Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: AspenBud on May 16, 2013, 02:20:09 PM

Title: Personal Locator Beacon
Post by: AspenBud on May 16, 2013, 02:20:09 PM: Anyone own a PLB or something similar? I'm looking for any recommendations.

I've resisted buying one for years but thanks to a hunting accident a few years ago involving twisting my ankle in ways it shouldn't and using my Benelli as a crutch I figure I should start looking now that my cash flow situation is looking more in the black than red these days.
Title: Re: Personal Locator Beacon
Post by: Bmcox86 on May 16, 2013, 02:26:46 PM: Anyone of these would be a good choice. I don't own one but I wear one almost everyday while at work. As long as you register it, it will work fine.

http://www.rei.com/search?query=Plb (http://www.rei.com/search?query=Plb)
Title: Re: Personal Locator Beacon
Post by: washelkhunter on May 16, 2013, 02:40:37 PM: my wife bought me a spot several years ago out of concern because I hunt alone so often and tend to ramble miles from where I said I would be. Lightwt and reliable. Comes with a $100k insurance policy in case the govt decides to sue you for the cost of rescue.
Title: Re: Personal Locator Beacon
Post by: Russ McDonald on May 16, 2013, 03:00:04 PM: Quote from: washelkhunter on May 16, 2013, 02:40:37 PM
my wife bought me a spot several years ago out of concern because I hunt alone so often and tend to ramble miles from where I said I would be. Lightwt and reliable. Comes with a $100k insurance policy in case the govt decides to sue you for the cost of rescue.
:yeah: I have one too.
Title: Re: Personal Locator Beacon
Post by: netcoyote on May 16, 2013, 03:14:41 PM: Quote from: washelkhunter on May 16, 2013, 02:40:37 PM
my wife bought me a spot several years ago out of concern because I hunt alone so often and tend to ramble miles from where I said I would be. Lightwt and reliable. Comes with a $100k insurance policy in case the govt decides to sue you for the cost of rescue.
Unless SPOT drastically overhauled their customer support crew recently, good luck if you ever need to use that insurance claim. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Personal Locator Beacon
Post by: Bob33 on May 16, 2013, 03:20:30 PM: Quote from: netcoyote on May 16, 2013, 03:14:41 PM
Quote from: washelkhunter on May 16, 2013, 02:40:37 PM
my wife bought me a spot several years ago out of concern because I hunt alone so often and tend to ramble miles from where I said I would be. Lightwt and reliable. Comes with a $100k insurance policy in case the govt decides to sue you for the cost of rescue.
Unless SPOT drastically overhauled their customer support crew recently, good luck if you ever need to use that insurance claim. :chuckle:
Their atrocious customer service and fee collection policies are well known and a major deterrent to new customers.
Title: Re: Personal Locator Beacon
Post by: BiggLuke on May 17, 2013, 10:28:09 AM: I've heard the new EARL GPS tablet will haev a locater beacon more precise than anything on the market.
And has its own solar panels....
Title: Re: Personal Locator Beacon
Post by: Rob on May 17, 2013, 10:33:43 AM: I have a buddy who returned at least 3 spot units in a row due to technology failures.

I don't like the ones that require subscription.

I carry an ACR PLB. a bit more expensive up front, but no need to pay monthly subscriptions. CAn't send messages with it, but that's the last thing I want to do in the back country!

I have had mine for about 4 or 5 years and it is time to replace the battery or upgrade to a lighter unit pretty fast...

http://www.acrartex.com/products/catalog/personal-locator-beacons/ (http://www.acrartex.com/products/catalog/personal-locator-beacons/)
Title: Re: Personal Locator Beacon
Post by: 300rum on May 17, 2013, 10:48:26 AM: You can also rent them. Search online.
Title: Re: Personal Locator Beacon
Post by: Stilly bay on May 17, 2013, 10:59:04 AM: I have never had a problem with my spot or the customer service, but I haven't really put them to the test either. I never get lost anyway, just turned around. I was turned around for a week once :chuckle: