Probably one of the best direct videos comparing these two devices. I have used the Garmin Explorer for many years in the US mainly because I can text friends and family where there are no cell services...of which there are many. I buy a monthly plan for when I'm on a trip then cancel when I'm not. Good video, thanks.
I bought my ACR ResQLink PLB at the same time I bought my Garmin 62ST GPS way back in 2005 or 2006. Yes, my GPS is still working same as when brand new. Yes, I registered my PLB as required. Hope I never need it. ALWAYS, when ever I go hiking the GPS is in a pouch on the left shoulder strap of my backpack, turned on & easily accessible. My PLB is in a left pant pocket & easily accessible if needed. I've always carried it on MEeee, never in my backpack. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada.
5:11 No offense, but this is incorrect. Spot uses the Globalstar sat network, which in my opinion is less good that the Iridium network. Spot is also very low power at 0.4 watts transmit power, versus 1.6 watts for InReach and 5.0 watts for the ACR PLB. Also, when you activate the PLB, it likely won't be the military that shows up. The U.S. Air Force coordinates your rescue, but that's just the people in the call center. They're going to send the most easy and practical organization available to help you. So if you're out on the Pacific two hundred miles offshore, sure, it might be the Coast Guard who responds. But if you're in the United States mainland, you'd be much more likely to see a local sheriff deputy or your local Search and Rescue organization.
Several good points for the PLB but the fact it can't be deactivated when you don't use it is a bit annoying and could probably result in accidental alerts. Also I heard Garmin devices may sometimes fail to send messages under tree cover, I'm wondering if PLBs would potentially have the same problem...
Two-way sat messengers like Inreach and Spot are low power devices (1.6 watts for InReach - 0.4 watts for Spot), which means they have shortcomings relative to real PLBs. Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) can transmit at 5 watts power, allowing them to punch thru poor conditions much better than sat messengers. PLBs have enough power to transmit directly to geostationary satellites, which orbit at 22,000 miles in space. Sat messengers can't do that. Messengers transmit to satellites in LEO that come over every 90-100 minutes. The USDA tested Spot years ago and found that it worked well in clear sky conditions, but failed very often under tree cover.
I'm considering a PLB instead of a "Garmin" or spoot device of sort, simply because of all the yearly and mouthly pay you get stuck paying for the other device for it to work. Europe (Sweden) where it is a one time payment for the PLB and then it just works. I'm not out and about all year long on hikes and expeditions so the other device which requires a subscription is simply not worth it.
I don't know what kind of battery InReach uses, but the ACR PLB uses lithium batteries. All batteries are degraded in cold conditions, but lithium batteries perform better than most types in the cold.
Probably one of the best direct videos comparing these two devices. I have used the Garmin Explorer for many years in the US mainly because I can text friends and family where there are no cell services...of which there are many. I buy a monthly plan for when I'm on a trip then cancel when I'm not. Good video, thanks.
Thanks for watching!
I bought my ACR ResQLink PLB at the same time I bought my Garmin 62ST GPS way back in 2005 or 2006. Yes, my GPS is still working same as when brand new.
Yes, I registered my PLB as required. Hope I never need it.
ALWAYS, when ever I go hiking the GPS is in a pouch on the left shoulder strap of my backpack, turned on & easily accessible.
My PLB is in a left pant pocket & easily accessible if needed. I've always carried it on MEeee, never in my backpack.
Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada.
Wise choice to be on you. Be safe out there.
5:11 No offense, but this is incorrect. Spot uses the Globalstar sat network, which in my opinion is less good that the Iridium network. Spot is also very low power at 0.4 watts transmit power, versus 1.6 watts for InReach and 5.0 watts for the ACR PLB. Also, when you activate the PLB, it likely won't be the military that shows up. The U.S. Air Force coordinates your rescue, but that's just the people in the call center. They're going to send the most easy and practical organization available to help you. So if you're out on the Pacific two hundred miles offshore, sure, it might be the Coast Guard who responds. But if you're in the United States mainland, you'd be much more likely to see a local sheriff deputy or your local Search and Rescue organization.
Great pointers thanks for the clarification.
Several good points for the PLB but the fact it can't be deactivated when you don't use it is a bit annoying and could probably result in accidental alerts. Also I heard Garmin devices may sometimes fail to send messages under tree cover, I'm wondering if PLBs would potentially have the same problem...
PLBs are supposed to be more robust than Iridium signals but no guarantees.
Two-way sat messengers like Inreach and Spot are low power devices (1.6 watts for InReach - 0.4 watts for Spot), which means they have shortcomings relative to real PLBs. Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) can transmit at 5 watts power, allowing them to punch thru poor conditions much better than sat messengers. PLBs have enough power to transmit directly to geostationary satellites, which orbit at 22,000 miles in space. Sat messengers can't do that. Messengers transmit to satellites in LEO that come over every 90-100 minutes. The USDA tested Spot years ago and found that it worked well in clear sky conditions, but failed very often under tree cover.
I'm considering a PLB instead of a "Garmin" or spoot device of sort, simply because of all the yearly and mouthly pay you get stuck paying for the other device for it to work. Europe (Sweden) where it is a one time payment for the PLB and then it just works. I'm not out and about all year long on hikes and expeditions so the other device which requires a subscription is simply not worth it.
Very true. I can turn off my Garmin subscription month by month, so if I'm not out for a while, I can control the cost.
PLBs also transmit at much higher power, and have a better satellite network, so they are generally faster and more reliable than InReach/Spot.
If you want to live? If so, then yes. Though dying is cheaper!
True...
Would you know if the cold temperatures have an impact on the longevity of the battery?
Would have to ask the manufacturer - good question.
I don't know what kind of battery InReach uses, but the ACR PLB uses lithium batteries. All batteries are degraded in cold conditions, but lithium batteries perform better than most types in the cold.