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Hey just a question guys, have you or do you know of anyone that's used the spot GPS rescue device and would say whether it's worth having? I got one when I was in the USA but never used it (or really jump with it ) ... I'm heading back to Europe In May prob for 6 mths hitting bigger more remote jumps around the valley and Chamonix.. unsure whether it's worth the cost .. Am due to renew service in 2 weeks... Should I keep it or scrap it?

Cheers

its another form of helicopter insurance for you or anyone you are with. I would say as long as the insurance is good in europe then its worth it.

Is it actually Heli insurance or just to call for the rescue?

It's only good for the person it's registered to

IMHO its worth the investment if you're jumping in certain conditions. When I lived in Colorado I didn't want/need one, I had cell coverage nearly anywhere I jumped, and that kept me comfortable. I decided to get one when I started jumping in Moab, cause cell coverage is pretty much non-existent.

I might be biased, I first used Spot trackers in gliding. The buddy of mine that started skydiving and BASE jumping with me actually landed in the middle of nowhere New Mexico, and the spot tracker was the only communication method he had.

Always have a communication option if shit hits the fan, thats how I feel. And the chopper coverage that comes with it is another factor, if you don't have another option. Keep in mind to look into hunting/fishing licenses in the area, they are typically only a few bucks, and sometimes cover certain SAR protection, but I don't have much familiarity with it.

i have used one for several years in europe. i will hit the ok button at the top and bottom of every jump so my friends and family know i jumped and i am ok. i do a fair number of solos. it is also good so your friends and family can see where you are in the world with out having to email, text, or call. it does also have heli/rescue insurance that comes with it. it think it is more than worth it especially if you already have one. i attach it to my chest strap so i can reach better in an emergency.

The Delorme inReach is better.

Ahem...cough...well, I've unfortunately been party to a Spot being used on Mt. Rainier. Fortunately, we ended up being able to pull all necessary heads out of our asses and make it down. Talking to the Rangers afterwards....the spot gave a VERY vague location of where signal was coming from ... i.e., somewhere on Mt. Rainier. Considering how big Mt. Rainier is....it could have been a hot minute before the Rangers got there. Made me lose faith in the Spot. False sense of security IMHO.

I prefer the old school method of 'hey, I'm going to be jumping HERE at THIS time. If you don't hear from me BY THIS TIME...something probably isn't right'

milk, it has its limitations for sure. but sitting around waiting and hoping for someone to call rescue is not the same as the rangers knowing u need help. also most SAR groups have DF equipment than can pick up the signal and narrow it down. (i happen to be one of them). the spot is not as good as the more expensive units, but it has some really nice features. If he already has the unit, it is 99 bucks a year to get the service and rescue insurance. seems silly not too in my opinion.

The rescue insurance isn't free or included but it's cheap.
http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=104
And the DeLorme isn't "better" but is an alternative.

It saved my ass and called REGA when I spun into the side of the Eiger with a tension knot. And I still use it on long bikepacking trips for the 'tracking' feature to let my family see my progress. Worth every penny and more for me.

Spot won't work in Sub-Saharan Africa or South Central Asia http://www.findmespot.ca/en/index.php?cid=109. The Delorme does. Not a problem for most, especially if the intended application is BASE jumping in North America and Europe, but I also think yellow looks better on me than orange.

Yeah, I hadn't considered the color thing. And if it's all about size then it's DeLorme hands down.

eh, it's a mindset I guess. To each their own fo sho

Interesting. I'd like to know more about why it didn't work. I was launched on a spot hit last summer. I landed the helicopter 87 feet from the coordinates it gave SAR. We were also on scene with the patient one hour after activation. 10 minutes response plus a 25 minute flight. The rest of the time was from service to local SAR to figuring out they wanted to just send the helicopter because it was so remote.
Along with some friends who successfully used one the week before this was why I decided to purchase one

 I know that in ultra remote snowmobiling, the spots have proven to be highly inaccurate and unreliable. The fact that other personal location beacons( I like and use ACR products) work on the international search and rescue satellites, and the spot has its own satellite systems(which are rental space on a few commercial satellites) that it runs on , seems to be the biggest difference between the units. I would rather depend on the proven network that protects airplanes, and boats, compared to a private for profit network.
The "cute" check-in functions and messaging system, in my opinion are super secondary to a device that accurately and quickly summons help in a life jeopardizing situation.
I also remember when Leroy died in Utah, the spot had sent all kinds of bunk coordinates to rescue , which prolonged the search for a few extra days to find his remains.


Just my .02$

a quick google search yielded:

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/personal-locator-beacons.html

informative read

and a great comparison article

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Personal-Locator-Beacon-Reviews


And this comment is "spot" on
The above comments are Just. Plain. God. Awfully. wrong. And your LIFE depends on these things, people, so listen up. The primary thing to remember about the Spot signal is that, in order for your signal to be transmitted to the private corporation that monitors the signals, THE SATELLITE HAS TO BE SIMULTANEOUSLY IN LINE OF SIGHT WITH YOUR SPOT BEACON AND THE LAND BASED RECEPTION THAT IT TRANSMITS TO. THE SATELLITE HAS NO ABILITY TO "SAVE" YOUR SIGNAL TILL IT PASSES OVER THE LAND BASED STATION IT TRANSMITS TO. The NOAA sats save your signal till they can transmit it to the land based receiver, sometimes minutes later. This can make the difference between you getting your signal out and living, or not getting it out, and dying, so don't take it lightly. Furthermore, NOAA has far more satellites in orbit than the corporate sats Spot uses, which means both that the spot takes longer to get your signal out, and does not have actual worldwide coverage. In fact, absolutely NO coverage in the Polar regions or most of the open ocean. Spot generally takes a FULL 45 MINUTES to get your signal sent off to SAR due to the lower number of sats they employ. The Real PLBs get that info there in 5 minutes via the multitudinous NOAA sats. These are some of the many, many reasons that the Spot is basically a good toy for suburban people not intending to actually go to the wilds and need a rescue, who might want to tweet to their friends about their day hiking trip into the wilds of their local state park. It is not a good tool for you if you travel through deep glaciated valleys, truly remote parts of the planet, or outside cel phone range of your local REI store. Sorry, kids, Spots just don't cut the mustard. And they can get you killed. Spend the extra hundred bucks. You'll save it in the first year anyway, because Spot requires an annual 100$ fee to "subscribe" to their service, whereas service for real PLBs are free, worldwide, in perpetuity.


beer-handler out.....

Most people I know have no PLB device. SPOT is far better than nothing. Mine has failed but usually tracks and sends messages just fine. Bet your life on it? No f'n way. Cheap, easy, small, lightweight; absolutely. The best technology; far from it. Message to all; at least get something.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but when I buy a life saving device.... I kinda want it to work every time I need it. I wouldn't jump with a substandard plastic hook knife for the same reason.
Just my .02$

True PLBs are more dependable, messaging devices are more versatile. None are perfect, I expect the technology to improve rapidly. If I'm in a "need help" but non life-threatening situation the SPOT or DeLorme is a better tool than a true PLB. It's not a matter of substandard, PLBs and messengers aren't the same tool.

The tracking on my SPOT will give a good idea of my location even if the device is destroyed on landing. I use it for paragliding but also a great BASE/hike/climb/backcountry tool.

which ones have a free service?

Plb's
Try looking at the links I dug up....

my bad, have you had much to do with the ResQLink+™ PLB?

The author of the OutdoorGearLab.com article is a poster here.

I wouldn't bother renewing. Nobody jumps with a Spot or similar devices here in Chamonix. We have cell service almost everywhere, and there are better options for heli rescue insurance here in the Alps.

 Funny story I found here in Boulder about PLB's. Amazing people cant even read the fuckin directions....

http://www.rockymountainrescue.org/about_PLBs.php

Only in Boulder....