Personal Locater Beacons (PLBs)

Seems like this topic hasn’t been discussed for a couple years so was wondering about the latest and greatest with PLBs. Definitely going to get one. Finding yourself in the midst of white caps with a dead radio and no one around makes your wheels turn a bit!

Seems like the inReach is popular, but there are many options.

Thanks all for your input.

Also interested in hearing what folks are using for PLB units. Thought about them a bit, haven’t done research yet.

Seems like this topic hasn’t been discussed for a couple years so was wondering about the latest and greatest with PLBs. Definitely going to get one. Finding yourself in the midst of white caps with a dead radio and no one around makes your wheels turn a bit!

Seems like the inReach is popular, but there are many options.

Thanks all for your input.

Interested, following, but honestly if you're in the ocean in kayak with whitecaps and no one around, then you've made some bad decisions

I use a "Spot" device that I originally purchased for those way off the trail morel mushroom hunts. When I go out on the water I keep in my PFD firmly attached with a para cord tether. I keep it turned off but you can set it on tracking and it will send the route to any emails you set on your account.

It requires a subscription that is a couple hundred a year. Mine is pretty old so it has limited features, with the newer ones you can send text messages. 

They work off of a satellite system so no cell coverage is needed.

Seems like this topic hasn’t been discussed for a couple years so was wondering about the latest and greatest with PLBs. Definitely going to get one. Finding yourself in the midst of white caps with a dead radio and no one around makes your wheels turn a bit!

Seems like the inReach is popular, but there are many options.

Thanks all for your input.

Interested, following, but honestly if you're in the ocean in kayak with whitecaps and no one around, then you've made some bad decisions

Yes, no doubt! Mistake 1, overconfidence in my vhf radio. Had a partner out there with me but radio communications were spotty, due to my radio malfunctioning. Mistake 2, waiting too long before heading in. Knew that winds were predicted to go up in the afternoon, but should’ve head in earlier.

On the plus side, I felt comfortable with the peddle in, the hobie drive is amazing and I keep in shape, and I had my limit of salmon encouraging me to get home quickly and safely.

The thought occurred though - what if something broke? What if I had a health issue? A PLB could be a life saver.

I use a "Spot" device that I originally purchased for those way off the trail morel mushroom hunts. When I go out on the water I keep in my PFD firmly attached with a para cord tether. I keep it turned off but you can set it on tracking and it will send the route to any emails you set on your account.

It requires a subscription that is a couple hundred a year. Mine is pretty old so it has limited features, with the newer ones you can send text messages. 

They work off of a satellite system so no cell coverage is needed.

I've been looking at these devices for those out of cellphone coverage areas when hiking/camping and the Spot as well as a garmin unit I can't remember the name of were my top two. with one of the newer spot units you can send texts, the garmin as well but you have to do it over your smartphone connected to bluetooth which somewhat defeats the purpose for ME, but is still useful.

the garmin is a monthly fee, spot a yearly.

I use inreach because you can get emergency help, non-emergency help, give instruction on what broken part you need brought to you, tell people you're safe or just say goodnight. Being able to text or email and send a distress call is what I want. You can use a cheaper subscription and have fewer messages or higher subscription and free messaging. Plus you can suspend your subscription if you won't be using it.

I'm not an expert, but it's important to understand the differences between a SPOT and a PLB. SPOTS and their ilk have lots of good use cases, including in an emergency. I own a PLB (ACR ResQlink+) because I just want the "everything is gone to shit and I need the cavalry" type of a unit.

I carry it during any outdoor activity where real problems could happen (e.g. longer kayak trip, bikepacking, solo backpacking, 4wd in the desert, etc.). It's not for checking in with the wife or leaving a breadcrumb trail to track your ride down the GDMBR, but when you need very serious, time-sensitive help in a situation you can't deal with yourself. If I ever activate it, I am expecting a sheriff SUV, a coast guard or CHP helicopter, SAR party, etc. to come my way.

Good peace of mind!

Sorry I should have mentioned the units I've been looking at all have this as an SOS function.  they just also have these functionalities of leaving a breadcrum trail/Texting and being able to coordinate with the SOS call.

The Spot X and the Garmin Inreach were the products I was looking at.

EPIRP.  $300-$500 and don't accidentally get it wet. 

I don't have one but I try to carry two radios for redundancy

good subject.

I'm not sure how useful this is but I recently just got the Standard Horizon HX890 which has a distress feature on there. I lift up the cover and hit the button which should send out a distress signal

I'm still debating if this radio is working or not since sometime I hear conversation and sometime I don't lol

Remember to register your DSC radio device, otherwise it won't work.

I own a PLB (ACR ResQlink+) ...

Me too, and I think it's a good option.

...I recently just got the Standard Horizon HX890 which has a distress feature on there. I lift up the cover and hit the button which should send out a distress signal

That's a VHF device, so still line-of-sight, just like your radio. Maybe helpful in some cases, but not really comparable to a PLB...

...I recently just got the Standard Horizon HX890 which has a distress feature on there. I lift up the cover and hit the button which should send out a distress signal

That's a VHF device, so still line-of-sight, just like your radio. Maybe helpful in some cases, but not really comparable to a PLB...

Yeah but coast guard antennas are pretty high, you will lose vhf with nearby boats before you lose signal with CG. Line of sight with CG antennas will still be there , it's just a matter of the power of radio transmit at that point. (Receiving takes less power)

Great thread.... good info... thx


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