On Friday, January 30, 2015 at 10:44:25 PM UTC-7, Ramy wrote:
The cell based solutions are great but I see them complimentary to spot/inreach, and not a replacement. Spot/inreach are pretty consistent in sending updates in fix intervals, typically 10 min, while cell based may have long gaps especially if you fly high or in the desert such as in western US. More importantly, in the event of a crash where the pilot is incapacitated, spot/inreach may continue sending your location, or at least show your last location shortly before the crash.

Ramy

This is a great discussion, I think everybody should understand the advantages and limitations of the technologies they use.

Ramy, if you are worried about incapacitation in a crash then shouldn't you have an ELT that will auto activate when you crash. (see http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/emerbcns.html) Using spot/inreach will mean a long delay before anybody knows something is wrong. The delay is critical if you are incapacitated. Granted, the cell solution isn't any better.

The choices I see (in cost order comparing apples/oranges)

ELT
Spot/Inreach
PLB
Cell solution
Smoke signals
Nothing

Alan