GPS & PLB?

[tibboh]

Is there a GPS out there which has a built in PLB? Carry one device instead of two.
Cheers.

[neilmny]

I don't believe so but there are PLB's with GPS built in.
The nearest thing I can think of is the SPOT which can send home
a trail to those wishing to see where you are. This would not
help you unless you carried a laptop to view the trail on the web.

Keep in mind a PLB is a registerable safety device for safety purposes only.

[GPSGuided]

Also, PLB needs a protected power source, not one that goes through charge and discharge cycles. Two different purposes and should not be mixed.

[wayno]

theres the yellobrick
http://www.yellowbrick-tracking.com/img ... eet_en.pdf

you're far more likely to be guaranteed a dedicated PLB has a decent battery charge in it compared to a GPS which gets used and the battery gets drained regularly.

[wayno]

thing is though the yellow brick isnt a plb as such, it allows two way messaging via a bluetooth capable smartphone,, and if something really bad happens are you going to be able to fiddle around with a smart phone messaging your details so someone can find you, when you really just want to hit a button on a plb which tells SAR directly exactly where you are

[tibboh]

Thanks guys. Your responses are what I predicted sadly

I was hoping for a device I was unaware of......maybe there would be a market for it. Essentially a GPS with the usual replaceable batteries, then the PLB component (registerable etc) with it's seperate 6-7yr power supply from it's own internal battery. It would probably be a little larger but size and weight is comong down all the time.

In this day and age where most walkers have a PLB and GPS hopefully it's just a matter of time before some clever manufacturer makes a GPS+PLB+Satellite phone unit about the size of a current GPS. This dream machine will also have a super battery which lasts 10yrs on a single charge...........and make me a strong & hot flat white at the summit of Mt Field West, massage out my sore shoulders, have an anti-gravity device to lighten my pack, etceterahh, etceterahh, etceterahh

[icefest]

If you buy a Gamin Etrex30 and a rescueME PLB1 and superglue them together you'd have what you want. It would still be lighter than last centuries GPS units.

(Just Joking)

[wayno]

If you buy a Gamin Etrex30 and a rescueME PLB1 and superglue them together you'd have what you want. It would still be lighter than last centuries GPS units.

(Just Joking)

but don't use them at the same time or they will interfere with each others reception....