Bushwalk Australia

I am currently looking to get either a dedicated plb or a garmin style gps with sos.
My primary need is sos, and secondly, a gps back up to my smart phone hiking app. I have a compass and map experience, 10 years in army but need sos as i hike alone

The cheaper/lighter plbs don't give the user a gps location, they only signal that when the sos button is pressed and that signal goes to the rescuers not the user.

Garmin inreach/spot devices require a subscription paid (monthly/yearly?) inorder to be able to use the SOS function.

If the phone fails .. you will need a paper map even if some other device tells you location. Oh .. one of the inreach devices has a map capability.

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Personally for navigation back up I use a paper map, I also make notes on it. For SOS I use a PLB. The phone is a nice device while it works and the battery has charge.

Hi Hk
Phone plus battery plus plb plus map & compass should be fine!
There are some really beaut PLBs available now.
John

Thank you everyone for the reply.
I will get a plb and the money I save from buying a garman and subscriptions will go towards maps of my favourite hiking areas.

PLB + Garmin Watch (one with maps)?

Yes, but $$$$$

bobcrusader wrote:PLB + Garmin Watch (one with maps)?

Yes, but $$$$