SPOT or ACR emergency location device experience

[BoonDockinSummit]

Well I am set on getting an emergency locator device, seems to be the next logical thing to add to my list of safety gear. I have seen mixed reviews on success of each device. Since SW has a forum for users of SPOT I thought I would at least get a snowmobilers perspective on at least one of the devices. I participate in other activities so it has the potential of being used year around.

Now that you have one do you feel like you cant live without it?

Do any of you run with a different brand?

Did anyone buy one and thought they just purchased an expensive paper weight?

I have read up on what basics/differences the SPOT Gen 3 and ACR ResQlink 406 offer but any other input would be great. I'm leaning towards picking up the ACR unit because of the no subscription and better chance of signal being sent out which I guess out weighs the bread crumb feature that I like which SPOT offers.

 

[Scott]

I had the original Spot when it came out. It was fine. But when they put out the Spot Connect, I jumped on that.

I like the ability to type a custom message in the field.

 

[calltrex]

I have the spot 2nd gen. Worked great. Used the breadcrumb every time

Selling it for $60 shipped if interested

Was $150

 

[newmy1]

I've had all three version. Does what it's marketed to do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Trax 2 Treadz]

We started out with a SPOT, found that coverage was intermittent on the north side of mountain faces when bread crumbing.
Used it for an emergency one time, first thing we found was that not having any feedback as to whether the signal was received or not was not much fun. Next thing we found is that the SPOT center called the closest RCMP detachment and left them with the GPS coordinates. Bad part is the RCMP seemed to have no idea what to do with them. Good thing was the RCMP called our emergency contact, whom promptly got on the phone contacted a local (to the area we were in) survey company whom then called the RCMP and gave them directions on how to find us.
We moved over to inReach after that experience, being able to text out what is actually going on and being able to receive text’s back is a big piece on mind. Only problem is inReach and the Bluetooth connection is kind of flaky.

 

[black swan]

The SPOT is the only unit that will send the authorities your actual lat/long from YOUR device. This saves looking for a needle in a haystack, and give the responders the confidence to look in blizzard conditions.

A 406 beacon does not send any usable info, it simply sends a signal to 2 or more NOAA satelites and they try to triangulate your location. This method is horrible unless your at sea. In the moutains the estimation of location can be off by miles!

Each SPOT has a gps receiver that sends its ACTUAL location to your loved ones or authorities. Eliminating hours of lost time.. The spot will continue to send the location every 10minutes till turned off. each time that update is sent, SPOT forwards it to your responders.

And if your subscription is expired, SPOT's 911 function is still available regardless.

hope this helps, documented rescues.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/spotemergency/index.php?limitstart=40

 

[BoonDockinSummit]

The SPOT is the only unit that will send the authorities your actual lat/long from YOUR device. This saves looking for a needle in a haystack, and give the responders the confidence to look in blizzard conditions.

A 406 beacon does not send any usable info, it simply sends a signal to 2 or more NOAA satelites and they try to triangulate your location. This method is horrible unless your at sea. In the moutains the estimation of location can be off by miles!

Each SPOT has a gps receiver that sends its ACTUAL location to your loved ones or authorities. Eliminating hours of lost time.. The spot will continue to send the location every 10minutes till turned off. each time that update is sent, SPOT forwards it to your responders.

And if your subscription is expired, SPOT's 911 function is still available regardless.

hope this helps, documented rescues.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/spotemergency/index.php?limitstart=40

I want to like the SPOT because of the texting and bread crumb ability that the 406's do not. The newer 406 PLB have the GPS signal to accurately locate like the SPOT in addition to the 406 mhz and a 121.5 mhz homing single. If you asked me an hour ago I would have bought the SPOT but now after looking some more I'm leaning towards the ACR again. They both do the same thing as far as trying to get a SAR started but seem to go at it two completely different ways of initiating the process. I do travel internationally roughly once ever 3 years so I guess thats another selling point for the 406 system. Still like to hear all the good things about the SPOT and remain open as to which one I will purchase.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTUQOWhyYAs

http://www.plbreview.com/personal-locator-beacon-articles/

 

[norsepeak]

I've got the SPOT connect, seems to work good, I've used it in several western states sending messages back home to let everyone know that things are going good and it's worked well. I like the idea of the inreach being able to send and receive messages and I think it has a better satelite system (inreach uses iridium system). I like the spot connect, but if I did it over again, I'd go with the in Inreach.

 

[christopher]

I started with the SPOT 2 and upgraded to the SPOT 3 this year.
I love the thing.
I use the integration we offer all of our Premium Members on SnoWest to track my movements over the course of the day and display them here for friends to follow along.

I also use the "OK" button to let the wife know "ALL IS WELL" if we stay out too late and the "Help" button to alert a specif rider buddy if we need assistance getting off the mountain but NOT formal rescue.

All in all I like the device quite a bit.
Only real drawback is the cost of the yearly subscription.
But if you are CAREFUL and pay attention, they offer discounts off the subscription every year.

Being Paranoid, I also carry a GPS encoded PLB as well though as a "Failsafe" device just in case...

 

[dukabor]

question on these devices....

are there any known signal interference issues with avy beacons ?

 

[old sledder]

spot satelite phone

I am carrying a spot gen 3 just for the tracking feature and am also carrying a spot satellite phone. Had to use my spot for help a while back and it worked perfectly, but the phone would have been much better. The phone is only $400. and subscriptions are reasonable. Well worth the money.

 

[sledheadd]

I am carrying a spot gen 3 just for the tracking feature and am also carrying a spot satellite phone. Had to use my spot for help a while back and it worked perfectly, but the phone would have been much better. The phone is only $400. and subscriptions are reasonable. Well worth the money.

I have the same setup sat phone and spot. I like the insurance that spot offers their customers.
http://www.findmespot.ca/en/index.php?cid=104

 

[BigFish BC]

the inreach se is the best out now, no need for a cell phone if you want to text & does everything the spot does with better coverage.
http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/inreachse.php

 

[BoonDockinSummit]

I found this side by side comparison, spells out the pros/cons of each. It was done February of 2013, Inreach and Spot have upgraded their equipment since the review but still helps weigh the options of whats more important to an individuals needs.

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Personal-Locator-Beacon-Reviews#bicreview