Spot 2 vs. McMurdo Fast Find

Craig,
I have a FastFind.

Recent reviews of the FastFind have been good. Sensitivity and ability to literally “fix and broadcast out of a foil wrapped bucket” was demonstrated Here.

FastFind is supported by some government agency versus a commercial entity for SPOT. In a BPL analysis a few years ago, it was the “back office” support that contributed to many of the reliability issues for SPOT, in addition to it’s first generation chipset. So in theory, with a new chipset and the bugs rung out, SPOT ought to be OK.

With that said, I noticed that Skurka gave up on it about 1/3 of the way into his trip. No idea why. Nothing mentioned. Just not there anymore.

Then there is the subscription cost of SPOT.

I carry the FastFind simply for my piece of mind, and to provide the same for my wife. I play it safe, as well as take enough drugs to hopefully self-rescue. But if the chips are down, I’ll push the button. And hope a storm isn’t blowing in.

So for me – today – I’d buy FastFind. I want 100% assurance that if it should work it would work.

A PLB (any PLB) will have a stronger transmitter, and thus has a greater likelihood of getting through tree cover, out of canyons, etc. So my feeling is that if it is one message that has to get through, I'd be more confident in a PLB. On the other hand, a SPOT can be used differently, if you use the tracking feature, because you can send a series of messages which show your progress, and thus if you suddenly have no progress for several days (which could be because you are too badly off to even operate the device), somebody would at lease know where to start looking. In that same situation with a PLB, if you can't use the device, nobody knows where you are or if you are in trouble.
On the third hand, though, if folks at home are counting on the messages, and one or more does not get through due to the device failing to connect, they can become worried and go through hell while you are fine (this happened to me with a first-generation SPOT).
My own choice would be the PLB.
Although for a one or two day adventure like you are contemplating, I might consider renting a satellite phone.

Thanks guys.
The more I research on this tonight, the more I've bean leaning towards the Fastfind.

I'm really not interested in fees, sending tracks, texting my family, etc.

I just want something that goes in the pack for a real emergency, something simple that is ready to go whenever I am. Something you only mess with if you believe you're completely screwed, not for communication.

They're almost totally different tools from each other…It seems a bit of a Rorschach test concerning which one an individual would choose- very subjective to needs/personality.

SPOT has a transmission strength of 0.5 watts.
FastFind has a transmission strength of 5.0 watts.

Unfortunately, this isn't just a difference in stats. Real-world tests have shown quite a few situations in which a SPOT message failed to get out. Haven't seen anything but 100% reliable reports on a working PLB.

This one thing was more than enough to convince me.

Not sure if this is true of the SPOT 2, but the original NEEDED a GPS lock (sometimes a difficult thing under tree cover or harsh weather). The FastFind will use a GPS lock if it can get one, and satellite doppler location if it can't (this is slower because it has to wait for a satellite to pass overhead, but very reliable in adverse environments).

Bradley, in the transmitter you are confusing signal strength with RF power output.

Also, you claimed that GPS lock is sometimes difficult in harsh weather. The GPS downlink signal is almost completely unaffected by weather.

–B.G.–

I bought a fast find.

I dont want to be able to send "ok" signals as my relatives would expect them.

A very flippant and light-hearted version of this might say that a PLB is an emergency beacon, while the SPOT is a fancy-that toy.

Cheers

I don't really see the two as interchangeable. The McMurdo seems to me the best option for cutting down the time and resource that SAR would need to use to find you. The SPOT seems good for providing information to a blog, or website about how someone is progressing on their adventure. The SPOT is brilliant in concept, but seems rather lacking in execution.

"A very flippant and light-hearted version of this might say that a PLB is an emergency beacon, while the SPOT is a fancy-that toy."

OTOH, the Spot would be a very good way to keep the natives from getting restless (at home), assuming it actually worked.

I don't like the idea of sending "OK" messages.
As people have said, whoever is tracking you would come to expect them. And then if your device breaks or you fail to send one, everyone starts to panic needlessly.

I also don't care for the idea of having my wife or someone feel responsible for monitoring my progress. Simpler to simply give them a maximum trip time frame, I.E. "If I'm not home by by __________, you need to worry." and carry a PLB to self-initiate a rescue.

In fact, it was my wife that thought the "OK" messaging was stupid. Her first question was "So what if you forget to send one, it doesn't go through, or you drop it and it breaks? Am I then supposed to panic and call SAR?". She didn't like the idea of being the one responsible for monitoring my progress. She also questioned the idea of the non-emergency ("don't call SAR yet") "help" signal. It's confusing, especially given the limited ability to explain a situation.

Saying "I need help, but not from the authorities" is pretty confusing to those at home.

Her first response there was "What am I supposed to do, call all your friends and round up a posse when you'd probably need an ambulance and SAR anyway?".

She said she'd find greater security in knowing that I was in charge of my own situation and could signal help myself if needed.

I'll be going with the PLB.

I must say I'm also seriously turned off by all the added subscription fees and features SPOT offers. It stinks to much of a cellular plan.

I too bought the Fastfind for partner-peace on solo trips.

Some mobiles (signal willing) can 'track' you too – thinking of things such as Google Latitude (not sure how that is outside of urban areas).

I have Viewranger mapping on my Symbian phone and that has a 'buddy beacon' feature…not that I use it.

I agree that they're different tools. Choose wisely.

I have a Spot 2. It was a reluctantly accepted gift from my parents (an oddly common story it seems). It works pretty well most of the time. I've been in a few situations (narrow canyons, dense groves of old growth cedar in a broad canyon) where the Spot could not send a signal. It's certainly possible to break a leg in a spot where you wouldn't be able to use it for rescue. That said, those conditions seem to be fairly predictable.

The follow along on an adventure function is a mixed bag, especially for loved ones. That dimension has proven to be much more enjoyable than I thought. I've had folks here, as well as friends in town, tell me that they checked my tracker page when I was out on a trip, and got psyched to go for a run/backpack/go play in the creek with the kids. Awesome, I say.

My wife enjoys that dimension as well, but we've also discussed the potential pitfalls (I loose it or break it). Having high strung family members or friends as Spot contact persons seems like a bad idea (thus my mom is not on the email list if I hit the SOS button). In the end the planning process is little different post Spot as pre Spot, ie my wife and I have a well understood set of contingency plans, times when she will call the authorities, route maps, etc.

I enjoy the Spot, but wouldn't have bought one myself.

My opinion on the receiving end of the Spot messages makes me disdain the thing.

A friend of mine is thru-hiking right now and has the Spot (or Spot2 I dunno), and of course started out spamming "Everything is great" messages at the end of each day. After the first couple of weeks they became sporadic, and I just assumed he got lazy with it. Then they disappeared all-together for about 2-3 weeks, and I thought maybe he dropped out. Then bewp! Spot update, he's finally picking up the pace and getting some miles, but it's pretty random when he updates.

So at this point I'm just annoyed, and short of an "EMERGENCY" update, I'll just assume it's business as usual or that he bailed.

I'm not too worried about him, because I've hiked with the guy alot and I know he's capable, but I'm sure his GF freaked out the first day she didn't get an update, and no phone to call him. Let alone the 2-week segment of no transmission.

Spare your friends and loved ones and get the PLB.

Being a general aviation pilot and a backpacker, I encountered the Spot/PLB dilemma earlier this year. I wanted something that would save my life if needed.

SPOT operates around 1600MHz, PLBs on 406MHz. The lower frequency PLB signal is much more reliable and is not as affected by tree or weather conditions.

PLBs operate on a multiple satellite system consisting of geostationary and low earth orbit satellites. If you push the "SOS" button on a PLB, someone will come looking or take measures to deactivate the transmitter (sometimes for accidental activations). Each PLB has to be registered for an individual user with the government so that they know both who you are and where you are.

SPOT is a commercial service from a satellite data provider. SPOT emergency activations are "advisory" in nature and you are not guaranteed that someone will come looking for you.

For flying and hiking, I personally got a ACR Electronics SarLink View 406 PLB with the 406Link "Im OK" service. If I were only going to be using it for backpacking, a light weight Fast Find would be ideal.

Source:
Experience as an RF electronics technician and pilot,
Direct conversation with a ACR Electronics engineer.

Thank you for your insight everyone, this has made my decision so much easier.

I have a love hate relationship with my spot 1

Earlier this year I went for a solo overnight hike and got up to steep snow and the weather had turned nasty. I decided I was not prepared for snow and turned back. over the next 6 hours I sent a dozen messages back to my wife figuring she would see from the map that I had turned back and to pick me up at the trail head. due to the weather/trees/valley she never got any of the messages and I ended up walking down the road for two hours before I hitch a ride back to town.

A few weeks ago I hiked 68 miles from Rainy Pass to Manning park on the PCT. we had 4 days to do it but due to weather changes we decided to pick up the pace and do it in 3 days. we were sending spot messages a couple of times a day from high passes. My wife could see that we were ahead of schedule and was able to predict with in a an hour when we would arrive at manning park. It sure was nice to see her there as we walked out of the woods.

I also find the buttons not that intuitive and have to bring a cheat sheet to remind me how to punch the buttons

Are you getting the $250 one, think its called the 210? What difference between that and the pricier ones?

I plan on buying the 210 tonight.
I was given $250 to purchase a PLB, so it fits perfectly.
I haven't checked into the others as I'd prefer to keep my cost down.

I'd say I'd post a report on it down the line…but hopefully there's nothing to EVER report other than "…yes, it sits in my pack rather well, I like the color, and the test button works when I press it".

It sounds like your mind is made, but you may still want to read these reviews:
Equipped.com McMurdo Fast Find PLB

Equipped.com blog

250$ for gear …. home u got her a good mother's day card

id go PLB

Javan writes: " it's pretty random when he updates".
I propose this is user error; not the fault of the device.
To use the Spot the message receiver should be given clear instructions and have clear expectations. The sender should follow whatever protocol he/she designs and communicates to the receiver ahead of the trip.

Do you even need something for the main trails in the Grand Canyon on a weekend? When I've been there you'd just have to wait 30 seconds for someone to come by.

I have the Spot 1 and it's only failed to get a messages out twice and both times from the same spot, the TH for segment 4 of the CT. Which is not that heavily treed so that's strange. Other than that it's worked fine every time. I only send messages to my wife and daughter so I don't have a bunch of people worrying about me anyway. I have very specific instructions for her, including lack of a check in message means nothing. Before I had one I would rigidly stick to the route I specified. Now I go over options in the area and show her how to tell if I've changed my route based on a message showing I've deviated from the original route. My help button is programmed to say meet me at the TH in case of car problems. If I have a dead battery and I'm 15 miles from cell coverage so there's no calling AAA, I'd really like a ride. I don't see any practical use for it in the backcountry.

I've been very happy with mine. It works great especially for a "toy". (I've always liked toys.) YMMV. I'd even like to have the Earthmate GPS/SPOT combo that can send text messages. I already carry a GPS and SPOT anyway but the combo is just too expensive. But with them you could send useful information if you were delayed, etc.

I own a Spot 2, actually my second unit. The Spot is very neat and could be useful. Unfortunately, I've already had one unit fail (during an overnight 125 mile backcountry mountain bike race). It caused my family to wonder what in the world was happening, and I spent too much time screwing around trying to get it to function (during the race).

Customer service for replacing the unit was easy and fast. Still, the lack of reliability now has me questioning whether I can really count on the Spot working when I need it to. The first unit worked for just over a month…

baker

I purchased the Fastfind 210 last night.
Now I'm having trouble registering it- apparently someone has registered he number of my unit with SARSAT/NOAA already…They're working on sorting it out for me right now.

As for needing a PLB for the Grand Canyon, I agree, totally unecessary. But it's a gift from mom to make her and my wife happy, so I'm not complaining.