Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => All Other Gear => Topic started by: Ghost Hunter on September 18, 2015, 08:21:39 PM

Title: PLB's
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 18, 2015, 08:21:39 PM: Who's carrying a PLB and what type? Been looking at them for a couple of seasons. Decided to go with an ACR. Cost a little more than the SPOT but no fees. Hope I never have the need but think it will give me the reassurance to hunt alone in more remote areas.
Title: Re: PLB's
Post by: KFhunter on September 18, 2015, 08:41:45 PM: I think you made a good choice, unless SPOT has improved a bunch over the 1st ones.

I rushed to the store and bought one of the first SPOT's to hit the market, it was spotty and you never really got a confirmation that your message went through. I really wanted it to work so went out of my way to make sure I got the most from it. I even had troubles standing at the peak of a 7000' mountain on a blue bird day at zero degrees, lot's of mountain peaks actually. I let the subscription expire and the SPOT unit is floating around in a bin full of other electronic gizmo's that have likewise outlived their usefulness.
Title: Re: PLB's
Post by: CAMPMEAT on September 18, 2015, 08:58:06 PM: I have the ACR as well. For your reasons too, no subscriptions and it's registered to you only.
Title: Re: PLB's
Post by: ghosthunter on September 19, 2015, 06:45:58 AM: Quote from: KFhunter on September 18, 2015, 08:41:45 PM
I think you made a good choice, unless SPOT has improved a bunch over the 1st ones.

I rushed to the store and bought one of the first SPOT's to hit the market, it was spotty and you never really got a confirmation that your message went through. I really wanted it to work so went out of my way to make sure I got the most from it. I even had troubles standing at the peak of a 7000' mountain on a blue bird day at zero degrees, lot's of mountain peaks actually. I let the subscription expire and the SPOT unit is floating around in a bin full of other electronic gizmo's that have likewise outlived their usefulness.

I have a newer spot ,three years old maybe. The reason is I hunt alone a lot. My wife wants to know I am ok. So I have the spot set up to send a "I am hunting here today Message" and when I get back to camp for the night I send the custom message which says"I am ok and in camp for the night. I dont use the tracking. Mine works good I think, Because where there is cell service I receive the message on my phone.
I also have it go to my email both work and home. I have compared the send times and receive times when I got back and they run any where from 5-10 minutes most the time.

So I guess it depends on your goal. To get help when you need it? Or reassure the family? Or both?
If I were going out of country I might consider the PLB's though.
Title: Re: PLB's
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 19, 2015, 10:22:59 PM: I figure if the wife isn't getting a call from SAR she can assume I'm ok. :o :hello: I check in when I can by cell. Generally it's me finding out something wrong at home :dunno: :yike:
Title: Re: PLB's
Post by: ghosthunter on September 19, 2015, 10:39:06 PM: Quote from: Ghost Hunter on September 19, 2015, 10:22:59 PM
I figure if the wife isn't getting a call from SAR she can assume I'm ok. :o :hello: I check in when I can by cell. Generally it's me finding out something wrong at home :dunno: :yike:

I don't check in for that reason. I tell them all I have no cell service.
Title: Re: PLB's
Post by: Stein on September 21, 2015, 05:11:12 AM: I carry an ACR, just a few ounces and direct to the cavalry. I use it for hunting and on the boat.
Title: Re: PLB's
Post by: sneakyjake on September 21, 2015, 08:45:06 AM: Ditto
Title: Re: PLB's
Post by: Bob33 on September 21, 2015, 08:59:15 AM: When it's a matter of life or death, a PLB is the way to go.