johnplav Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 One of my buddies is planning on getting a GPS locator beacon for his Dad since he's getting older and hunts alone. Anyone have any experience with these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moog5050 Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 3 minutes ago, johnplav said: One of my buddies is planning on getting a GPS locator beacon for his Dad since he's getting older and hunts alone. Anyone have any experience with these? My wife makes me wear one, always. Lol. Sorry. It’s a good idea. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loworange88 Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 Its likely not as good as a beacon product, but most phones offer a GPS locator. Iphones have the find my iphone feature...only works if the service is good and the battery is charged up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cachemoney Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 The Huntstand app you can use on your phone has a friend finder option on it. We use it everytime we go into the field, just in case. Its probably a lot cheaper than a stand alone product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loworange88 Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 9 minutes ago, cachemoney said: The Huntstand app you can use on your phone has a friend finder option on it. We use it everytime we go into the field, just in case. Its probably a lot cheaper than a stand alone product. Does the "friend" have to be a user of the app? Or will it send a notification to someones spouse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnplav Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 These locators go for $200-300 and in case of an emergency, they basically send out an SOS with the location. I didn't know anything about them until my friend asked. Seem like a good idea if someone is lost or injured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cachemoney Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 16 minutes ago, loworange88 said: Does the "friend" have to be a user of the app? Or will it send a notification to someones spouse? Yes the friend would have to have the app as well, but I believe that option is included with the free option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robhuntandfish Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 1 hour ago, moog5050 said: My wife makes me wear one, always. Lol. Sorry. It’s a good idea. Well at least it comes in handy when your hunting too. Lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachunter Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 I have a Garmin in reach gps. Mines the 66i a little more detailed gps,but they sell a mini for what you want it’s nice because you can suspend the service when not needed,plus if your farther texted you it shows you where he is on a map. I pay $60 a month but there’s a cheaper plain with less texting. I can tell you it works. I’ve texted people all over the country with no issues at all. To me up in the ADK’s it’s worth it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billyb6 Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 I also have an inreach that I have used on a couple Caribou hunts. As stated before there are smaller options but mine works fine for me. It allows you to use the SOS function but also allows you to text anyone- so your dad could keep in touch with you. They are a pain to type on but you can Bluetooth to your phone to make it easier. They have plans that you can activate and deactivate- which is what I do. I pay like $39 a month . You can activate it just for the fall hunting seasons. I got it to use up in AK but the family likes the fact that I can communicate when necessary in the Adks as I normally hunt alone at camp and ther's no service. A text every couple of days is easy and makes for a happy wife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtTime Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 I don't have one but, I know a few people who hike the 46 alone all year who swear by them. Is your buddy looking for a personal locator beacon or a satellite messenger type? Some models on both run around $300 plus the monthly service. If it was me I would get the messenger type so people would know whay I was sending the signal. I wouldn't count on a cell phone for this type of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckmaster7600 Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 I have an in reach and wouldn’t recommend it. I have had terrible luck with mine since delorm sold it to garmin.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachunter Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 I have an in reach and wouldn’t recommend it. I have had terrible luck with mine since delorm sold it to garmin.Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkWhat kinda problems? I’ve had mine for a year now and use if in the spring and fall with no issues. I’m used to the texting platform they use so it’s not an issue for me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckmaster7600 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 What kinda problems? I’ve had mine for a year now and use if in the spring and fall with no issues. I’m used to the texting platform they use so it’s not an issue for me. Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkSometimes messages take an hour, sometimes they take a day.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GGNYC Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 I've had the inReach mini for a couple of years and the larger one before that and it has been really solid. The Earthmate app pairs with the inReach via Bluetooth and texting is just like on your phone. The weakness of any of these type of beacons/GPS/SAT devices is having a clear view (connection) to the satellites. In the ADKs it can get pretty thick, but if I really want a message to get out I just step into a clearing to make sure it gets through. Our group hunts where there is no cell service and we all use our inReach to text back and forth. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachunter Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 Sometimes messages take an hour, sometimes they take a day.Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkI always ask the person I’m texting to send me the tome they receive the text it’s always with in minutes. The farthest I’ve text was my buddy in Wyoming. He got in a few minutes. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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