Outdoor Adventure USA

It's as simple as this... Small easy and very portable.

I have traveled and wheeled solo more than in groups. I carry my share of survival gear and extras as My wife is with me many times. We used to ride solo to far away places--HWY 50 in Nevada. As I get older and old injuries come back to haunt me, I have to consider my limitations. The wife and I still wheel solo and I will continue to do so (unless some of you join us in Havasu or Ouray etc) but I do add or change my survival items to suit the situation. This means being able to survive longer in both extreme heat or cold, while waiting for help with the rig, as my days of hiking many miles are behind me. Looking for better options to communicate and request help if the need arises. Also, when hunting, I am many miles away from town and do hike a bit.

Non-the-less, and Eric don't feel like the lone ranger, I will agree with Larry--with the caveat that some people are more educated on survival than others. Sometimes, an educated survivalist is better able to survive than a small group of uneducated folks. By this, I mean the loner has the proper equipment and training and mindset to survive, while the group mentality sometimes is to count on someone else and no one is educated in survival and no one has the proper gear. I have run into this on the trail. Once in the mountains a group of three vehicles, in the snow got stuck. They had no gear to help themselves, no food, very little to drink and most important, no provisions for surviving in the cold. One fool had on sandals, shorts and a sweatshirt.

So, As a general rule, the buddy system is preferred, but all must be prepared. And Larry, as you and I have discussed before, one of those items that is better to have and not need, but is there to be prepared for ANY situation is a firearm and ammo. Time for me to get a beer and sit back.

Regards, Steve

Ollie or Larry or whoever, The Spot is on my list to purchase. Can someone do a current writeup on the benefits and workings of the Spot. Pros and cons. I know we had some info, but would like to see a current write up and get info on peoples experience and the spots success and or failures--as it has been out for awhile now. Ollie, is it that simple? Suppose due to weather conditions or location, rescue is three to five days away--you still need to have all your other survival items and the ability and knowledge to use them.

Thanks, Steve

ssc wrote:Ollie or Larry or whoever, The Spot is on my list to purchase. Can someone do a current writeup on the benefits and workings of the Spot. Pros and cons. Ollie, is it that simple? Suppose due to weather conditions or location, rescue is three to five days away--you still need to have all your other survival items and the ability and knowledge to use them.

Thanks, Steve

Absolutely - The Spot does not assure survival, just location and rescue...another "tool in the toolbox" so to speak. It is not a substitute for proper preparation and training (no device is).

The Spot is a very simple device to use, although I find the findmespot.com website, which is used to set up your messages, a little confusing to work through. Once done, you can push a button to start the device, and push a button to track your route for others to watch on-line, and push a button to send a preset message or call for help. The new version Spot 2 is 33% smaller, and even has indicator lights for satellite lock-on. Subscriptions are inexpensive, and offer the option of extraction insurance for about $15.00 a year.

I have the older Spot. Ollie, thanks to a mishap on the mountain this weekend, is now the proud owner of a Spot 2. I think he is going to compare and contrast both units, as he might be the only person here that has used both...

ssc wrote:I will agree with Larry- an educated survivalist is better able to survive than a small group of uneducated folks.

Sounds exactly like what I said in the "other" thread - and it is true for survival in ANY situation...

But it does sound a little elitist (Sorry, after the last thread, I couldn't resist )

ssc wrote:And Larry, as you and I have discussed before, one of those items that is better to have and not need, but is there to be prepared for ANY situation is a firearm and ammo.

I will agree with you on this - provided the person has been trained on the proper use of his firearm. Not just for personal safety in a high-stress situation, but for better odds of actually using it effectively.

Damn elitists!

For information on the Spot device, Doug Ritter of Equipped to Survive, an original OAUSA outfitter, has done some extensive testing on the unit. His Spot II just arrived and his initial impressions are here: http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=241. He promises a full review shortly. You should know that there is a recall on the second generation Spot. Get details here: http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=241.

Another very viable option is a personal locator beacon (PLB). The cost is a bit higher than the SPOT but there are no subscription or activation charges. Check out the new McMurdo Fast Find PLBs. They are smaller, lighter & cheaper, about $300.00. Very informative write-up here: http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=105.

DaveK wrote:Damn elitists!

For information on the Spot device, Doug Ritter of Equipped to Survive, an original OAUSA outfitter, has done some extensive testing on the unit. His Spot II just arrived and his initial impressions are here: http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=241. He promises a full review shortly. You should know that there is a recall on the second generation Spot. Get details here: http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=241.

Another very viable option is a personal locator beacon (PLB). The cost is a bit higher than the SPOT but there are no subscription or activation charges. Check out the new McMurdo Fast Find PLBs. They are smaller, lighter & cheaper, about $300.00. Very informative write-up here: http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=105.

The Spot 2 recall was for initial units - a battery problem - and no units currently being sold should be affected. The issue I have with EPIRB units are they do not offer any type of monitoring service, or cheap extraction insurance - just emergency rescue (which is their purpose). Ollie and I have both come to enjoy the monitoring system, knowing folks we've chosen can watch our progress, and log our trip, whether or not we have an emergency.

cruiserlarry wrote: The issue I have with EPIRB units are they do not offer any type of monitoring service, or cheap extraction insurance - just emergency rescue (which is their purpose). Ollie and I have both come to enjoy the monitoring system, knowing folks we've chosen can watch our progress, and log our trip, whether or not we have an emergency.

Just don't push the rescue button when you run out of TP in the wilderness and you won't need any insurance.

The monitor feature of the Spot is a nice feature, if you use it. It is only a one way communication, however. Your family and friends cannot communicate with you.

For the purpose of strictly calling for emergency help, PLBs are generally regarded as the best.

Dave and Larry,
Thanks so much for the info. This is just the type of information I am looking for. I still have not decided and will continue to do research. Perhaps this part of the thread or a new one on this particular subject should be placed in the proper category and made a sticky with continuing updates. Can you tell me what happens, as you understand, when you hit the help button?

Regards, Steve

We've taken this thread completely off topic... I am doing a write up on the SPOT and its capabilities and almost have it complete. I should have it up tomorrow some time. We can hash this out there.