Guest Message
Hi there Guest,

It looks like you are enjoying reading our forum, so why don't you register an account with us to stop seeing this message and benefit from many more features. Registration is easy and will only take you a few minutes.

If you already have an account with us, then click here to log in.

Thank you,

db

 10 Personal Locator Beacons (Read 12412 times)
Jim J Solo
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1195
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Joined: Apr 6th, 2007
Re: Personal Locator Beacons
Reply #20 - Jan 16th, 2013 at 6:41pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
intrepid_camper wrote on Jan 15th, 2013 at 3:16pm:
mine has a message sent function which lets me know if it has worked or not.   Thumbs Upup


Mine too. I turned mine off after getting the message sent light. Half my messages didn't get through. After talking to Spot Support, I was told to let it run about 15 mins longer. Spot Support told me the light really meant the message was "being" sent, not already sent. So I'm thinking it should be labeled a message "sending" light  Roll Eyes
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Jim J Solo
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1195
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Joined: Apr 6th, 2007
Re: Personal Locator Beacons
Reply #21 - Jan 16th, 2013 at 7:18pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
BillConner wrote on Jan 15th, 2013 at 2:57pm:
Jim J Solo wrote on Jan 10th, 2013 at 7:49pm:
Really reliable SOS help is the PLB.


Do you know of an instance of a Spot having failed to send an SOS message?  I agree a PLB is more robust than a Spot but, are you sure a Spot is not robust enough?  I feel 100% comfortable with a Spot.


Bill, No I haven't. I think the issues with the early models and not knowing if the "I'm OK" messages were getting through created a lack of trust. My guess?? Some outfitters/guides expressed a lack of confidence in Spots. They had used PLB before and trusted them.

We'll use both on Lake Superior. One of us will carry the Spot and the other a PLB. In Q I'll just use a Spot. Mostly to send "I'm OK" to tripping partner's loved ones at home, and it still has a SOS feature.
« Last Edit: Jan 17th, 2013 at 2:16pm by Jim J Solo »  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
BillConner
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 665
Location: Thousand Islands
Joined: Apr 12th, 2010
Re: Personal Locator Beacons
Reply #22 - Jan 17th, 2013 at 9:30pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Jim  J - were I on Lake Superior other than very near shore I'd consider a PLB.  Like you, in the Q, I do not worry with a Spot.  (I use second button to say pick me up with intent my location will be obvious where - ep or whatever in case I'm out early or other than where planned - and third one to say - trouble, I can't move or get out myself but not in meed of immediate assistance - which leaves a challenge for my sons (I only send that one to them - my wife would get upsate and sons are very thoughtful and familiar with the area) to decide if they can arrange something or shoud call for emergency services or leave me to hit SOS after no one shows.

Intrepid - I think it auto offs so I just make sure both lights illuminate   and then forget it.  I agree though it would be better if it said "sending" rather than sent, but I just looked and my spot 2 just shows an envelope with a contrail, so less - or more - uncertain as to meaning.
  
Back to top
IP Logged
 
Jim J Solo
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1195
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Joined: Apr 6th, 2007
Re: Personal Locator Beacons
Reply #23 - Jan 18th, 2013 at 3:17pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
BillConner wrote on Jan 17th, 2013 at 9:30pm:
I just looked and my spot 2 just shows an envelope with a contrail, so less - or more - uncertain as to meaning.


Bill, You are correct. I was going from memory and my impression of what the symbols meant. Knowing the complains I had heard, I was thinking Spot had an absolute fix. But since it wasn't designed to receive signals it probably can't display a message sent light.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 

 
  « The Put-In ‹ Board  ^Top