Personal GPS
All,
Every year we hear horror stories about boaters getting lost at sea, accidents, etc... and it got me and my family thinking as avid offshore boaters.
I have done a little research but are there any personal GPS locators better than others?
I have seen the SPOT gen3, looks good because you can send a quick "I am ok" message back. Waterproof, SOS, etc.. $150 for it plus $100/yr membership.
Others are more expensive but cant send messages back
Do you have to pay for memberships on all of them?
The message back is really not needed, just a simple water proof GPS personal tracker if something goes wrong.
Thanks for all the feedback in advance.
God Bless the search for those boys from Jupiter!
BTF
Every year we hear horror stories about boaters getting lost at sea, accidents, etc... and it got me and my family thinking as avid offshore boaters.
I have done a little research but are there any personal GPS locators better than others?
I have seen the SPOT gen3, looks good because you can send a quick "I am ok" message back. Waterproof, SOS, etc.. $150 for it plus $100/yr membership.
Others are more expensive but cant send messages back
Do you have to pay for memberships on all of them?
The message back is really not needed, just a simple water proof GPS personal tracker if something goes wrong.
Thanks for all the feedback in advance.
God Bless the search for those boys from Jupiter!
BTF
Replies
Get a REAL locator.... ACR makes the good stuff. If you can afford it...the auto deploys are about $800 and are registered to your boat.
I have the personal...less than $300. It is fastened to a TYPE 1 OFFSHORE RATED PFD ....WITH STROBE My waterproof VHF is also attached....as is a 50 foot " clip line" to attach everyone together so we don't become separated. All of the offshore vests have dye packs and mirrors along with strobes attached. Overkill?.... I don't know....but I like to minimize the chance I will be a "sad story" .
Many things to do.
Knots to be unraveled
'fore the darkness falls on you
You as a former first responder probably know better than most of us. Outside of a selfrighting liferaft, that is about the most complete list I have ever seen for aiding in someone finding you quickly, not necessarily for long term survival.
I have been in some pretty nasty weather and realized how nearly impossible most typical places where many store their vests are to get to in certain conditions. I will add to make sure you know that your life saving safety equipment is easily accessible in about 10 seconds or less in ROUGH weather.
Good article on the subject: http://www.canoekayak.com/touring-kayaks/message-from-the-coast-guard-put-a-sticker-on-it/#GXCZKHxP3FA1oTYB.97
- it lets you know when a message delivers
-2 way text
-Plans are 10-20 a month
-someone on land can tell you if storms are going across or building (when off ponce 40 miles this can be a lifesaver)
cost is less than epirb.