PLB vs InReach - Which device would work best for your needs?

[@justjonoutdoors]

Great video with excellent points all the way around. For me, since my wife does not hike with me, the ability for her to “watch” me hike on a near-real-time map, and the ability to maintain two-way communication even when I am well beyond any hope of cell service is worth every penny…

[@alpine_squad]

Appreciate your feedback, Jon! Totally agree that if two-way communication and your progress updates on a map keep your wife happy then spending this sort of money for her peace of mind & permission is totally worth it! 😂

[@aspiringalpinist]

Great video!

[@alpine_squad]

Thank you 🙏 We’re keen on watching your progress in tackling Mt Cook in the future! That’s what we all initially up to in Aotearoa 🙌 🇳🇿 aren’t we? 😉

[@alertbox]

A lot of work went into producing this video. Thanks.

[@alpine_squad]

Indeed! Appreciate your comment☺️

[@44glove]

Very useful video - thanks! Think I’m going the PLB option…

[@alpine_squad]

Hey, thank you. That was our goal: to show the difference and help individuals make informed decisions. We wanted to ensure that everyone had the information they needed to choose wisely.

[@jshepard152]

This is one of the better comparisons I've seen. Sat messengers like Inreach are lower power devices (1.6 watts for InReach - Spot is way less), which means they have shortcomings relative to PLBs. Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) can transmit at 5 watts power, allowing them to punch thru poor conditions much better than sat messengers. PLBs have enough power to transmit directly to geostationary satellites, which stay directly overhead relative to the Earth. Sat messengers like Inreach can't do that. In the continental US, there are two geostationary NOAA satellites overhead at all times, capable of picking up PLB distress signals very quickly - usually less than 5 minutes. Then they can backup on a large network of other satellites in LEO. So it's likely that your PLB distress signal will be picked up more quickly than a Spot/Garmin distress signal. Sat messengers access a private network with a satellite passing over every 90-100 minutes. Plus, your PLB distress message won't get hung up over some payment issue that you're unaware of. In a real life and death emergency in unknown conditions, when time counts, anywhere on Earth, PLBs are the best choice.

[@alpine_squad]

This is such a comprehensive overview on PLB vs Inreach signal readability and speed. Thanks for your comment, appreciate your knowledge share! We totally agree that the most reliable thing from the urgency of response point of view would be a PLB… We always carry one with us in our climbing and mountaineering adventures in remote areas. Still, we imagine for those doing less challenging outdoor adventures Inreach can add an extra layer of phycological comfort from the ability to communicate with loved ones and also give the functionality of a sos button at the same time. Though totally agree that if there is a slightest chance of you getting in real trouble a PLB is your best bet!

[@holyflowerpots1400]

Very helpful thanks

[@alpine_squad]

Thank you, Holy! We are glad that our findings may help others in their outdoor journey

[@fvRodRunner]

one good point to note, the Garmin can be tracked, the PLB cannot. The PLB is only good if you hit the SOS button. Otherwise, it's useless until then. Garmin, your family, or even emergency services, can ping/track your location, even if you have not hit the SOS button

[@alpine_squad]

Yeah, you’re right. But it only is useful if you have someone to track you. In our case, we do not have family or friends concerned enough about us while climbing, so, carrying just a PLB is a good solution for us. Saves weight. But, if there’re people there that’d need to see your location and progress, having an In-Reach with you, is a very good idea!

[@classickid324]

I can see how that is useful especially if you solo hiking and fall or pass out. But in most cases, people usually do not hike alone. PLB sounds like it has a better tracking speed since it uses all 3 heights of satellites.

[@alpine_squad]

Totally agree!

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