Rescue beacons et al

[MacDoc]

Good article - I'm not touring any more but still get a bit remote ...not likely enough to justify one at this point but ......

How Lost Hikers Can Send an SOS to Space

The Sarsat satellite system is a kind of celestial lifeguard for explorers, boaters, and aviators who might be in need of search and rescue.

www.wired.com

Not needing a subscription for some units is useful too.

Pretty small too. I suspect they can be rented as well.
Any real life reports.
I've seen used Spots pretty cheap.

 

[Wingboy]

Life Alert for senior bikers?

 

[Lightcycle]

I have a Garmin inReach. I've never activated the SOS beacon, but the tracking works well and it connects via Bluetooth to your phone so you can use it to send texts and short emails via the satellite network.

IMO, unless you're traveling *WELL* off the beaten path, in an area where there is virtually no chance no other traveler or vehicle will stumble upon your broken bike or body, then you do not need an SOS beacon.

We went into the bush in Death Valley with the inReach, and even in the most remote trails, there were still other ATVs and dirt bikes tooling around the area. If we had gotten hurt or stuck and activated the SOS beacon, chances are another rider would have gotten to us first before Search and Rescue would even have been deployed.

The SOS beacon is probably more of a requirement in our own backyard, in the backwoods of BC. When we go riding, even 30 minutes outside our front door, we don't see or hear anyone the entire day.

Again, my opinion only, but unless you're also carrying a machete or hand-saw in your backpack, then you probably don't need an SOS beacon. Especially if you're a pavement-only rider.

 

[GreyGhost]

Again, my opinion only, but unless you're also carrying a machete or hand-saw in your backpack, then you probably don't need an SOS beacon. Especially if you're a pavement-only rider.

I know what you mean but there have been more than a few cases of a rider launching off a road and not being found for days. Tons of traffic on road but nobody saw the crash and rider was unable to crawl back up. If nobody sees you, it may not matter if you are 20' or 20 miles away from help. Choose beacon location carefully as you can't have it fly out and you want it to be easily accessible with at least either arm (if you can press the button with a foot, even better).

 

[Lightcycle]

I know what you mean but there have been more than a few cases of a rider launching off a road and not being found for days. Tons of traffic on road but nobody saw the crash and rider was unable to crawl back up. If nobody sees you, it may not matter if you are 20' or 20 miles away from help. Choose beacon location carefully as you can't have it fly out and you want it to be easily accessible with at least either arm (if you can press the button with a foot, even better).

Fair point, but again, if there's asphalt, there's more than likely cell coverage as well, so a satellite SOS beacon is still overkill.

 

[GreyGhost]

Fair point, but again, if there's asphalt, there's more than likely cell coverage as well, so a satellite SOS beacon is still overkill.

Agree. Satellite is probably not necessary for most people, most of the time. Something with a button I can mash is far more useful than a phone that needs to be pulled out, unlocked and dialed. You can probably setup a phone for voice dial and that could be a great solution too.

 

[Lightcycle]

Agree. Satellite is probably not necessary for most people, most of the time. Something with a button I can mash is far more useful than a phone that needs to be pulled out, unlocked and dialed. You can probably setup a phone for voice dial and that could be a great solution too.

Not to belabour the point, but most SOS beacons still have some kind of protective cover that needs to be flipped open to mash the button underneath. Prevents accidental activation. And most smartphones are able to dial Emergency services without unlocking from the home screen.

I'd argue the steps needed to activate the SOS beacon are a tiny, miniscule step easier than using your smartphone. Most people opting for the SOS beacon are doing so because no cell coverage and no chance of being discovered by other incidental traffic.

 

[MacDoc]

Like Canada AUstralia is large and even a few KM off the main highway and no cell coverage and often little traffic.
Outback riders carry an epirb and with the weather extremes easy to get in trouble even on paved roads less travelled.
I always carry extra water and there was one road about 50 km with very few farms/stations tho lots of agriculture and I was thinking if the bike had an issue I'd have a tough time. Very often on even my local rides off the main highway I don't see other vehicles during the day.

I think injury from a get off is more a factor as time is critical. No off pavement for me anymore so not a factor.

This seems good value

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but I understand you need a subscription. Something not needed with Sarsat gear.
I think we will see prices come down.
Itchy Boots uses a Garmin Nav system with satellite access built in....she needs it and can afford it with her Youtube income.

Hmmmmm this looks good for me at $139 all in Australian

Spot Gen 4 Satellite GPS Messenger

Spot Gen4 gives you a critical, lifesaving line of communication when you travel beyond the boundaries of reliable cellular service. Spot Gen4 let's family, friends, and colleagues know you are ok, or if the unexpected should happen, sends your GPS location to emergency responders all with the...

www.sail.ca

but $20 a month ....too much.

 

[nobbie48]

I toured with a Spot. If there was no reason to call home I could send a pre-recorded message, usually "In for the night". It saved some long distance calls.

I tracked my route and my position was recorded and sent every five or ten minutes. Anyone concerned could Google the location and see if it was an appropriate place for me to be parked for an extended period.

 

[caje]

I bought a Garmin InReach Mini 2 this year. Realistically, it's not necessary and if I was trying to pinch pennies I wouldn't haven't gotten it.

That being said, it's really nice being able to text my wife when I'm on the road or at a campsite with no service, and it gives quite a bit of peace of mind to both myself and her that if I get into trouble on a trail I won't have to wait potentially hours for help.

 

[KLR Junkie]

I bought a Zoleo satellite comm for my ride across Canada last fall. Lots of areas up north with little to no cell coverage. It was very useful for keeping in touch with folks back home and it made me feel better about riding through areas with no cell coverage and little traffic. I loaned it to my Dad for hunting season and he's already asked to borrow it again this fall.

I'd agree that most of the time it's unnecessary, but in certain circumstances it can be worth it's weight in gold. All in all, I'm glad I bought it for my trip. I'm also glad I didn't spend the $400 for an inReach mini since the Zoleo now mostly lives in my desk drawer...