Steve,
Good excuse for a sat phone...
Worth every penny. Would have saved a lot of headaches in this situation.

No doubt. I will have to check them out but last I saw they were a bit out of my price range. My old SPOT does not have text or email capability so I am thinking to upgrade. We know however the shortcomings of the written word.

Coyote wrote:No doubt. I will have to check them out but last I saw they were a bit out of my price range. My old SPOT does not have text or email capability so I am thinking to upgrade. We know however the shortcomings of the written word.

I have the help button on my spot set to say "not crashed and am not injured, but need assistance." I am hoping that will be answered by someone flying in to my location.

A1Skinner wrote:

Coyote wrote:No doubt. I will have to check them out but last I saw they were a bit out of my price range. My old SPOT does not have text or email capability so I am thinking to upgrade. We know however the shortcomings of the written word.

I have the help button on my spot set to say "not crashed and am not injured, but need assistance." I am hoping that will be answered by someone flying in to my location.

I am a strong advocate for using the spot to reach my pals if I am in need of assistance. I'd rather mobilize this community to get me out of a bind, or even find my crash site rather than the typical junk show that emerges and prevents effective help from reaching me.

Agree 100% scolopax. If I could have texted my pal the results would have occured sooner and nobody else would be the wiser. Had to have the ability to tell him to bring a spring set though.

I guess I'd rather have a buddy come out and pick me up, and I could pay for his fuel to bring me back out with parts rather then sitting there and having emergency crews show up and having to deal with the FAA.

Extensive research (3 yrs ago) I bought an Inmarsat ph - $600, 6 month plan 30 min - $100
I renewed the plan recently, price went thru the roof - $400 annual activation with 10 free minutes inc.

Sure there is something better/cheaper out there now but still, $40 month is cheap considering peace of mind it provides.

"didnt crash, not hurt" message leaves a lot to the imagination of a concerned loved one.

My 2c,