let me also say that IF and i stress IF your SPOT alert gets through then, it doesent go to the AFRCC like all other beacons, it goes to a private MCC and they will not dispatch government assets you will have to rely on private componys where as with the 406 you get private government assets and USAFAUX who are responsable for 95% on SAR in the contonetal US. take it from a search and rescuer 406 GPS is the way to go.
I'm not aware of any tests of a 406 under snow but I know that metal hangars and standard North American house construction does little to attenuate the signal. I think the larger issue with using a 406 as an avalanche beacon would be the time for first responders to get the lat/long of the operating beacon. The other would be the requirement to activate the beacon somehow. Avalanche recovery is better served by personal avalanche beacons and trained response from on-site responders.
inReach communication is provided by the Iridium satellite system. The general consensus (in the Aviation world anyway) is that Iridium is a more reliable satellite communication provider at the moment. However, I still feel it is a mistake to confuse these "communication" devices with true "rescue" devices. Marketers promote them as all-in-one but at the moment only 406 beacons get the full attention of Search and Rescue organizations (plus there is no monthly or annual fee).
IMO, when your life depends on rescue, PLB is the only way to go (even with SPOT 2). SPOT is all about the OK button. In other words, PLB is for your safety; SPOT is for your family's comfort.
I've seen the new PLB's with the 406link position reporting, but personally I wouldn't use a single amp of power from my rescue device on that. I want every moment of 121.5 beacon I can get to make sure I'm found when it counts.
For OK I prefer sat phone or a radio, but that's in addition to PLB.
All 406 MHz PLBs by regulation and rule must output a powerful digital signal sufficient to be relayed clearly through the Cospas Sarsat satellite system. McMurdo Fastfind 210’s are optimised to give the best balance of performance through the satellites verses long battery life.
The McMurdo Fastfind 210 PLB is extremely small ; the trade-off is that it’s not naturally buoyant, but is certainly waterproof under all conditions. A small padded neoprene buoyancy pouch option makes the Fastfind 210 float or by simply attaching the PLB by a lanyard cord to your clothing it won’t sink out of sight or ever get lost. The beauty of the Fastfind is that it’s so small it easily fits into any pocket, so will be with you if needed in a hurry and not at the bottom of a backpack.
Great video and very accurate. Something else to consider when making a purchase of an emergency beacon is the output power of the device. The Spot uses 400 miliwatts while 406 MHz Personal Locator beacons on average use 5 Watts. So you would need about 12 SPOT units to equal the power of one PLB.
When deciding between PLBs, the same is true. Lower cost beacons typically have less power, while others like the ACR Units have over 6 watts of power.
thanks for the valuable insight!
SitsoBe 5 hours ago
The Fast Find is waterproof and can be submerged up to 10 meters. It just can't transmit under water.
I have a Fast Find and I love carrying it when I hike and ski! Just in case.....
WildmanACI 1 month ago
let me also say that IF and i stress IF your SPOT alert gets through then, it doesent go to the AFRCC like all other beacons, it goes to a private MCC and they will not dispatch government assets you will have to rely on private componys where as with the 406 you get private government assets and USAFAUX who are responsable for 95% on SAR in the contonetal US. take it from a search and rescuer 406 GPS is the way to go.
keep the faith
youngestpilotinGa 1 month ago
I'm not aware of any tests of a 406 under snow but I know that metal hangars and standard North American house construction does little to attenuate the signal. I think the larger issue with using a 406 as an avalanche beacon would be the time for first responders to get the lat/long of the operating beacon. The other would be the requirement to activate the beacon somehow. Avalanche recovery is better served by personal avalanche beacons and trained response from on-site responders.
TheMultiadventures 2 months ago
Great review and info presented. Do you know if this device would work if you are buried under snow after an averlanche?
Thanks!
RebelApexi 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I've started renting ACR Resqlinks, BCA Tracker 2, ACR Aqualinks, etc by the day/week/month. Cheaper than buying for only 1 or 2 trips.
Contact me at oerentals@gmail.com
sayerbj1 2 months ago
inReach communication is provided by the Iridium satellite system. The general consensus (in the Aviation world anyway) is that Iridium is a more reliable satellite communication provider at the moment. However, I still feel it is a mistake to confuse these "communication" devices with true "rescue" devices. Marketers promote them as all-in-one but at the moment only 406 beacons get the full attention of Search and Rescue organizations (plus there is no monthly or annual fee).
TheMultiadventures 2 months ago
Can you comment on Delorme's ne inReach device. It offers the 2-way communication that none of the two compared here do.
wk5981 3 months ago
IMO, when your life depends on rescue, PLB is the only way to go (even with SPOT 2). SPOT is all about the OK button. In other words, PLB is for your safety; SPOT is for your family's comfort.
I've seen the new PLB's with the 406link position reporting, but personally I wouldn't use a single amp of power from my rescue device on that. I want every moment of 121.5 beacon I can get to make sure I'm found when it counts.
For OK I prefer sat phone or a radio, but that's in addition to PLB.
TheTrogdorHunter 4 months ago
i had spot it sucks they keep emailing you to get money so i got the acr plb much
better very happy .
sha370z 4 months ago
Thank you for this video it was so helpful. I was set on the spot but now i've really changed my mind
wydog25 8 months ago
All 406 MHz PLBs by regulation and rule must output a powerful digital signal sufficient to be relayed clearly through the Cospas Sarsat satellite system. McMurdo Fastfind 210’s are optimised to give the best balance of performance through the satellites verses long battery life.
McMurdoBeacons 9 months ago
The McMurdo Fastfind 210 PLB is extremely small ; the trade-off is that it’s not naturally buoyant, but is certainly waterproof under all conditions. A small padded neoprene buoyancy pouch option makes the Fastfind 210 float or by simply attaching the PLB by a lanyard cord to your clothing it won’t sink out of sight or ever get lost. The beauty of the Fastfind is that it’s so small it easily fits into any pocket, so will be with you if needed in a hurry and not at the bottom of a backpack.
McMurdoBeacons 9 months ago
thanks for that info!
herby375 9 months ago
Great video and very accurate. Something else to consider when making a purchase of an emergency beacon is the output power of the device. The Spot uses 400 miliwatts while 406 MHz Personal Locator beacons on average use 5 Watts. So you would need about 12 SPOT units to equal the power of one PLB.
When deciding between PLBs, the same is true. Lower cost beacons typically have less power, while others like the ACR Units have over 6 watts of power.
ACR406 9 months ago
I think when globalstar gets all their news sats up this year the spot will be a ton better.
matt24d1 11 months ago