Posts moved to existing thread, after going off previous topic 
Not sure where the live thread is.
Any Pirep on Garmin InReach Mini 2?
In addition to being a PLB it claims to provide satellite messaging and weather packages.
RobertL18C wrote:
In addition to being a PLB […]It’s not a PLB, as far as I understand, it uses the Iridium satellites, not COSPAS-SARSAT.
You have the advantage of two way communication but I guess it won’t work without a GPS signal whereas a PLB (which is basically an ELT without automatic activation) does in a pinch.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_locator_beacon
I can’t say which is more reliable or better. If you’re required to have an ELT in your plane, I guess one could make an argument that the secondary device should work a different way. If you’re only required to carry a PLB, this doesn’t qualify.
This is one old summary.
Inkognito wrote:
It’s not a PLB, as far as I understand,
Maybe only specific to EASA land under NCO as in AMC3 NCO.IDE.A.170? a personal locator beacon (PLB) should have a built-in GNSS receiver with COSPAS-SARSAT (Cosmicheskaya Sistyema Poiska Avariynich Sudov Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking) and it has to be registered
PLB sits on much deep infrastructure & algorithms than GPS position messaging
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Cospas-Sarsat_Programme
Everything has a limit, PLB needs to be fired ASAP: the moment you have a small doubt you are not going to walk away from your flight…
RobertL18C wrote:
Any Pirep on Garmin InReach Mini 2?
I have the InReach Mini 1.
Does exactly what it promises: Sends position data to your loved ones at home and when paired with a mobile device (and with the required sat data subscription, of course), you can send and receive text messages from wherever you have Iridium reception. There’s also the option to send predefined text-messages directly from the device (e.g. “safely landend”).
There also is a big red “emergency” button on it – but never tested it, obviously.
For me it’s a complement not a replacement for a PLB. My better half loves to be able to track me when on longer distance flights but I won’t bet my life on the SOS button.
Interesting article.
The “https://www.backcountrychronicles.com/plb-slot-canyon-test/” link to the “PDF report” is dead.
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ACR has a small booth at Aero with some PLBs I have not seen before, like this one:
https://www.acrartex.com/products/bivy-stick/
Rechargeable.
Another query (this thread comes first on the PLB search)
I notice that PLB sellers advise they should not be used (carried?) in Denmark Germany and Poland? Is there a reason why not?
Netherlands used to require an ELT and it would be interesting to know how many light GA carry an ELT in Europe these days?
RobertL18C wrote:
I notice that PLB sellers advise they should not be used (carried?) in Denmark Germany and Poland? Is there a reason why not?
You can carry a PLB in Germany. If it is allowed to use it is a philosophical question because in the event of an emergency, nobody cares what is allowed or not as long as you get saved.
The challenge with the PLB in Germany is that there is no national COSPAS-SARSAT rescue coordination center. The only RCC we have in Germany is the Maritime RCC in Bremen that only is responsible for SAR on the Baltics or North Sea. Therefore an alert over terrain needed to be coordinated “manually” with somebody at some RCC trying to find the contacts of some local rescue. That can lead to delays – but still better than no rescue…
