Posted by Adrian Klein on March 28, 2008 at 11:47 PM
That is funny that you posted this Rick. I just today was reading about this. This is a great alternative to a sat phone. After my car died this week at the Painted Hills, and the fact that I plan to go to more remote places this year, I am seriously considering one. Albeit there are some minor issues as you saw on the reviews that I am sure will be worked out as all new products always have kinks.
I am sure Marc A will read this and laugh since he goes way out in the middle of nowhere all the time and obviously survives just fine with out one. Which makes me think do I really need one since my whole goal being out in nature is to be completely away from it all. That is a question to ponder!
Posted by Rick Lundh on March 29, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Anybody can break an ankle and become stranded...or get attacked by a wild animal and left to bleed. As prepared as anybody can be, there's still those unkowns... Maybe Marc will scoff at this for himself today, but give him 10 years, a wife, and two kids to provide for and he would become "safer", as we all do.
Posted by Zack Schnepf on March 29, 2008 at 1:33 AM
Wow, looks very promising. I think once they work a few bugs out I'll get on board.
Posted by Adrian Klein on March 29, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Rick, I agree with you 100% no doubt about it. I guess my thought process is more me seeing the sad goodbye of true remoteness with no instant way to contact someone whether I have the need to or not. Finding my way out however that may be and whatever the situation. Prior to SPOT it was a sat phone for at least $900+ and $5 min which most folks will not invest in, myself included. There is a different feeling being in the middle of nowhere knowing that if something happens you cannot contact anyone, and there is another feeling when you know at the push of a button someone will know just where you are. I am not saying either one is wrong or right. And maybe I am the only one that feels this way but again it's just something I think about. Working in the technology field I understand how rapidly things advance (which I know you do too) and sometimes it bothers me more than I am excited about it. I eventually warm up to most technology after I go through some old man nostalgia for a young guy... heck I am sitting at a desk with multiple PC's and three monitors for which I feel like I NEED to do my work today!
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on March 30, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Saw this in backpacker magazine (favorite magazine of late by far, by the way). Looks very promising if doing long trips solo.
I'm with Rick. whe I broke my ankle hiking last fall, I was smug that, for ONCE, I had remembered to bring my cell phone - but much less smug when there was no service in those hills !
I ended up hobbling more than 3 miles back to the car, and every step probably hurt the break more. You guys who REALLY go to remote places need a way to get help if needed, imo.
sandy r
Posted by Jack Brauer on March 31, 2008 at 1:10 AM
Hi, I was just lurking over here in your forum and read this post. Looks like a cool product, great price, although the annual fee is a drag.
Anyhow, last summer I got an ACR Personal Locator Beacon, which I take with me on solo bushwacking treks. I must say that it provides some peace of mind to know that I have some sort of safety net should something go wrong in these places where I might not be found for months otherwise.
Accidents can happen to anyone, anytime... that's why they're called accidents. I'd bet that any romantic notions of braving the wild, or being one with nature quickly fade once you're in serious trouble in the wilderness.
Discussion
7 repliesRead the reviews...
http://www.rei.com/product/766529?cm_mmc=ps_yahoo-_-Category%20-%20Camp%2fHike-_-TTO_Brand_SPOT-_-Spot%20GPS
I am sure Marc A will read this and laugh since he goes way out in the middle of nowhere all the time and obviously survives just fine with out one. Which makes me think do I really need one since my whole goal being out in nature is to be completely away from it all. That is a question to ponder!
I ended up hobbling more than 3 miles back to the car, and every step probably hurt the break more. You guys who REALLY go to remote places need a way to get help if needed, imo.
sandy r
Anyhow, last summer I got an ACR Personal Locator Beacon, which I take with me on solo bushwacking treks. I must say that it provides some peace of mind to know that I have some sort of safety net should something go wrong in these places where I might not be found for months otherwise.
Accidents can happen to anyone, anytime... that's why they're called accidents. I'd bet that any romantic notions of braving the wild, or being one with nature quickly fade once you're in serious trouble in the wilderness.