Rescue beacon/satellite messenger: recs, advice?
July 4, 2015 5:29 PM Subscribe
Mr. S and I will be embarking on a motorcycle trip throughout the Southwest (US) in September, and, being a native of the crowded Northeast, I'm a bit intimidated by the Wide Open Spaces. Also I have an anxiety disorder.
Although we're sticking to paved roads (blue highways, not superslab), I'm jittery about the possibility of worst-case scenarios in remote areas without cell coverage. I've been reading reviews and comparisons of satellite messengers (e.g., Spot) vs. PLBs (e.g., ResQLink), but I'm not a gadgety person and I'm having a hard time sorting out what I want, should have, or need. I'm also a huge cheapskate and am trying not to just go for what's least expensive. Can any adventurous Mefites a) explain it all to me like I'm five and b) recommend me one of these contraptions? I should mention that we're experienced motorcyclists, we have roadside assistance through the insurance company and Mr. S is a master mechanic, so when I say "worst-case scenario" I'm talking about incapacitating accidents or injuries. I should also mention that we travel with paper maps, thank you, so will have no other GPS capability.
Although we're sticking to paved roads (blue highways, not superslab), I'm jittery about the possibility of worst-case scenarios in remote areas without cell coverage. I've been reading reviews and comparisons of satellite messengers (e.g., Spot) vs. PLBs (e.g., ResQLink), but I'm not a gadgety person and I'm having a hard time sorting out what I want, should have, or need. I'm also a huge cheapskate and am trying not to just go for what's least expensive. Can any adventurous Mefites a) explain it all to me like I'm five and b) recommend me one of these contraptions? I should mention that we're experienced motorcyclists, we have roadside assistance through the insurance company and Mr. S is a master mechanic, so when I say "worst-case scenario" I'm talking about incapacitating accidents or injuries. I should also mention that we travel with paper maps, thank you, so will have no other GPS capability.
There's three parts to these products: the physical device, the (monthly) service and the features afforded by the service. The devices get better every year in order to flesh out features, so you can buy a used first or second gen Spot device for quite cheap, sometimes even for free.
The service can usually be purchased on a per month basis, which is nice if you only need it in the summer, for example. Basic service will allow you to push a button and send a distress signal, from which search and rescue will be deployed, features beyond that usually allow you to send "check-in" messages, that might send an SMS or email link to map coordinates of where you last checked in. These used to be manual but are now more and more automatic, and the newer devices do a better job and only checking in when you change positions in order for the battery to last longer.
Another popular feature is having a companion app for your iPhone/Android device that lets you send texts/tweets via your service, so that you can send brief messages or status updates, usually with coordinates appended.
posted by furtive at 7:30 PM on July 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
The service can usually be purchased on a per month basis, which is nice if you only need it in the summer, for example. Basic service will allow you to push a button and send a distress signal, from which search and rescue will be deployed, features beyond that usually allow you to send "check-in" messages, that might send an SMS or email link to map coordinates of where you last checked in. These used to be manual but are now more and more automatic, and the newer devices do a better job and only checking in when you change positions in order for the battery to last longer.
Another popular feature is having a companion app for your iPhone/Android device that lets you send texts/tweets via your service, so that you can send brief messages or status updates, usually with coordinates appended.
posted by furtive at 7:30 PM on July 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
It doesn't sound like you need anything other than emergency beacon functionality. A PLB is cheaper in the long term than a Spot (you have to pay for at least 12 months with Spot). I suppose if you were not planning to use the device beyond this one trip, a Spot might be cheaper, but if you want to use this long term, a PLB is definitely a better choice.
Evidence is anecdotal, but the Spot does not appear to be a reliable as a PLB (the Spot is a commercial service, the PLB uses an international governmental system, which is also used for ships and planes). PLBs definitely transmit a much stronger signal.
posted by ssg at 8:29 PM on July 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
Evidence is anecdotal, but the Spot does not appear to be a reliable as a PLB (the Spot is a commercial service, the PLB uses an international governmental system, which is also used for ships and planes). PLBs definitely transmit a much stronger signal.
posted by ssg at 8:29 PM on July 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
2nding everybody above me. I just recently researched this for a long distance solo motorcycle trip I'm taking this fall and have decided to go with neither. I have a few friends with the Spot and it works well enough for them. However, as a Peace of Mind expense/gadget the PLB is definitely more dependable (in a few ways) and lower cost over time. I will probably use a tracking app where I can share my location with friends/family. If they cross check it with my planned itinerary and my instagram feed :-) they should be able to tell if I've dropped off a cliff and stopped moving for a suspiciously long time. I'm not, however, sharing that data with one of my more anxious friends because I think it would actually invite more worry for her.
Since there are two of you going, I'm going to recommend that at least one of you get some Accident Scene Management training. I think it would be far more useful than a beacon in most of the real-world scenarios you'd deal with. Many riders also supplement their existing medical ins./coverage for the duration of the trip to handle medevac and transport to their home town, stuff like that.
Have fun!
posted by cocoagirl at 9:21 PM on July 4, 2015 [2 favorites]
Since there are two of you going, I'm going to recommend that at least one of you get some Accident Scene Management training. I think it would be far more useful than a beacon in most of the real-world scenarios you'd deal with. Many riders also supplement their existing medical ins./coverage for the duration of the trip to handle medevac and transport to their home town, stuff like that.
Have fun!
posted by cocoagirl at 9:21 PM on July 4, 2015 [2 favorites]
Maybe you want to RENT a sat phone for the duration of your trip?
posted by kschang at 10:38 PM on July 4, 2015
posted by kschang at 10:38 PM on July 4, 2015
I have a DeLorme InReach 2-way communicator which I use for solo backpacking and hiking trips.
In addition to being able to send and receive text messages, it can be programmed to upload your position to the network every 15 minutes. It also has a "SOS" button which will automatically contact search and rescue. The device itself is rather spendy and then you need a data plan as well. The data plan can be purchased on a month-by-month basis.
While the texting interface is clumsy for anyone used to a modern smartphone, you can pair it with an Android phone or iPhone to make things simpler.
When I was doing my research, I found that some devices are only one-way and you don't know for sure that your message went through. The DeLorme lets you know affirmatively that your message was sent. Satellite coverage is good all over the US, but you do need a clear line of sight to the sky for it to work. I've used mine when backpacking in Oregon and it has been reliable. I haven't taken exceptional measures to get a clear line of sight (have used it in some tree coverage but no heavy dense woods).
Good luck with your trip -- it sounds great!
posted by elmay at 7:31 AM on July 5, 2015
In addition to being able to send and receive text messages, it can be programmed to upload your position to the network every 15 minutes. It also has a "SOS" button which will automatically contact search and rescue. The device itself is rather spendy and then you need a data plan as well. The data plan can be purchased on a month-by-month basis.
While the texting interface is clumsy for anyone used to a modern smartphone, you can pair it with an Android phone or iPhone to make things simpler.
When I was doing my research, I found that some devices are only one-way and you don't know for sure that your message went through. The DeLorme lets you know affirmatively that your message was sent. Satellite coverage is good all over the US, but you do need a clear line of sight to the sky for it to work. I've used mine when backpacking in Oregon and it has been reliable. I haven't taken exceptional measures to get a clear line of sight (have used it in some tree coverage but no heavy dense woods).
Good luck with your trip -- it sounds great!
posted by elmay at 7:31 AM on July 5, 2015
Same as elmay above. One of my other concerns was that with a Spot or other non-two-way device, dispatch (and local rescue groups) won't know if it was an error, or what specifically is happening: was it a head injury, rattlesnake bite (the antivenom is highly perishable), should they send the chopper immediately, or are you just going to get a sheriff to come out and then round up the care you need after learning more?
The "safety" plan is 10-12/month and you can of course cancel.
It's also handy for non-emergencies: if you need to ask a friend to arrange for parts to be delivered somewhere ahead of you, for example.
posted by powpow at 12:56 PM on July 5, 2015
The "safety" plan is 10-12/month and you can of course cancel.
It's also handy for non-emergencies: if you need to ask a friend to arrange for parts to be delivered somewhere ahead of you, for example.
posted by powpow at 12:56 PM on July 5, 2015
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posted by Dip Flash at 5:40 PM on July 4, 2015