PLBs

Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
I used to have the Spot messenger. Mainly for group work but I decided to get rid of it and use a PLB. I find that with good forward planning and risk assessments and dynamic risk assessments when out all but the most unexpected situations can be managed without needing to communicate to anyone at home. If a proper emergency occurs then I/they would use the PLB.
 
Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
Further down the page it has details for 'credits'....

Data Plan
No Activation Fee. No Contract. Cancel Anytime.
$17.99/mo Base Plan

  • 30 day connection to the satellite network
  • Includes 10 credits
  • SOS monitoring
  • Dedicated phone number
  • Access to detailed downloadable maps
  • Unused credits roll over when user continues monthly base plan
  • Bivystick still works after all credits are used at a rate of $.50ea
  • Additional credit packs available at a discount
Or $59.99/mo for Unlimited Credits
 
TinTin

TinTin

Thru Hiker
To make it equivalent to the Garmin InReach mini Recreation Plan, which is the one I'd go for, you'd need to take the unlimited credits plan. I don't think the base plan is feasible at all for what I'd want.

It is twice as heavy as the Garmin device but it has a 5200 mAh battery in it to charge your phone. I think this is because it relies on using your phone via BlueTooth for some of the functions.

From a brief look it doesn't pull me away from a Garmin Inreach as my most probable choice.
 
TinTin

TinTin

Thru Hiker
This is freom the Braemar Mountain Rescue Facebook page re PLB location accuracy.

"Braemar Mountain Rescue
6 January at 09:31
PLBs (personal location beacons); they are not commonly used in the hills but there was on used by the casualties on the Callater call-out we had on Saturday evening. Worth noting that the reference returned was approximately 9km west of where the incident occurred; so if you do have one of these, and perhaps it has never been checked since you bought it, perhaps it is worth getting it checked out via the distributor/manufacturer."
 
Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
That’s not good. I test mine every month. Not sure what that does but hopefully it’s worth it!
 
Michael_x

Michael_x

Section Hiker
PhilHo said:
This is freom the Braemar Mountain Rescue Facebook page re PLB location accuracy.

"Braemar Mountain Rescue
6 January at 09:31
PLBs (personal location beacons); they are not commonly used in the hills but there was on used by the casualties on the Callater call-out we had on Saturday evening. Worth noting that the reference returned was approximately 9km west of where the incident occurred; so if you do have one of these, and perhaps it has never been checked since you bought it, perhaps it is worth getting it checked out via the distributor/manufacturer."
Click to expand...

That's really interesting and puzzling. I have a reasonable understanding of GNSS's and can't see how such a big error would occur with the technology.

First thought was maybe someone tried to convert from lat/long to OS grid without also changing from WGS84 to OSGM36 (*) but 9km, even if significant altitudes involved, no way. Of course there are other ways to get that wrong too.

Still I'd put my money on human error somewhere within or between the cospas-sarsat control centre and the mountain rescue team.

As for getting a PLB checked they all have internal diagnostics and come with instructions on how to run those. Folk should obviously do that at appropriate intervals.

It's actually a very worrying report. PLB's are almost idiot proof and very reliable tech that's been around a long time. If anyone has further information on this incident or a good theory as how this 9km error happened do share, please.

* Yes, I have done this myself once. Over ten years back I forgot to switch a GPSr from OS to WGS 84 when using it in the Ardenne. Instead of ending up at a small bridge by a stream it took my to the booze section of Vielsalm SPAR a few hundred metres away. Oops indeed. In my defence it was back when I was a map and compass user and woefully ignorant of GPS usage, etc. Trouble is GPS seems so simple to use, it just works, until it doesn't.
 
Balagan

Balagan

Thru Hiker
Michael_x said:
That's really interesting and puzzling. I have a reasonable understanding of GNSS's and can't see how such a big error would occur with the technology.

First thought was maybe someone tried to convert from lat/long to OS grid without also changing from WGS84 to OSGM36 (*) but 9km, even if significant altitudes involved, no way. Of course there are other ways to get that wrong too.

Still I'd put my money on human error somewhere within or between the cospas-sarsat control centre and the mountain rescue team.

As for getting a PLB checked they all have internal diagnostics and come with instructions on how to run those. Folk should obviously do that at appropriate intervals.

It's actually a very worrying report. PLB's are almost idiot proof and very reliable tech that's been around a long time. If anyone has further information on this incident or a good theory as how this 9km error happened do share, please.

* Yes, I have done this myself once. Over ten years back I forgot to switch a GPSr from OS to WGS 84 when using it in the Ardenne. Instead of ending up at a small bridge by a stream it took my to the booze section of Vielsalm SPAR a few hundred metres away. Oops indeed. In my defence it was back when I was a map and compass user and woefully ignorant of GPS usage, etc. Trouble is GPS seems so simple to use, it just works, until it doesn't.
Click to expand...
This blog by a Canadian SAR volunteer has some good (if dated) stuff on the practical limits of PLBs in certain conditions, including one particular mission with a huge location error. In this case, I'd wager the fix was radio only with no or outdated GPS info.
 
SteG

SteG

Thru Hiker
It's been two years since this thread started and I'm wondering what people's thoughts about carrying a PLB or the inreach in particular are? Do you still feel the same since you commented on this thread, whether for or against or have you changed your mind?
I plan on exploring and testing myself more over the next couple of years and start building up more experience ect. I will be back packing but I will be seeing it more as challenging day walks (moorland,hills off the path ect) in a row and just getting my head down,rather than about the camping. I do want to be able to keep in touch with family and reassure and some places here in Wales still have very poor signal if any at all. It also an other layer of safety in my eyes, yet I am still pondering on whether to send the inreach mini back that I've bought as I'm not 100% convinced it's worth it, I can only answer that of course, so I'm not looking for advice as such, just interested to hear other people's similar experience of contemplation and what they decided.
 
Nigelp

Nigelp

Thru Hiker
I still use the PLB and find most of the time during any 24hr period I can find signal at least once to check in with home. Usually the signal is good a few times a day. The PLB is for emergencies and my other half is used to me checking in infrequently.
 
oreocereus

oreocereus

Thru Hiker
I feel the same. I don't go out for a hike/tramp to be in contact with my everyday life, so the only reason I need to use a device like this is if I need to call for a rescue. A proper PLB, as opposed to something that allows more complicated messaging, does that and is more reliable* at doing so, without opening the door to expectations (or temptations) to communicate directly with loved ones.

So a PLB is safer and more reliable, without eroding the very reason I want to go on a hike.

I also would loathe to be paying into any of the subscription models.

I understand why others want more nuanced communication abilities, of course.
 
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Charlie83

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
I would maybe at a push get a plb, not really looked at them but it would need to be small and light.

There's pretty much nowhere in the UK I will be out of mobile coverage (or not see civilisation of some sort) for more than 4 or 5 days (even that's stretching it tbh) so I have no need of another communicator device, especially at the price a subscription is.

If I was on the pct, I'd get an inreach. Saw a chap on the WHW last year with an inreach, going by his gear I'd guess at him also using the baggage service, that's pretty hard-core.
 
H

Hd8ekownio24ugh5

Thru Hiker
Depends on your needs and location I'd say and obviously the risks (real and perceived) SteG. I don't use my Inreach for anything other than dropping a Preset SMS frequently to someone, so I know, they know where I am-at least at the time of the message. That is absolute gold. I've never once been contacted on it even though my two recipients can if there's an emergency. They tap a button on their mobile send via text-we tested it when I was in a rock gully at app 1800 m etc never failed. I still only have the basic plan with the free send as many 'preset texts'. I also have the big clunky (cheaper) one (195 gms) that I prefer for manual use reasons- if the shiiit hit the fan-I'm not relying on texting on a bloody phone. Sits in my bottle pocket behind my hip on the rucksack, on a lanyard. Pull it out at will, even while I'm walking without stopping, press message-"zipping along nicely- great day", "Smoko- view is shiiit", press 'send', put back and go on-takes about 5 seconds. The peace of mind is worth it for me-and my recipients. ps-I owned a PLB for many years and sold it for almost what I paid.
 
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Davy

Davy

Thru Hiker
My Inreach Mini arrived today. Now need to do the homework to set up the subscription and understand how it works... It is dinky...
 
dovidola

dovidola

Thru Hiker
Had my basic (rescue only) PLB for several years and never used it (obvs). Yes, it's reassuring to know that if I'm immobilised by a broken leg or somesuch in remote signal-less country I won't die a lingering agonising death over the course of several days thinking about why I should have got myself a PLB. Worth 116g? S'pose so...
 
oreocereus

oreocereus

Thru Hiker
Charlie83 said:
I would maybe at a push get a plb, not really looked at them but it would need to be small and light.

There's pretty much nowhere in the UK I will be out of mobile coverage (or not see civilisation of some sort) for more than 4 or 5 days (even that's stretching it tbh) so I have no need of another communicator device, especially at the price a subscription is.

If I was on the pct, I'd get an inreach. Saw a chap on the WHW last year with an inreach, going by his gear I'd guess at him also using the baggage service, that's pretty hard-core.
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My OceanSignal PLB is 114g. I got it a few years ago, so there may be lighter ones now.

It depends a lot where you hike. I didn't hike as much as I'd have liked in the UK, but I found my phone rarely had coverage? Especially in places that I might've needed emergency help, there was usually no coverage.
Possibly that was my network choice and/or my phone being pretty old.

Back in New Zealand, coverage is unlikely in most places. These days I only bother bringing my phone if I need to arrange a lift at one end or the other.
 
Balagan

Balagan

Thru Hiker
Still happy with my PLB and will have the battery replaced when it expires in a few years' time rather than buy an InReach. I can see the attraction of two-way coms and weather reports but I can live with phone comms every few days, as does the family. I might get an Inreach if I was off for, say, a month-long hike with spotty phone coverage but I have a fair while before I join the "us pensioners" club...
 
Charlie83

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
Whiteburn said:
Likewise (the Ocean Signal - PL1), it does what I need at minimal weight.
Click to expand...
That's more like something I might be interested in. :finger:

Would ask for it for Xmas, but a bit sh*t getting something that once opened just gets stuck away in a bag for the next 7 years (hopefully...)

Might just start the mind games so someone buys it for me so THEY have piece of mind:whistling:
 
OwenM

OwenM

Thru Hiker
I have both, I got the PLB first for when I go sea kayaking. You can get out of mobile range very quickly. Then they approved PLB's for use on land so I started carrying it on long walks.

I got the inreach when I went to Sarek, there is absolutely no signal up there. I now carry it instead of the PLB as it give two way messaging. Not so much for emergencies but for when I change my plans. It is really a bit overkill for walking in Scotland but I have it now so might as well use it.

I still carry the PLB when I go kayaking, you can activate it one handed while swimming. I did change the battery a while back, cost nearly as much as a new one.
 
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