We have two personal Locator beacons (EPIRB 406, GPS enabled). (one for each of us) The 406 system is free (after you buy the $500 EPRIB), it is world wide, and world wide response--not dependant on the wims of some 911 operator who may look reluctantly at a 911 call from space...
You are not paying a fee to NOAA, it is to Globalstar and to "SPOT". Not sure about the financial solvency of both Globalstar and "SPOT". Most offshore boaters prefer Iridium because of reliablity issues. We are looking at a satellite phone because of my medical issues--and we probably will go with Iridium based on multiple reports.
Yes, it is cheaper, but if you want real time tracking this is available thru ham radio APRS for the cost of the ham gear and no "service charge". I dont' know how much the SPOT service charge will be for these "extras".
What I don't understand is how you communicate. There are 4 buttons--findme, locate, "help" and 911. Will 911 responders start an expenisve search in remote locations? I dont'know--but I do know that this is a very good and reliable system with the 406 EPIRBS, which has been in existance for over 30 years--vs a new system which is not operational, and where you cannot even get hardware until Nov 1. Not proven, and financial backing is unknown as is the Globalstar network...
We would rather call specific numbers, even though it is considerabley more expensive....with a satellit phone is that is an issue.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
