All those items are good basic outdoor gear items, not at all that specialized(unlike the BD portaledge which is over $1100 fully equipped), but I wouldn't describe any of them as "stinkin' cheap." WhenI spend $200 or more, I generally shop around rather thoughtfully. I am not sure how much I have sunk into my climbing gear, but it is probably north of $3000, more or less. And to think that climbing appealed to me because it was so cheap! Maybe it was,years ago


Really? I have done a fair amount of caving - do they work in that environment? What about the climber stuck in a precarious avalanche zone? These are just a couple of situations where a PLB will not really be all that useful.

Don't get me wrong. PLBs do save lives, essentially taking the "search" out of searchandrescue, and shortening the recovery cycle tremendously. But they can't do everything. Your judgment is the first, and most important line of defense against disaster. If you mess up, and fall 300 feet, use of the PLB will only provide a quick body recovery before your remains become too rank (and the rescuers will appreciate that!) The minimalist kit that is the subject of this thread is a very real component that keeps the situation stable until you, with or without the help of others, can work out a solution.