spot emergency device

[follow maggie]

It seems expensive to me- expecially the subscription that you have to keep up.  I prefer to go old school and depend on my knowledge and skills I've spent so many years developing.

[ICEMAN]

I still use my "knowledge and skills".....

How many times have you had to light a fire to survive the night? Probably never, yet you carry matches? The spot device is similar. You may carry it when soloing for the slight chance of having to use it.

Sending messages to your loved ones is well worth the $100yr. Chump change for keeping the wife happy.

Another benny is the ability to document waypoints as you go, when you get back, you have a map record of where you were... Yeah, yeah, I know you can do this with your GPS...but it is a handy feature.

[littlemac]

Having been turned around in a snowstorm one time it sure makes you think of the things that you have no control of in the woods.  I wasn't ever really in any danger other than for a cougar that stalked me for a short time.

My GPS batteries were down and I left it in the Jeep as I was not planning on wandering too far with nightfall less than two hours off.  One thing led to another and before I knew it the snow had started to fall more heavily and bingo, I was one of the "stories" you hear about.  I have hunted the area for 30 years and never thought I could get twisted up.

Ultimately for the sake of time and with darkness nearly upon me I took a compass reading and made for a road I knew in the area where several elk camps were.  I asked a guy in one of them if I could bum a ride back to my rig.  I had seen his truck parked near mine the day before.

Although I most likely would have done the same thing with or without the SPOT, it would have been nice to have for an ultimate back up if I'd broken a leg or been in an area I didn't know as well. 

Of course the moral to this story (which I have never failed to follow since) keep the GPS charged up and carry extra batteries.

I noted here that many use it to keep the misses happy.  Having used a SAT phone in the Yukon multiple times, I learned quickly that my continued hunting opportunities would be greatly enhanced if she knew I was doing fine.  I can certainly see where the $100.00 is a small price to pay annually to keep loved ones from worrying in your absence by sending the OK message each evening.

Thanks for the reminder about SPOT, I may have to pick one up for next season.

[Magnum_Willys]

How about some more Info on SPOT alternatives for those of us who don't know about alphabet soup: SATSAR / EPIRB / ELT / or PLB   ?  Product suggestion anyone.  I have a spot (gift) haven't activated it yet.

[Ice Cap]

I have used the SPOT device since it was first put on the market.
Is it 100% dependable? Of course not. The only time I have not been able to get a message out has been while in a deep ravine or extremely heavy tree cover. If you don't have a southern view of the sky then the unit is unable to acquire the sattelite coverage that is required. The newer second generation SPOT devices will record your last three tracking positions and will transmit once a sattelite is re-acquired. There are a number of other devices on the market that can track your location and or report your location in an emergency. ALL of these are based on the premise that sattelite coverage is available!

[whacker1]

How about some more Info on SPOT alternatives for those of us who don't know about alphabet soup: SATSAR / EPIRB / ELT / or PLB   ?  Product suggestion anyone.  I have a spot (gift) haven't activated it yet.

[CamoKevin]

I have had one of the ACR brand PLB's which is shared in the family helping with the cost. No monthly bills to pay with it as it's not one of the new ones which has the "non-emergency" add-on's. it was 600 at that time and they are about 400 now. We've never had to use it yet and hope to never need to but if eye, limb or life is at stake then you better bet your self I will push that button for anyone's butt who needs it.

ACR's website: http://www.acrelectronics.com/product2.aspx?sku=2885

Look at it this way, how much did you spend on your scope? how about your rifle or bow? for those who go out by your self then your should think of it like a pair of boots, just one of those things you need to get the job done and get home to the wife and kids.

Kill Safely,