Inflatable choice hypalon vs. PVC

[Franklin]

that is really good to know--is less costly than epirb and therefore more readily use able for those with low budgets--and friends and family can find ye!!

No, it's actually more expensive than the EPIRB. You can get a personal EPIRB for about $200 at WM. The spot has a $100 a year subscription and I think the cost of the unit is $50 on sale. An EPIRB has no subscription, just a one time cost. The personal EPIRB is basically same as regular EPIRB except registered to the person and not the boat with half a battery life which is fine for coast cruising. The one thing you can't do with an EPIRB is send messages to friends and family and let them know where you are.

 

[chuckwayne]

We've had our Spot since they came out and it's performed flawlessly here in NE. I added my cell and email to the msg list so I can check delivery and it's never missed. It's also very accurate- I first tested it in a Portland parking lot and the google earth sat photo showed the location of the spot as the correct parking spot.
Spot uses the Globalstar data network, not the phone transponders that are having issues. We have an EPIRB on board, too, but the spot serves a useful purpose and is an economical alternative if you're not going to spring for an EPIRB or PLB. In addtion, it lets you notify family and friends where you are.