Best place to buy a winch?

I’ve been thinking about one, especially because I backpack as well. If I can get w chance to go further into the wilderness I’ll get one

Those are only for texting your wife. The real beacons that you use in an emergency don't require a subscription but they can't sell them to most people because you can't text your wife. There is a free system that uses ~400 mhz world wide, the batteries for the mobile beacons last years because... you ain't texting your wife. If you want to get rescued ignore the stupid Garmin hype and get a real beacon, if you want to text your wife go with one of those things.
 
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Those are only for texting your wife. The real beacons that you use in an emergency don't require a subscription but they can't sell them to most people because you can't text your wife. There is a free system that uses ~400 mhz world wide, the batteries for the mobile beacons last years because... you ain't texting your wife. If you want to get rescued ignore the stupid Garmin hype and get a real beacon, if you want to text your wife go with one of those things.

WOW you sound a lot like this women. :unsure:





6mtymy.jpg
 
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Those contract sat phones depend on some stupid call center at Garmin forwarding your message to the right place to get you help, don't pay your bill you don't get help. Beacons are responded to no questions asked every time. Unfortunately some people get tricked into thinking Garmin is the real deal, it's not. It's just a sat phone that only does text messages. Guides use the Garmin system allot, it allows them to keep track of people in the back country. I guess there's nothing wrong with that. They can send text messages and get locations of all their customers when they need to without calling for help and for that it's great. If you need help alone it's just not the same thing as a real recovery beacon which is my point. The recovery beacon is a worldwide service that works anywhere, you don't have to be routed through some call center or contract service. It's what aircraft and ships use, no questions, you get help when you need it anywhere. It's what every commercial aircraft and ship carry. For the same price you can have that security and no contract. Those sat phone companies are just preying on ignorance. Their service sucks compared to the real deal. Like I said, if you want to text your wife it's super great for that.
 
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Those contract sat phones depend on some stupid call center at Garmin forwarding your message to the right place to get you help, don't pay your bill you don't get help. Beacons are responded to no questions asked every time. Unfortunately some people get tricked into thinking Garmin is the real deal, it's not. It's just a sat phone that only does text messages. Guides use the Garmin system allot, it allows them to keep track of people in the back country. I guess there's nothing wrong with that. They can send text messages and get locations of all their customers when they need to without calling for help and for that it's great. If you need help alone it's just not the same thing as a real recovery beacon which is my point. The recovery beacon is a worldwide service that works anywhere, you don't have to be routed through some call center or contract service. It's what aircraft and ships use, no questions, you get help when you need it anywhere. It's what every commercial aircraft and ship carry. For the same price you can have that security and no contract. Those sat phone companies are just preying on ignorance. Their service sucks compared to the real deal. Like I said, if you want to text your wife it's super great for that.

Post a pic of the wife and I’ll let you know if I want to text her.
 
It’s still a few hundred more with the synthetic rope, and I’ve heard good things about the x20 over the VR evo since it’s smittybilts top line vs warns bottom line

OK. Just curious. I was up against similar scenario. I ended up going with budget warn for better customer service. No issues 3 yrs still running wire but will switch to synthetic maybe at some point. Good luck with the purchase whatever route you go.
 
I’ve been thinking about one, especially because I backpack as well. If I can get w chance to go further into the wilderness I’ll get one

Solo backcountry backpacker here... I NEVER leave home without an InReach Mini..

Amazing peace of mind for both me and my family.
 
OK. Just curious. I was up against similar scenario. I ended up going with budget warn for better customer service. No issues 3 yrs still running wire but will switch to synthetic maybe at some point. Good luck with the purchase whatever route you go.
Thanks, just ordered the x20 yesterday as it was the cheapest I’ve seen it in awhile on Amazon. The price fluctuates so much, I’ve been watching it for over a year
 
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Recently had a really great experience with warn, I lost the little button head cap screw that holds the winch line in place, was unable to source one locally..........Anywho, Called up warn and was sent two screws free of charge.
 
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Those are only for texting your wife. The real beacons that you use in an emergency don't require a subscription but they can't sell them to most people because you can't text your wife. There is a free system that uses ~400 mhz world wide, the batteries for the mobile beacons last years because... you ain't texting your wife. If you want to get rescued ignore the stupid Garmin hype and get a real beacon, if you want to text your wife go with one of those things.

You have a recommendation on a PLB? Was just talking about getting one but don't want another subscription
 
You have a recommendation on a PLB? Was just talking about getting one but don't want another subscription

ACR, I stumbled across it researching their Bivy sat texting thing. You can find them at marine supply places, there are others. Overall I really think they aren't much use for land based stuff unless you are in the Himalayas but it's going to be much more effective in a real emergency.
 
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ACR, I stumbled across it researching their Bivy sat texting thing. You can find them at marine supply places, there are others. Overall I really think they aren't much use for land based stuff unless you are in the Himalayas but it's going to be much more effective in a real emergency.

I was just looking at those after seeing your first reply. I spend a lot of time in the backcountry snowboarding. No cell service. We all carry beacons but it’s to find a buried buddy… only work 60meters or so. Been talking about wanting an emergency beacon. Between Jeep and that might be worth the investment. A well trained buddy is still best safety device
 
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Seems like overkill for snowboarding. You might look into an HT like a UV-5R with the local S&R frequencies?

There’s something in between. They made a PLB but people were hitting them in resorts so they banned them. I trek a day or 2 out into mountains. Want a “panic” button. Something that could used off road as well. For similar “in case shit” moment. You seemed agains the InReach and other subscriptions. That’s what I was asking, if there’s a non subscription one you know of that’s better