Originally Posted By: KenK
What do you do with the coordinates?

If the objective is to provide folks with help in the event of an emergency, then a PLB is hands-down the better option.

When (if?) the SPOT provides a satellite-based messaging system (where I can actually input a message) the also includes the GPS coordinates, THEN it might be worth the price.

Right now the SPOT plus service is about the cost of a PLB. The PLB is MUCH more robust and supported by the U.S. government, while the SPOT forces you to rely on friends/family. Also, the PLB provides a Doppler location in case the GPS isn't locking on and the homing beacon for localized tracking.

At this point I'll stick with my PLB.

Ken


A point last seen and a time is very helpful in SAR.

If you can't hit
that button on the PLB, where do you start the search?
By having check ins you reduce the search
area.

If you're pinned by a boulder, ATV, avalanche, car, etc.
and can't reach your PLB, what then?

We have a project that will take less than a year, cost
per person is about $250 vs the PLB about $600.

Having LAT LON from the SPOT as a double check to our GPS readings for geologic mapping is of some use too.