4 ms·

>This covers the most important thing that backcountry types pay monthly fees and carry an extra device for, which are emergencies, I am not a backpacker, so m

>This covers the most important thing that backcountry types pay monthly fees and carry an extra device for, which are emergencies, I am not a backpacker, so maybe I am missing something but if it is JUST for emergencies what do the Paid services offer than a NOAA Registered PLB Device would not?

msh 4y ago
You don't need to pay for an extra device and carry it around.
- phpisthebest 4y ago
  Well I guess my comment was around the assertion that people would buy the Commercial service solely for emergencies, so in my view the PLB would fine if your use was only for Emergency Rescue. If you need the other features then that makes a different argument but the original statement was that iPhone feature would kill these over devices because iPhone could be used to send emergency messages.
Gh0stRAT 4y ago
Being able to have a 2-way conversation with search & rescue to explain the situation and get updates is the biggest one. As for other things worth paying for: being able to text your family back home and let them know you're running a day late but everything's ok so not to report you as missing goes a long way to helping everyone involved have some peace of mind. Coordinating pickups and getting weather updates are also big value-adds.
- ghaff 4y ago
  Not clear the phone will have two way capabilities.
  - jaywalk 4y ago
    Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41EdCXjotmo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41EdCXjotmo It will definitely be two-way.
    - ghaff 4y ago
      Ah. Ok. Though apparently just with emergency dispatchers. Though that is more useful than just a beacon in a number of respects.
williamscales 4y ago
Other have pointed out what the satellite communicators offer, but one feature that the PLBs exclusively have is a radio beacon which enables you to be found by triangulation. (I carry a PLB, who cares about texting. I just want to get rescued if I break my femur.)

msh 4y ago

You don't need to pay for an extra device and carry it around.

phpisthebest 4y ago
Well I guess my comment was around the assertion that people would buy the Commercial service solely for emergencies, so in my view the PLB would fine if your use was only for Emergency Rescue. If you need the other features then that makes a different argument but the original statement was that iPhone feature would kill these over devices because iPhone could be used to send emergency messages.

Gh0stRAT 4y ago

Being able to have a 2-way conversation with search & rescue to explain the situation and get updates is the biggest one. As for other things worth paying for: being able to text your family back home and let them know you're running a day late but everything's ok so not to report you as missing goes a long way to helping everyone involved have some peace of mind. Coordinating pickups and getting weather updates are also big value-adds.

ghaff 4y ago
Not clear the phone will have two way capabilities.
- jaywalk 4y ago
  Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41EdCXjotmo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41EdCXjotmo It will definitely be two-way.
  - ghaff 4y ago
    Ah. Ok. Though apparently just with emergency dispatchers. Though that is more useful than just a beacon in a number of respects.

williamscales 4y ago

Other have pointed out what the satellite communicators offer, but one feature that the PLBs exclusively have is a radio beacon which enables you to be found by triangulation. (I carry a PLB, who cares about texting. I just want to get rescued if I break my femur.)