[pct-l] SPOT messenger vs McMurdo PLB

[Edward Anderson]

John, 
While I never used the 911 button, and I seriously doubt that I will ever need 
it,  but - having that possibility along is smart.  John Donovan was a very 
experienced hiker - and yet, he lost the trail in the snow.  He would still be 
alive and hiking again this year if he had brought along a SPOT. In fairness to 
his memory, the SPOT was not on the market yet when he died.  It is now - and 
only a fool would not bring one, or some other reliable rescue signaling device. 


Think about this:  The successful TV program "I Shouldn't be Alive" would not 
exist if all of those people had had a way of calling for rescue.

MendoRider




________________________________
From: John Abela <pacificcresttrail2011 at gmail.com>
To: Toby Maxwell <tmm19 at geneseo.edu>
Cc: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Sun, March 27, 2011 9:11:35 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] SPOT messenger vs McMurdo PLB

99% of going with a SPOT is about "peace of mind back home"

If that is something that is not important to do, save yourself some
weight and do not buy either of them. On the PCT you are rarely going
to go a day w/o seeing somebody unless you are out in the front of the
pack.

Solution solved.


On Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 9:03 AM, Toby Maxwell <tmm19 at geneseo.edu> wrote:
> Hmmm, seems like while they are definitely different tools, I may be
> inclined to go the PLB route.  I think there's probably a lot of reasons to
> go either way, but I kind of like that I will not be obligated to check in
> all of the time.  I was initially reluctant to consider carrying either of
> these because of trying to avoid technology on the trail.   It seems to me
> that one of the largest perks of the PLB is that there is
> no subscription ever which makes it the sort of thing that will get
> continually brought on backcountry adventures as opposed to the SPOT which
> could become useless if my wallet is feeling a little too ultralight.
>  thanks for the great advice!
>
> -Toby
>
> On Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 9:07 PM, Paul Robison 
<paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com>wrote:
>
>> My spot has only failed to send one message and it was in a moving car.  It
>> told me immediately that it failed to send.
>>
>> Also I use the tracks and used it rim to rim on the grand canyon never lost
>> service.
>>
>> It's not as good for rescue as a 'real plb' ... But it's 100 times better
>> than nothing.  Anywhere the pct is,  I feel it would suffice,  when combined
>> with effective back country skills,  and a knowledge of good signal
>> techniques when they get close; you'll be fine...
>>
>> My humble opine...
>>
>> Sent from my iPod
>>
>> On 2011-03-26, at 8:37 PM, Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>> > Hi Toby,
>> > I was completely satisfied with my SPOT. During over five months on the
>> PCT all
>> > of my OK messages got through,  That gave my wife real peace of mind. I
>> sent a
>> > message from every location - one every day when I got to camp.
>> > MendoRider
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ________________________________
>> > From: Toby Maxwell <tmm19 at geneseo.edu>
>> > To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> > Sent: Sat, March 26, 2011 2:30:05 PM
>> > Subject: [pct-l] SPOT messenger vs McMurdo PLB
>> >
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > I was curious if anybody has used this 'McMurdo' Personal Location Becon
>> > (PLB) device.  After doing some research on the SPOT messenger, it seems
>> > there are some mediocre reviews and that, while it has more features, the
>> > subscription may be a pain and that people have experienced issues with
>> it
>> > getting signal etc.  This PLB does not require a subscription, but is a
>> > little less fancy, and according to some, much more reliable.  If anybody
>> > has experience with either, it'd be great to hear about, it'll also no
>> doubt
>> > make my mom a happier person...  thanks!
>> >
>> > heres links to both;
>> > McMurdo:http://www.rei.com/product/791972
>> > SPOT:
>> >
>>http://www.amazon.com/SPOT-Satellite-Messenger-Orange-Black/dp/B002PHRDO2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1301174788&sr=8-2
>>2
>> >
>> >
>> > thanks,
>> >
>> >
>> > -Toby
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> >
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-- 
John B. Abela
www.RedwoodOutdoors.Com

In God's wildness lies the hope of the world - the great fresh
unblighted, unredeemed wilderness. The galling harness of civilization
drops off, and wounds heal ere we are aware. ~ John Muir
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