spot

[FIGHT ON]

Think I'm gonna get one of these things. or something like it. Right now I don't carry anything but my cell and it wouldn't help if I got bit by a snake (seems like just a matter of time) or got hurt (already did that, but was only 60 yards from a road).
Looking back I've been very lucky. would be kind of embarrassing if I died just because I didn't spend $250.

[physicslord]

Those are neat.

Someone told me there's one that allows you to send short text messages by satellite as well. So in addition to calling for help, you can send a short message saying what's wrong.

Does anyone know what device does that? Or am I crazy.

[zippetydude]

Walt has one and he can tell you all about it. He took it on a couple hikes we just did in Yosemite, and it's pretty impressive. Small, light, and it does have texting capability, although he can tell you the specifics on that. Walt, are you out there?

z

[FIGHT ON]

Walt has one and he can tell you all about it. He took it on a couple hikes we just did in Yosemite, and it's pretty impressive. Small, light, and it does have texting capability, although he can tell you the specifics on that. Walt, are you out there?

z

Zip, you gotta get one. with all that running in the desert and such, you don't give the stupid snake time enough to warn you. at least when I hike I'm making lot's of noise with my hiking poles and going way slower. 250$ to push a button (if) when you get bit!

[zippetydude]

I got a PLB a couple years ago right after Ellen's adventure really brought home the fact that you can be competent and still get stuck in a life threatening situation in a heartbeat.

I had been thinking about it before that because I just missed stepping on a coiled rattler 10 miles up the PCT out of Whitewater heading up towards San G. I was in a deep canyon, no cell reception, and hadn't seen anyone all day. I managed to avoid him, and never did see anyone all the way back. I was jumpy the whole way! I'd prefer the Spot thing, but they didn't have that available (or I was unaware of it) at the time.

I think you'll like it if you get it. I especially like the idea that I enjoy the run more now - I'm not having to worry about surviving if I do get bit.

That being said, I still hate snakes!

z

[FIGHT ON]

That being said, I still hate snakes!

z

me too

[bluerail]

I hate snakes too, but the other day on the trail I came across a rattler that someone had killed and just left there on the trail....oddly upsetting. I do like watching them alot once we know each other wants to leave the other alone.

[FIGHT ON]

[zippetydude]

Call me heartless, but I would find that rather encouraging. One less rattler to worry about stepping on! i prefer them once they have ceased motion permanently! Maybe the person left the rattler out in the open so it could be used as food by hawks. In any case, no sympathy here!

On a positive note, we saw a cool water snake up in Yosemite. I got a couple of pics of it, so I'll try to identify it. I might have been able to wear it out a bit if I'd had a branch nearby to sweep it back away from brush when it came on shore, but I was afraid I'd hurt it, so the pics I got were hurried as it moved pretty quickly.

This seems to really be snake season, we found a rat snake on our patio last week. About 4' long. I had a broom out there, so I could keep it from getting away without hurting it, and it got exhausted after a few minutes. Then I could pick it up by hand. We (the snake and I) walked over to my neighbor's house - he can identify such critters. He said it was a rat snake, and we released it under his shed, where he is quite confident if quickly found a meal. Now there's a snake I can get along with.

z

[Hikin_Jim]

I got a PLB a couple years ago ... I'd prefer the Spot thing, but they didn't have that available (or I was unaware of it) at the time.

The SPOT is more flexible in that it can send messages that indicate less than full emergency, but a PLB is a lot more reliable.

A SPOT is essentially a satellite phone that uses text messages instead of voice. It has to have a pretty clear view of the sky. Deep canyons? Forested areas? The SPOT is notoriously unreliable.

The SPOT is a new, commercial venture. Will it survive in the current economy? It's anyone's guess. If they go belly up, there goes your investment.

The COSPAS-SARSAT program (of which a PLB is part) has been around for a number of years and is run by governments world wide. It was mainly developed for maritime shipping. There would be a huge outcry by well monied interests if they tried to do away with the SAR Satellite program.

The SPOT folks have come under some criticism for the way in which they've handled "911" signals. In some cases they've fumbled around not knowing who to contact. On the other hand, the US Air Force handles PLB distress signals in the US. The Air Force has been in the SAR business for a long long time. They devote a lot of time, money, and effort to the subject, and they're very proficient.

A McMurdo FastFind PLB can be had for about $300.00 and requires no subscription. A SPOT costs about half that but requires a $99.00/year subscription. The FastFind will be cheaper over as little as a three year period. The FastFind is also slightly lighter (about 5 oz vs about 7oz).

Particularly with the new generation of lightweight, less expensive PLB's made by McMurdo, I think the reliability (both in technical respects as well as long term prospects for it still being available) of a PLB outweigh the flexibility of the SPOT, but that's just my perspective.

Lastly, SPOT is coming out with a "new, improved" version, supposedly available this fall. If you're considering a SPOT, I'd definitely wait until the new version comes out.

Initial Evaluation -- 2nd Generation McMurdo FastFind.

Some info on the 2nd Generation SPOT.