Howdy everyone.....I got a 2007 X2 Sportsman 500 back in September and I like it lot. Matter of fact...a whole lot. This forum helped with my descision on this purchase.....so thanx everyone. The places I like to ride are Northern California and parts of Nevada. There is very little if any cell phone coverage in these remote areas. It sounds by some of the postings on this forum that a lot of you ride in sparse areas too....this is why I bought a PLB (personal locator beacon). No matter where I am if the need arises on a life and death situation, I can get help. The PLB I have when activated will acquire my GPS position and transmit it along with my personalized identifier code through the SARSAT satellites. They will alert Search and Rescue in the closest area to you of your position and personalized information. It also has a transponder signal for the ground Search and Rescue to help locate and close in on your position. I will not go for any ride without it......things do happen.

 

That would be great. I rolled my SP800 @ 11,000 ft in the Seirra mts, far away from any one. If it had rolled on top of me or if I had not been able to upright the quad I would have needed the PLB. How much are they and where do you get one?

 

thats why we never go along ways form anywgere w/out a riding buddy. to dangerous.

 

PLBs are a great idea, especially when you live out West where trails go on for hundreds of miles. I agree with Stendori. Either ride with a friend or get a PLB. Cabelas has a couple from $450-$650. Bass Pro Shops from $550-$650. If I lived out West I would definetly consider one. There are not too many people that can pick up my 350 pounds.

 

Why not post a pic of your X2, what color did you get? I have a red one and like it very much.

 

Goodmorning.....#1, the best price I found was at anchorexpress.com. I got the ACR ResQFix. It comes with a floatation pouch. #2, riding with a buddy is wise but you may be several hours away by ATV to any help and you may need to stay to help stabilize the situation. If all works well, SARSAT will have your siganl or location within three minutes or so. #3, pics will be coming soon. (camo).

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: stendori

thats why we never go along ways form anywgere w/out a riding buddy. to dangerous.</end quote></div>

I know ridding buddies are good but I can't always find one. I had done all the right things, I told people where I was going and when to expect me back, I left a note in my truck with the same info, I took along my survival pack good for 4 days. I was going on a 2 day camping trip so my racks were loaded, and that raised my center of gravity. That and the rough terrain (big granite bolders) caused the roll over. I was on the Dusy Ershim trail which is rated one of the most dufficult 4x4 trails in the country. Moral of the story don't over load your racks. Some places are too remote to rely on a buddy in an emergency. I was 3 to 4 hrs from the trail head and another 3 hrs to the nearest ranger station.
It would be nice to have the peace of mind of a PLB.

 

Hey No Joke

Looks like you have done some research and am wondering what the monthly charges are for a PLB service? Here where I live in west central Idaho at the north end of Hells canyon it's about as remote and inaccessible as it gets. My ranch is 35 miles from a paved road and 5 miles 4 wheel drive from the county road. The few of us that live in this part of the Snake River drainage use satellite phones with service from Globalstar. The Globalstar phone is capable of giving let's say life flight your GPS position along with you being able to talk. Now with the Globalstar if you were hurt really bad and could not talk you would probably be in real trouble. The satellite phone has served me well. I have had it 10+ years and have not yet had to use it in a life threatening situation.

Paid $800.00 for the phone about 10 years ago and the monthly service charge was $25.00. Have sense upgraded to a $80.00 a month plan and that has worked well but am always looking for better things.

Wrecks happen weather horseback or on a quad or just hiking. I learned years ago living where there is no help maybe for days that it was the decisions that I made that really made the difference. All the technology in the world won't help if you make a mistake and do something really stupid and I have plenty of those.

Everybody have a safe day.

 

Howdy kcebcj.....the registration and use is free. The PLB cost me 550.00 and I feel that me and my friends that are riding with me is worth the initial cost. You may run across a riding incident thats not even related to your ride and are able to help someone else in dire straits. Read the registration form at the bottom of this link. https://beaconregistration.noaa.gov/rgdb/forms/plb.pdf

 

Hi everyone. Newbie here...about to take delivery of an 800 Sportsman with a plow to FINALLY deal with the stinking 18% grade driveway.

On the topic of PLB's, I ride motorcycles off-highway and in some very remote places, sometimes out of the country, for days and weeks at a time. I've wrestled with the PLB and sat phone question for some time. Fortunately for all of us, Globalstar has just released a fantastic product that addresses a lot of my concerns about being able to get help if necessary, send a simple message to friends or family that everything is okay or that help is needed. The best part of this is the cost - very affordable.

Check it out: www.findmespot.com

I won't bore you with the details and technical aspects of this - that's all covered on the website - but suffice to say that it functions like a cross between a PLB and a sat phone at a great deal less in cost.

I have no affiliation with this company, but have been using the product for the past couple of weeks with great results.