Good info from the horses mouth. As a solo sailor I carry a PLB on my life jacket and I have a Garmin Inreach Explorer. I also plan to get an EPIRB for the boat which is essentially a PLB but registered to the boat not a person as with the PLB. Important to register your PLB so the rescue services have some basic info about you to start with. The beauty of the InReach is the ability to send and receive messages which could be vital in a rescue situation. Andy UK
Both are a great Idea as they operate quite differently. SPOT and Garmin do not use the standard 406MHz international emergency frequency or the same satellite system as a standard PLB/ELT. When you press the SOS on a spot or Garmin the message is sent to a private GEOS International Emergency Response Center who then notifies the appropriate SAR authorities.( if their database is up to date). A PLB signal is 406MHz and about double the power of the subscription ones. The PLB signal is detected by satellites operated by an international consortium of rescue services, COSPAS-SARSAT and goes straight to emergency response agencies but are not for family/friends messages or tracking.
I had the inreach, it SUCKED! 100 different location tests, 64 went through! You wanna bank on a 64% hit rate if your life is on the line??? Also, the PLB has a MUCH better and robust satellite network worldwide! You want both? Have at it, but i would NOT rely on that inreach for safety! Beware!
Whenever I'm doing something new in life I like to be informed and who better to take advice from then an expert on their field with real experience....so thx for sharing Clay's comment
I bought a Garmin for peace of mind and a lot of what you covered, but i never thought that carrying a PLB would also be better. Good idea. I'll get one, always good to have a backup.
Mate, great review and very important points raised. I ride with both the KTI PLB and the Garmin inReach mini for exact reasons you mentioned. PLB for accuracies with Search and rescue as well as a backup device and the Mini for communicating with friends and family and tracking capabilities. In Sydney, Australia the Garmin is going for $499 at Anaconda with a discount offered to those in the emergency and military services, I picked mine up for just under $450. Shop around and you'll save some coin.
Hi, awsome review, I'm going to add a PLB to my emergency equipment - however, tell me, why would it be a problem to get the exact LAT/LON position from the Garmin Inreach, when you press SOS I thought the position were part of the SOS package which is transmitted?
My understanding is that the plbs transmit a stronger signal giving a more accurate coordinate position which may or may not be an issue depending on what sort of widerness you were stuck in. A difference of 100m or so in a heavy treed area with valleys could make it very difficult to find you from a chopper.
Basicaly it isn’t. Inreach Main advantages of Inreach are two way communication, really worldwide via Iridium, supports all kind of GPS providers (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, etc.). Main disadvantages are Iridium subscription, battery life and not so precise live position in final searching (PLB and inreach GPS coordinates are not pinpoint, there is some deviation). Not sure how their own sos works (have to evaluate it). All communication is via Iridium only. PLB Main advantages battery life 6-7 years shelf life, activated minimum 24 hours, 406 MHz international standard a lot of satelites, even NOAA weather satelites receive it., precise, easy to use, even without gps fix low orbit satelite could approximate your position. Main disadvantage it is one time use and one way communication device only, usually supports limited GPS providers it takes time to GPS fix. And now WHY is PLB so precise. When it transmits own ID with GPS coordinates. It is just beginnig. PLB .. B stands for beacon. There literally is a homing radio beacon on 121.5 MHZ transmiting signal. SAR planes (and vessels) are eqipped with device showing direction to source of signal + there is a high intensity flashing LED for visual searching mainly at night. . Despite this I am planning month long trip across international date line and can afford to take only one of these devices and still considering inreach. PLB is a must for sailing or road trips or any shorter adventures. But for longer expedition tours is two way communication tremendous advantage, mainly when your relatives don’t know even your approximate position like time zone or continent. th-cam.com/video/vcp3mmyxvE0/w-d-xo.html
Thanks cobba got me thinking this did. Particularly being stuck out the north west bush with a spot tracker. No joke if the lats and longs on the wife's receiver are your only lifeline and the b*tch can't even read them off the screen. PLBs👍
PLB 4 LIFE! But really, the garmin and zoleo are so gimmicky and clearly marketed as feature packed, and they both have ridiculous subscription fees! PLB is a stronger signal, military use it, no subscription, are good for 5-7 years. People really think they need a screen and texting functionality over signal strength lol
I had the inreach for 2 years, it SUCKED! 100 different location tests, 64 went through! You wanna bank on a 64% hit rate if your life is on the line??? Also, the PLB has a MUCH better and robust satellite network worldwide! You want both? Have at it, but i would NOT rely on that inreach for safety! Beware!
Great question Darren, my understanding is that they do work worldwide. The distress signal is picked up by a network of global satellites and the message is relayed to the rescue services in that region.
I appreciate the shout out mate and love your videos. Having both is definitely worth the investment
Good info from the horses mouth. As a solo sailor I carry a PLB on my life jacket and I have a Garmin Inreach Explorer. I also plan to get an EPIRB for the boat which is essentially a PLB but registered to the boat not a person as with the PLB. Important to register your PLB so the rescue services have some basic info about you to start with. The beauty of the InReach is the ability to send and receive messages which could be vital in a rescue situation. Andy UK
No need of all these gimmicks i am a Targeted Individual
@@jurgschupbach3059 No gimmick but no idea what you mean by targeted individual….
I have now bought a PLB to compliment the Garmin. Great advice. Superb sound!
Both are a great Idea as they operate quite differently. SPOT and Garmin do not use the standard 406MHz international emergency frequency or the same satellite system as a standard PLB/ELT. When you press the SOS on a spot or Garmin the message is sent to a private GEOS International Emergency Response Center who then notifies the appropriate SAR authorities.( if their database is up to date). A PLB signal is 406MHz and about double the power of the subscription ones. The PLB signal is detected by satellites operated by an international consortium of rescue services, COSPAS-SARSAT and goes straight to emergency response agencies but are not for family/friends messages or tracking.
sounds like the PLB is the one to go with. From your post, don't see where a SPOT or Garmin would be better.
I had the inreach, it SUCKED! 100 different location tests, 64 went through! You wanna bank on a 64% hit rate if your life is on the line??? Also, the PLB has a MUCH better and robust satellite network worldwide! You want both? Have at it, but i would NOT rely on that inreach for safety! Beware!
Whenever I'm doing something new in life I like to be informed and who better to take advice from then an expert on their field with real experience....so thx for sharing Clay's comment
Definitely great to hear from genuine experts in their field. Cheers Ryan
Very interesting, I didn't realise PLBs were that much better. Thanks for sharing.
I bought a Garmin for peace of mind and a lot of what you covered, but i never thought that carrying a PLB would also be better. Good idea. I'll get one, always good to have a backup.
One of the most informative videos I have ever watched. Well done. Clear concise expert info. I shall buy both too, for my next solo trip.
Thanks Mark, I'm glad you liked it and got something out of it. Cheers
Mate, great review and very important points raised. I ride with both the KTI PLB and the Garmin inReach mini for exact reasons you mentioned. PLB for accuracies with Search and rescue as well as a backup device and the Mini for communicating with friends and family and tracking capabilities. In Sydney, Australia the Garmin is going for $499 at Anaconda with a discount offered to those in the emergency and military services, I picked mine up for just under $450. Shop around and you'll save some coin.
Cheers mate, glad you liked the review. Carrying both is definitely the go.
Great subject - very well covered - thanks.
Hi, awsome review, I'm going to add a PLB to my emergency equipment - however, tell me, why would it be a problem to get the exact LAT/LON position from the Garmin Inreach, when you press SOS I thought the position were part of the SOS package which is transmitted?
My understanding is that the plbs transmit a stronger signal giving a more accurate coordinate position which may or may not be an issue depending on what sort of widerness you were stuck in. A difference of 100m or so in a heavy treed area with valleys could make it very difficult to find you from a chopper.
Basicaly it isn’t.
Inreach
Main advantages of Inreach are two way communication, really worldwide via Iridium, supports all kind of GPS providers (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, etc.). Main disadvantages are Iridium subscription, battery life and not so precise live position in final searching (PLB and inreach GPS coordinates are not pinpoint, there is some deviation). Not sure how their own sos works (have to evaluate it). All communication is via Iridium only.
PLB
Main advantages battery life 6-7 years shelf life, activated minimum 24 hours, 406 MHz international standard a lot of satelites, even NOAA weather satelites receive it., precise, easy to use, even without gps fix low orbit satelite could approximate your position. Main disadvantage it is one time use and one way communication device only, usually supports limited GPS providers it takes time to GPS fix.
And now WHY is PLB so precise. When it transmits own ID with GPS coordinates. It is just beginnig. PLB .. B stands for beacon. There literally is a homing radio beacon on 121.5 MHZ transmiting signal. SAR planes (and vessels) are eqipped with device showing direction to source of signal + there is a high intensity flashing LED for visual searching mainly at night.
.
Despite this I am planning month long trip across international date line and can afford to take only one of these devices and still considering inreach. PLB is a must for sailing or road trips or any shorter adventures. But for longer expedition tours is two way communication tremendous advantage, mainly when your relatives don’t know even your approximate position like time zone or continent.
th-cam.com/video/vcp3mmyxvE0/w-d-xo.html
Great vid Richie!!
Cheers Beej
Thanks cobba got me thinking this did. Particularly being stuck out the north west bush with a spot tracker. No joke if the lats and longs on the wife's receiver are your only lifeline and the b*tch can't even read them off the screen. PLBs👍
PLB 4 LIFE! But really, the garmin and zoleo are so gimmicky and clearly marketed as feature packed, and they both have ridiculous subscription fees! PLB is a stronger signal, military use it, no subscription, are good for 5-7 years. People really think they need a screen and texting functionality over signal strength lol
I had the inreach for 2 years, it SUCKED! 100 different location tests, 64 went through! You wanna bank on a 64% hit rate if your life is on the line??? Also, the PLB has a MUCH better and robust satellite network worldwide! You want both? Have at it, but i would NOT rely on that inreach for safety! Beware!
Do PLBs work around the world or just in one country
Great question Darren, my understanding is that they do work worldwide. The distress signal is picked up by a network of global satellites and the message is relayed to the rescue services in that region.