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Not at all- an iPhone isn’t even close to replacing a PLB or EPIRB. A PLB is much more rugged, powerful at transmitting, and reliable. It is engineered to trans
by _yb2s 2y ago
Not at all- an iPhone isn’t even close to replacing a PLB or EPIRB. A PLB is much more rugged, powerful at transmitting, and reliable. It is engineered to transmit for very long periods of time in extreme environments- repeatedly immersed at sea in a storm, in extreme cold at high altitude, etc. It can auto activate with immersion or be activated easily by freezing cold hands that can’t grip. It floats and survives long falls.
The iphone has to be held in a certain orientation, with an unobstructed view of the sky for a long time to get a signal out and it uses a lot of battery in the attempt. It also does not have global coverage, or connect to nearly as many satellites as a PLB can.
As a person that does mountaineering and offshore sailing there is absolutely no way I’d carry an iPhone in place of a PLB (although I do carry both). The chances of successfully calling for help on an iphone in the conditions you’d need to - like swimming at sea after your vessel sinks are slim. The PLB stays inside my self inflating life jacket always ready.
- tjohns 2y agoCompletely agreed. PLBs are on a whole other level of reliability. Not just physically, the signal itself is significantly more reliable. They have three different ways of being located (digital GPS coordinates, measuring Doppler shift from satellites passing overhead, and radio direction finding from local SAR search planes), which practically guarantees that if you activate a PLB somebody will come. Beyond that, the technology powering PLBs is also required for emergency beacons on aircraft and boats. It's not going away anytime soon. In fact, the technology is being upgraded right now to add return-link capability, plus an entire new satellite constellation (MEOSAR).
- dzhiurgis 2y ago> plus an entire new satellite constellation (MEOSAR). We are approaching when sats can get live view of any place, any weather, any time of day.
- fragmede 2y agoIs the market of people like you, post iPhone and starlink 911 access, really that big? The addressable market for PLBs just shrank, noticably, because while yes, of course I'd rather a properly designed PLB, if the device I've already got will work, it's an extra hassle and expense that I don't see enough people going for to think that they'll survive in the PLB product companies will continue to exist in their current incarnation. They'll adapt, hopefully, for their employees, before having to close down shop.
- tuatoru 2y agoThe addressable market for PLBs is exactly the same size as it was. Urbanites were never in it. Hunters, scientists, geologists, forestry workers, telco and power transmission workers, remote construction crew, farmers, ... People who still use dumbphones because smartphones go flat too quickly. Not people with desk jobs. I'm sure you think the market for two-way radios has long collapsed, too.
- tjohns 2y agoEven if these companies never sold another PLB, they'd be just fine. They make most of their money selling ELTs for aviation and EPIRBs for marine vessels. (It's all the same tech, just different form factors.) Also, the people who paid the premium for a PLB over a Spot/InReach are likely to pay the premium for a PLB over an iPhone too. The fact that thes are dedicated, purpose-built devices that are guarenteed to always work, anywhere, in even the worst conditions is the entire selling point - and that hasn't changed.
- _yb2s 2y agoThat is a good point- large marine vessels are required by law to carry a PLB or EPIRB, so that is probably the major market.
- _yb2s 2y agoCasual hikers, etc. were never buying $400+ single purpose PLBs. The iphone feature cuts into the market for satellite communicators but not PLBs.
- solardev 2y agoHey, can I ask what a good brand is these days? Just looking for one for occasional use while backpacking/kayaking/biking/etc., often in places with no cell signal.
- tuatoru 2y agoA PLB isn't a communicator. You only activate it when you want a Search and Rescue team to show up. Because one WILL show up. Just got myself an ACR ResqLink, for what it's worth. Brand availability depends on country of purchase and expected use.
- _yb2s 2y agoThe OceanSignal RescueME PLB1 is a good unit and affordable for a PLB. Your comment sounds like you might be looking for a satellite communicator like a SPOT or inReach, which are a different thing.
- solardev 2y agoI didn't realize there was a difference. Thanks for the clarification! I'll have to do more research on the pros and cons of each type of device...
- _yb2s 2y agoThe PLB is much more reliable and redundant, and the signal directly reaches official rescue authorities much quicker- but it is a rescue beacon only, with no 'tracking' or messaging abilities. A communicator can send your location and status- and newer more expensive ones can even do two way texting, and can call for help, but it is not as much of a serious emergency rescue device. In the USA boats over 55 feet are required by law to carry a PLB or EPIRB (e.g. a large PLB that is attached to the boat rather than a person) that is registered with NOAA with the vessel details. I'm a 'belt and suspenders' type person and on very remote wilderness or sailing trips I carry a PLB, a SPOT tracker (a communicator brand), and an iPhone in a rugged waterproof case with a waterproof wireless backup battery and solar charger.
- dzhiurgis 2y agoThere’s what, 10k actual blue water sailors. Maybe 100k off shore ones. For hiking - iphone is def good enough.