poconogeorge

Does anyone use a locator beacon? Which one is best.

Allen

Planning on riding in avalanche country?

poconogeorge

no, but I will ride solo alot.

Doug5150

With some (U.S.) cell phone companies, you can get a tracking service that plots the location of the phone at whatever interval of minutes you set it to. You'd just need to inform somebody else how to access the location data.

This feature first appeared with kids phones like the Firefly (which is a kids' phone, but does not seem to mention this feature).

There are also phone-based devices now mainly for just this "locator" feature.
I have heard of them being used to help with managing people with dementias like Alzenheimer's--this is one example I found online, but you see that in this case you're paying $250 for a phone that does not even have full phone capabilities. For someone who could not use a full-featured phone this might be a good choice, but otherwise it's paying a lot more for much less.

Most of the automotive theft tracking devices I've read about seem to use a cellphone-tracker as well.

Or, did you mean a locator beacon that you can use for you? ....That would be more-accurately called a "portable GPS receiver".
~

poconogeorge

It would be for getting lost or hurt. Just a transmitter I guess.

Machka 

I ride solo a lot and I use a map and a cell phone.

Where are you planning to ride?

poconogeorge

Grass Valley, CA
There are alot of "dead areas" around here so the cell won't really work for me. That's why I was wondering if you guys used a rescue beacon of some sort. I guess I will check out GPS.

spinnaker

You'll need a GPS and or a map to avoid getting lost.

In order from best:

Mapping GPS and map.
Regular GPS and map (with latitude and longitude, not many road maps have this)
Map

Of course you need to know how to read a map. A compass can help. Of course you know how to use that too.

Mapping GPS devices are an incredible tool. I highly recommend if you can afford it.


A G shock device would be a great idea for a bad fall. Experience a fall with X Gs and it would automatically dial 911. Yet another million dollar idea where I will never make a million.

poconogeorge

Thanks, I am checking out a G shock now.

spinnaker

They don't exist as far as I know. It was an idea.

I know they do have G shock devices that break at a set amount of Gs. They use them in shipping, but it is only to know that the box has been through rough handling. It does not transmit. You know it was set off my opening the box.

vbclown

As others have mentioned, some cell phones with A-GPS built in are a reasonable priced way to go if you are riding in placed with cell coverage.

But if you want a great emergency device that will work anywhere, then consider the SPOT. It has GPS and Satalite data capabilities. https://www.findmespot.com/Home.aspx

deraltekluge

https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/emerbcns.html

https://www.offroute.com/category/cat...FSUaagodZiP3tg

StephenH

I'm not too up on the electronics, but don't they have satellite cell phones (ie, signal broadcast via satellite so there's no dead spots?) If you don't actually use them for yakking to your buddies like normal people, that might be an idea.

By the way, somebody mentioned avalanches. They do make signal devices for skiers and snowshoers in avalanche country that sends out a signal just so they can find you if you're buried in an avalanche. That would be pretty pointless for any other application, though. I think you depend on the skiers you're with to do the locating- it's not like the FBI zooms in on you or something.

SwimBike

check into the emergency beacons. I know in some states like NH you have to pay all of your expenses for an evacuation. So if a beacon goes off and the heli comes, the search and rescue comes, it is all on your dime.

I have not heard of any specific stories of this happening but have heard this warning many times.

Thurnau

https://www.breitling.com/orbiter/breit97/eng/emerg.html I wonder if this would work?

poconogeorge

The reason I asked such a seemingly stupid question is I do have recco reflectors in some of my ski clothes and I was wondering if you guys used a similar device. I just moved out to NorCal from the east coast and holy s*#$ is it intense and huge out here. I never was a great rider so I thought I might take some precautions. I am going to contact the rangers and get their input. Thanks for all you ideas, I will check them out further. Thanks again all.

slvoid

You can get a satellite locator beacon but don't plan on using it if you plan to get into a dangerous situation unprepared or if you're using it for something minor cause once you hit the button, you're gonna have like, a group of helicoptors coming after you and in a lot of places nowadays, you're gonna have to fork over the bill unless you can prove that it was an unavoidable situation.

Doug5150

The only satellite phone I've seen cost several thousand dollars (just a couple years ago) and using it cost twelve dollars a minute. The person said it was an Iridium phone, but I don't remember what kind--it had a antenna that folded out of the phone's own little briefcase.

And anyone in mountain country with Sirius or XM radio in their car will tell you that they often can't get a signal while in deep valleys.

Those only transmit a signal that will reach for a few dozen yards at best.

-------

How about just pre-planning your route and then informing someone else or two, so they know to act if you don't return on schedule?...
~

Lurker1999

Instead of a full-fledged PLB maybe a Spot messenger instead?

https://www.findmespot.com/Home.aspx

black_box 

spot looks pretty good with the option to txt message friends with a location on google maps.
https://www.findmespot.com/ExperiencingSPOT/OnLand.aspx

The breitling will be obsolete next year?

https://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraff...6/aim0602.html

CastIron

The adventure M/C set are really enamored with these. Their demands are, well, far more demanding in this area.

DallasSoxFan

I did an MBA class project for this company. It is a watch locator for Alzheimer patients. I think they are around $200 with $20/month fee.

https://emfinders.com/

Little Darwin

I don't know the range, but my uncle and cousin use a pair of GPS/Radio units that can keep track of each other when they are out hunting. I believe they are Garmin units.

poconogeorge

I agree that pre-planning having my family and friends know my route and schedule is a must, along with my maps and compass. I am in my 40s now and tend to be much more cautious in my old age. When I was in my 20s and 30s I've broken my arm in the woods and have been lost in the Adirondacks and Catskills, I have also gone over a gaurd rail at 30-35mph and down a 500 ft revine in the Gunks along with slipping of trail I hit a tree and got a two inch gash in my scalp (which blead like a bit#$) and at this age I don't feel unbreakable anymore. Eventhough I don't have the best skill sets I know me and I will try something above my level and I will most certainly deviate from my plan. I am going to call the park rangers in my region and get some advice as well as checking some of these neat gadgets out. Thanks much.

poconogeorge

This sounds like the ticket. I've seen it on tv but never checked it out. Thanks