stanhope2003
 |
Without going overboard I'm trying to decide on some quality durable mountaineering electronics to bring/use for 4 seasons in New Hampshire and possibly other locations in the future.
1. I'm thinking of purchasing the new SPOT Sat. Messenger. Anyone use it yet? How was the old SPOT?
2. Garmin Rino 530hcx GPS. Have heard good things. Might wait till the price comes down a bit so i can convince a friend to buy a second one to use the two way radio feature.
3. Motorola 2 way Radios. Not sure if it's overkill.
4. Avalanche Transceiver. Very expensive again. And it is NH not Colorado or Alaska.
Any suggestions or advice?
|
climbhigher
 Cred: 16693 Joined: Jan 06 |
|
I'll go one at a time here:
1. I'm thinking of purchasing the new SPOT Sat. Messenger. Anyone use it yet? How was the old SPOT?
Great Product, useful to have with you in all sorts of outings. The custom message and "OK" message are great, especially if you have a significant other who's worrying. At the click of a button you can let them know everything is going well. The new features are really impressive, and it will be exciting to see what comes out in the next 5 years with this technology. This is a yes to get.
2. Garmin Rino 530hcx GPS. Have heard good things. Might wait till the price comes down a bit so i can convince a friend to buy a second one to use the two way radio feature.
Well this really depends. There are a lot of great GPS models to choose from, if you can get a friend to pick one up as well it go for it. Otherwise youll just be lugging around some extra weight.
3. Motorola 2 way Radios. Not sure if it's overkill.
If you get a regular GPS get these, and the price will still be cheaper.
4. Avalanche Transceiver. Very expensive again. And it is NH not Colorado or Alaska.
If you are in any risk of avalanches, get one. But you must be trained and everyone else in your party must be trained or else this is useless.
Have a good one,
Matt |
jonnymtman
 |
Good day,
I can only speak for the Motorola radios. We take a lot of high school students for adventures and these have been helpful in keeping track of the groups as we get spread out.
Unfortunately the range is small; we have the top line prosumer models (MR350). With for units we can communicate only about 2mi by relay, front calls middle, middle call the back.
Unless your group is more than 6, I would say it is much better to stick to gather.
I don't know you, but if you are nervous about being the backcountry I think that reading some books and taking some classes with your local mountaineering group would be much better money spent than electronics that may help you reach help.
Hope this helps |
