PLBs while hunting, fishing, etc.

[hogpatrol]

Informal poll, how many hunters are using a PLB when out in the wilds? I hunt and fish solo a lot so I've been carrying one since I turned 60. They aren't cheap but could save your butt if you were hurt or worse.

 

[JRS]

I too hunt solo most of the time, and traveled as far as 100 miles offshore when fishing. I have carried a PLB for quite some time. IMO, it is a very wise thing to do!

 

[jonbearman]

What is a plb?

 

[JRS]

Personal Locator Beacon. I use a high end ACR.

 

[GSPV]

Mine is called "Find My iPhone"

 

[jonbearman]

What kind of money are they? I know its worth it but just curious and where do you get them.

 

[CJ6]

Mine is the wife. I tell her where I'm going and when I'll be back.

 

[JRS]

Jon:

The GPSstore.com stocks a number of versions.

 

[hogpatrol]

Mine is the wife. I tell her where I'm going and when I'll be back.

Good luck with that. While she's at the mall, you're lying in a creek somewhere with a broken leg. Seriously, What about the time in between? You could be frozen solid by the time you were supposed to return.
(That actually happened to a friend's father. They had to carry him down the mountain frozen in a sitting position with the unloaded rifle cradled in his arms.)

Jon, Amazon has them in the range of 250-400 but there are other online vendors that have them.
http://www.amazon.com/ACR-PLB-375-ResQLink-Personal-Locating/dp/B006JXY0CQ

 

[TheOtherZilla]

My phone has a google app that shows my location. But I have been looking at PLB's for a while now.. Don't care for SPOT, but have been looking at ACR 406 or the RescueMe units..

 

[TheOtherZilla]

What kind of money are they? I know its worth it but just curious and where do you get them.

I see em from ~$100 + subscription [SPOT] to ~$400 for the ACR 406 type units.. SPOT requires a yearly subscription, the 406 models are a one time deal.. The 406's have faster acquisition and response times.. Local sherrifs and SAR units also get the 406 signals AFAIK

REI has em, and they can be found online.. Amazon, etc..


FYI here's a good article to read up on PLB's
http://www.rockymountainrescue.org/about_PLBs.php

 

[CJ6]

Mine is the wife. I tell her where I'm going and when I'll be back.

Good luck with that. While she's at the mall, you're lying in a creek somewhere with a broken leg. Seriously, What about the time in between? You could be frozen solid by the time you were supposed to return.
(That actually happened to a friend's father. They had to carry him down the mountain frozen in a sitting position with the unloaded rifle cradled in his arms.)


http://www.amazon.com/ACR-PLB-375-ResQLink-Personal-Locating/dp/B006JXY0CQ

Well.. I've had a full life... I'm not sweating the small stuff (The Life Ins. policy is split amongst the kids) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[AKShooter]

I'm in AK but for me it's a sat phone. Nothing better than being able to speak to someone. I have a spot but have never activated it. I keep hoping for a reasonable way to own one. But for now I just rent......

 

[TikkaSporter]

I use them for offshore fishing and hunting. I have both the SPOT and the McMurdo PLB units. As I understand it the PLB's use the government/military satellite system (more reliable and better maintained), while the SPOT uses a private satellite system. Either way, having two units that utilize two different satellite systems gives me the redundancy that I want when I'm 75 miles offshore in 55 degree, shark infested water.

The PLB is something that you buy and do not have annual subscription fees to deal with. Your distress activation does not get screened through a private call center, before going to authorities (this is important when minutes are the difference between life and death). Most PLB's (or all when I researched them) only have one button/one level of distess to activate, and it better be life-or-death if you do it.

I hate the annual fee for the SPOT, but my wife loves the 'I'm OK, checking in' button. There are a few other customizable buttons that are handy... A few of mine are:

Offshore Profile:

- running late, extend float plan
- mechanical issues, not immediately life threatening, send help

Hunting Profile:

- got one down/running late
- stuck or broken down, need help

When I hunt alone at least one of them is in my pocket at all times...

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I did some more research. The 406 PLB's do require a battery replacement like every 5 years [$150].
For $40/year the ACR LINK units have a message deal similar to spot's..

 

[spencerhenry]

i was once asked what would happen to me if i had some kind of emergency while out in the wilderness.

the person asking is a former Miss USA, a city person.

i told her that if i had a problem and could not get myself out, that i hoped the bears, coyotes and other predators would consume me and continue the cycle of life.

she was aghast, but i was telling the truth!

 

[idahoorion]

I've used a spot since they came out, four or five of us have em, Haven't used them for other than the checking yet, but you never know. Most of the good hunting and fishing in Idaho has no cell, eastern Oregon the same. If you break down or go down you'll be there for a long while. On extended trips you and check in to show progress or just make everybody breathe easier

Idahoorion

 

[joshb]

I take my plb every time I'm in my boat, fishing or out in the woods. Just makes sense. Goes in the pack with the flare gun, just to be sure.

 

[wyoming .260]

i was once asked what would happen to me if i had some kind of emergency while out in the wilderness.

the person asking is a former Miss USA, a city person.

i told her that if i had a problem and could not get myself out, that i hoped the bears, coyotes and other predators would consume me and continue the cycle of life.

she was aghast, but i was telling the truth!

Yeah if I died on the mountain here ,My wife might not like it , but I would glad the Lord took me home while I was doing what I loved.

 

[wapiti25]

I use a SPOT, my safety is worth a $100 per year.