[pct-l] SPOT messenger vs McMurdo PLB

Sun Mar 27 12:13:01 CDT 2011

Last year I had several other thrus who made fun of me for carrying a spot2. ...  I am glad to see someone else out there sees it how I do...  I feel like ultralight has gone too far.

Besides ... Automatically putting your location on Facebook is pretty cool for your family... 

Sent from my iPod

On 2011-03-27, at 12:57 PM, Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com> wrote:

> 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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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 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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