Differences between a PLB and Spot Trackers
While the SPOT tracker can send SOS messages there are a few differences in how it works.
-SPOT uses a commercial satellite network (globalstar) to transmit its data, as such there is an annual subscription cost to use it ($165USD) and it does not provide global coverage. If you have not paid your fee, not even the SOS feature will work. PLBs use a non-profit military network of satellites that have no cost to use. Once you have a PLB, register it and it's good to go.
-Due to the different satellite networks the signal path that an emergency signal takes differs. SPOT will send the signal via GlobalStar satellites to GEOS international emergency response centre in America. They will pass the information onto the RCC in Canberra.
PLBs using the military network will alert the RCC directly. The PLBs are all registered with your details so the responding team will have immediate access to any information you put on your registration (have a medical condition, put it down).
-PLBs have a homing signal at 121.5 MHz, this frequency is monitored by all RPT aircraft and they will report to air traffic control if they hear an emergency signal, this then gets relayed to the RCC. Emergency responder aircraft are also able to home in on the 121.5MHz signal. SPOT Trackers do not have this.
-PLBs have a broadcast power of 5W compared to 0.4W for SPOT GEN3. Consider the difference between a toy walkie talkie and the real radio you use... SPOT signals may not have the power to penetrate tree canopies, heavy overcast clouds, thunder storms etc.
-No matter where in the world, a PLB signal will reach emergency responders within 15 minutes, typically less than 5 minutes. SPOT GEN3 advertise a 99% chance of a single message being transmitted within 20 minutes, add time to that for the information to be processed in America, sent to Australia, analysed and acted upon. During the activation of my PLB in January, helicopter HEMS4 was on its way within 15 minutes.
-SPOT Trackers do not need to be manually activated. This can be a big deal if you have an incident are not conscious to activate your beacon. While the response will not be as quick as if you activate an emergency response, it will at the very least let others know where you are when you have not returned home/made it to the pub. Consider the advantage of always having someone holding a SARTIME that will start looking for you when you haven't checked in by a certain time.
-SPOT trackers have additional features like check in, non-emergency help request, custom message and regular tracking. These features make it a more user friendly device and for many, a more attractive option to a PLB.
SPOT satellite messengers are excellent at what they do and are certainly very useful devices, especially when it comes to requesting a retrieve after an out landing and it is on my wish list to get eventually, however I would not rely on one to get me out of dodge. It will alert emergency responders ***hopefully***.
