View Single Post
  #7  
Old May 15th 20, 02:11 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
kinsell
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 546
Default PLB Spot InReach Webinar 5-12-2020

On 5/14/20 5:45 PM, wrote:
On Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 4:51:00 PM UTC-5, kinsell wrote:
Even if the tracker should be destroyed
in a bad accident, you should have a location within the last 10 minutes


Would ADSB out do the same thing without a monthly charge?


ADSB-out certainly is somewhat useful for search and rescue. You do
need to be line of sight to at least one tower however. Flying in
remote mountainous areas, I would never rely on it. Plus it doesn't
have the "send the calvary" button on PLB's and trackers, so someone
would need to notice you're missing and contact the FAA to get the data.

The CAP relies increasingly on cell tower data, might be useful to leave
a cell phone turned on if you have extra power available to keep it
charged. Plus there's cell phone tracking apps available, useful in
populated areas.

InReach is more expensive than Spot per month, but you can turn off
InReach service in the off season, making it not too expensive overall.
I don't even carry my old PLB device anymore, InReach just is more
useful overall.

-Dave