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SPOT and ACR Personal Locator Beacon
SPOT and ACR Personal Locator Beacon
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county trip you should consider either purchasing or
renting a personal locator beacon (PLB). PLB's are GPS
tracking units designed for back country use. No one likes
to contemplate a situation where they or a companion may
need emergency assistance but the reality is that
accidents do happen. In some case Federal and state land
management agencies require all back country users to
know how to operate and carry an approved PLB while in
the back country.
Some SAR (search and rescue) efforts can cost well over a
million dollars and can bankrupt local search and rescue
organizations. Even federal agencies are no longer willing
to accept the cost of prolonged SAR operations. The high
cost of search and rescue efforts are frequently are being
passed on to the rescued party. Frequently these costs
are not passed on to users when a PLB is used to properly
notify SAR personnel. The cost of doing a SAR operation
when a PLB is employed is greatly reduced.
Many wilderness users feel that they do not need GPS
tracking units or PLB's as they can always use their cell
phone or satellite phone call for assistance. However in
most cases cell phones seldom work well in the bush.
Satellite phones will work well if you have a clear sky
above and you know your exact location. Terrain and
canopy cover quickly degrade GPS and satellite signals
and if you are badly injured you may not be able to move
to a location with better reception.
The use of modern PLB is a much better choice. Many
back country users now have additional choices as to
what PLB they can take with them into the bush. Probably
the two most popular PLB units on the market today are
the ACR and SPOT. ACR has been around for a long time
and uses the world wide SAR system that was first used in
maritime operations. Both have unique benefits that make
them appeal to purchasers.
SPOT is the newest PLB or GPS tracking unit to hit the
market and is very popular with hikers, hunters and
snowmobilers. It basically uses the same frequency that
GPS receivers use to transmit GEOS satellites. This has its
drawbacks as it is very easy degrade transmissions.
Basically this means that if you are in a slot canyon or
dense tree cover you are less likely to get your 911
request to SAR agencies. Again this can be a real concern
if you are injured and unable to move to an area with
better reception. On the positive side it allows family and
friends to track your location on the internet. It also allows
you ask for assistance without notifying SAR resources. In
other words you can ask for help if your car breaks down
on a back country road. Obviously this is something that
most SAR and land management agencies would not
normally consider an emergency. Another problem with
SPOT is the requirement that you subscribe to the service
annually. The basic subscription costs about $100
annually. Hopefully you subscription does not run out
while you are out in the bush. On the positive side the
SPOT unit costs substantially less than the ACR PLB.
The ACR PLB is a proven platform that uses redundant
systems to notify SAR resources. Unlike the SPOT GPS
tracking units the ACR uses two different satellite systems
as well as transmitter that operate on 406 MHz. This is
critical if you are injured under heavy tree cover or snow
as this frequency is not degraded. The ACR transmits your
GPS location if it is available to the LEOSAR satellite
system. Even if you are under 4 feet of snow and the GPS
Tracking units fail the satellite will use Doppler shif to
establish your position.
If you are out in the open than the transmitter will also use
the GPS tracking units information to the GEOSAR satellite
just like the SPOT does. This redundant system assures
that SAR resources will be notified of your emergency. In
addition the ACR PLB uses the standard international
121.5 MHz locator frequency allowing SAR personal to
respond to your exact location. On the down side ACR
units are up to 4 times more expensive than the SPOT.
However there is no annual subscription fee. Once you
purchase it and keep your contact information current it
will continue to be available for an emergency. Another
drawback of the ACR system is that you are limited to
using only real emergencies similar to what you would use
a 911 system in an urban environment. I would not
suggest that you use it to get help with a flat tire.
You can see that really have two similar but different PLB
systems. Both have positive and negative features to
consider. If you are truly a back country user in Canada or
Alaska then we would suggest that you have the ACR and
best of all both systems with you at all times. If you are a
casual backcountry user or live in remote areas then a
SPOT would most likely meet your needs. We would
suggest that prior to purchasing either unit that you take
the time to rent each from a back country outfitter. This
will be the best way to find out how well each unit will
perform for you. Remember carrying a good PLB may not
only save your life but also lot money in the form of SAR
fees after an emergency. For a back county user, not
purchasing a PLB is penny wise and pound foolish.
GPS Tracking Units
renting a personal locator beacon (PLB). PLB's are GPS
tracking units designed for back country use. No one likes
to contemplate a situation where they or a companion may
need emergency assistance but the reality is that
accidents do happen. In some case Federal and state land
management agencies require all back country users to
know how to operate and carry an approved PLB while in
the back country.
Some SAR (search and rescue) efforts can cost well over a
million dollars and can bankrupt local search and rescue
organizations. Even federal agencies are no longer willing
to accept the cost of prolonged SAR operations. The high
cost of search and rescue efforts are frequently are being
passed on to the rescued party. Frequently these costs
are not passed on to users when a PLB is used to properly
notify SAR personnel. The cost of doing a SAR operation
when a PLB is employed is greatly reduced.
Many wilderness users feel that they do not need GPS
tracking units or PLB's as they can always use their cell
phone or satellite phone call for assistance. However in
most cases cell phones seldom work well in the bush.
Satellite phones will work well if you have a clear sky
above and you know your exact location. Terrain and
canopy cover quickly degrade GPS and satellite signals
and if you are badly injured you may not be able to move
to a location with better reception.
The use of modern PLB is a much better choice. Many
back country users now have additional choices as to
what PLB they can take with them into the bush. Probably
the two most popular PLB units on the market today are
the ACR and SPOT. ACR has been around for a long time
and uses the world wide SAR system that was first used in
maritime operations. Both have unique benefits that make
them appeal to purchasers.
SPOT is the newest PLB or GPS tracking unit to hit the
market and is very popular with hikers, hunters and
snowmobilers. It basically uses the same frequency that
GPS receivers use to transmit GEOS satellites. This has its
drawbacks as it is very easy degrade transmissions.
Basically this means that if you are in a slot canyon or
dense tree cover you are less likely to get your 911
request to SAR agencies. Again this can be a real concern
if you are injured and unable to move to an area with
better reception. On the positive side it allows family and
friends to track your location on the internet. It also allows
you ask for assistance without notifying SAR resources. In
other words you can ask for help if your car breaks down
on a back country road. Obviously this is something that
most SAR and land management agencies would not
normally consider an emergency. Another problem with
SPOT is the requirement that you subscribe to the service
annually. The basic subscription costs about $100
annually. Hopefully you subscription does not run out
while you are out in the bush. On the positive side the
SPOT unit costs substantially less than the ACR PLB.
The ACR PLB is a proven platform that uses redundant
systems to notify SAR resources. Unlike the SPOT GPS
tracking units the ACR uses two different satellite systems
as well as transmitter that operate on 406 MHz. This is
critical if you are injured under heavy tree cover or snow
as this frequency is not degraded. The ACR transmits your
GPS location if it is available to the LEOSAR satellite
system. Even if you are under 4 feet of snow and the GPS
Tracking units fail the satellite will use Doppler shif to
establish your position.
If you are out in the open than the transmitter will also use
the GPS tracking units information to the GEOSAR satellite
just like the SPOT does. This redundant system assures
that SAR resources will be notified of your emergency. In
addition the ACR PLB uses the standard international
121.5 MHz locator frequency allowing SAR personal to
respond to your exact location. On the down side ACR
units are up to 4 times more expensive than the SPOT.
However there is no annual subscription fee. Once you
purchase it and keep your contact information current it
will continue to be available for an emergency. Another
drawback of the ACR system is that you are limited to
using only real emergencies similar to what you would use
a 911 system in an urban environment. I would not
suggest that you use it to get help with a flat tire.
You can see that really have two similar but different PLB
systems. Both have positive and negative features to
consider. If you are truly a back country user in Canada or
Alaska then we would suggest that you have the ACR and
best of all both systems with you at all times. If you are a
casual backcountry user or live in remote areas then a
SPOT would most likely meet your needs. We would
suggest that prior to purchasing either unit that you take
the time to rent each from a back country outfitter. This
will be the best way to find out how well each unit will
perform for you. Remember carrying a good PLB may not
only save your life but also lot money in the form of SAR
fees after an emergency. For a back county user, not
purchasing a PLB is penny wise and pound foolish.
GPS Tracking Units
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