much, etc.

Many thanks.

Sotto:
I mentioned Canada, because I have family in that great country as well. Good excuse as any to visit them. One of my cousins said he obtained a ACR unit there about mid January of this year and only paid about $288 USD well below the list of $599 USD here in the states. Unfortunatley, the company he bought it from went under in April because of a divorce. Most of the time I will see any new electronic item in most catalogs with the ususal description and then putting the word *CALL in the price column. This translates (in my book anyway) to "how much can we soak the customer for; today?" The whole idea of paying more than MSRP is absolutely absurd. Another reason is (Doug or Chris jump in if I am wrong) the Canadians do not require the additional 121.5MHz or Morse code 'P' in their units as does the USA. This is no doubt one of the reasons the units were not available until the first of this month. Is the two additional features of the US models really worth an extra $200 to $300? No thanks I say. People who know me know I buy "the best" and spend less for it. Sometimes, it is just a simple matter of negotiating and negotiating. Hope this helps.

Yes, Stargazer, that was a big help. I had no idea about the "p" and the 121.5 issues. Sounds like you got a giant savings to me. However, the additional feature of a built-in GPS sounds like a very significant advantage, as long as the satellites are accessible.

If the "built-in GPS" can be used as a GPS, then I might agree; personally, I'd prefer to buy one with a GPS connector that I can hook my existing handheld GPS into.

>>If I have a problem, I can deal with it in some less expensive fashion.

Careful That's what Aron Ralston thought, and he was an idiot... (At least, according to 99.9 percent of the regulars on this forum <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> )

Correct me if I'm wrong but "build in GPS" requires a separate special GPS unit not just any GPS system out there. Hmmm... more money to spend. THat's what I figured out after reading rei.com description. But than again I can be mistaken.

Matt

First rule of "survival" is to avoid placing yourself in a survival situation. For a person to go climbing alone, without telling anyone where he was going or when he should return was the young mans first, critical mistake. If he was a smart traveller, he would have reasoned that he was endangering himself by going on a potentially dangerous undertaking all alone. Had he taken a PLB, he could have had someone else amputate his arm for him, if the signal got out and the PLB survived to do the signalling. Still, the same consequences.
What I seem to gather from some folks here is that if you carry enough "toys" nothing can happen to you. Maybe! However, there is no substitute for training, lots of experience and just plain old good sense. Some people would be better served to get some training, gain more experience and spend less money on gadgets. There is equipment that is essential and then there is equipment that is just plain gee whiz. Like I said before, PLBs make perfect sense on water or flying in light aircraft over remote areas or oceans. If anyone says I need one in my backpack for a well planned hiking trip, with friends, having left word on locations and return times, then that person gets to carry the extra pound+ and extra batteries or better yet, stay behind so they can wait for a wilderness experience to come to them. TV is the safe bet, a really cool gadget!!

Maybe if I go out and buy a PLB somebody will find this query and provide a specific reply to my original post. Once again, anybody actually buy one, and what might be the best deal for the money?

Thanks. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Currently the best prices I've seen from a source I'd trust are from Landfall Navigation.

I know at least a dozen folks who have purchased one, about split evenly between the ACR and McMurdo. So far, everyone seems happy with them, everyone wishes they were smaller and cheaper. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Best value I think is the ACR GyPSI if size and weight aren't a major issue and you are already carrying a GPS anyway. If weight is an issue, go with the McMurdo.

Hope this helps.