SPOT

[AZLOT69]

NEW PRODUCT- "SPOT" IS A PERSONAL SATELLITE MESSENGER. LIGHTER-CHEAPER THAN A SATELLITE PHONE OR EPERB.

JUST OUT-THIS IS THE FIRST GENERATION AND I'M SURE THEY WILL GET EVEN BETTER. i'VE TESTED IT AND VERY HAPPY SO FAR. IT WORKS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUPERSTITIONS-FAR AWAY FROM CELL SIGNALS. BESIDES CALLING FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE YOU CAN ALERT AS MANY AS FIVE PHONES VIA TEXT MESSAGE, AND OR COMPUTERS THAT YOU ARE OK AND IT SENDS A MESSAGE WITH YOUR CURRENT GPS COORDINATES AND A LINK TO GOOGLE EARTH WHICH SHOWS EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE AT. I HIKE ALONE OFTEN SO THIS ASSURES ME AND OTHERS.

[hippiepunkpirate]

Just got to digging around for some info on the Spot/Delorme combo, and found this new gem:

http://www.rei.com/product/828146/delor ... or-android

Looks like SPOT is either gonna need to upgrade their offerings, or Delorme is gonna start taking over. 2-way > 1-way for sure!

Looks pretty sweet for all the smart phone folk. Hopefully by the time I'm in the market for a new GPS, there will be offerings of GPS/satellite communicators all in one single unit.

[Thoreau]

They also, of course, make a version that pairs to the PN-60.

As for an all in one, i kinda like them being separate. Lets ya stash the GPS for when you don't need it, but still keep emergency signalling at hand. Being able to tack the device to the top of your pack would also make for more reliable beaconing/tracking than if it were inside your GPS unit which tends to be handing lower on your kit (shoulder strap, etc.) so as to be within reach. Separate batteries I also would consider a bonus.

I can, however, see them coming up with an all in one option as well. Seems like the next logical progression. Regardless, DO WANT!!! =) (Except I do NOT want the purchase price, nor monthly fees right now...)

[PLC92084]

@Thoreau

That's a pretty nice looking unit... I'm guessing the two-way reception is the reason for the steep price; sure can't be due to Bluetooth interface. The mapping app is going to put some pressure on Garmin to be sure! I've not used the Delorme topo's but I'm sure they're on par with Garmin and Nat Geo. Competition drives innovation, right!?

As for the all-in-one units... those can't be too far off. (Moore's Law?). They should include the option to activate/deactivate features as needed to reduce monthly costs... Maybe an external antenna to clip to the top of the pack, too.

[Thoreau]

Based on info from a friend of mine, Delorme's maps are among the best of the best. At least, that's why he went with a PN-40 back in the day. The newer units also handle layering (not sure if the 40 did as well) so you can load up sat view, topo, street level, etc. for a given area.

I'd be more excited about the mapping app for Android if my Droid 2 Global didn't already suck for battery life. I'm sure that killing the 3g connection and wifi and only needing the core OS and bluetooth active would help, but I'm not sure how much. I really look forward to hearing first hand reports from owners when they do launch this thing. Having cancelled my SPOT service some time ago in anticipation of upgrading to their SPOT Connect device for smartphones, and also having recently got into off roading, I'd really like to have the added piece of mind that that new device would offer. Between cell coverage, ham radio coverage, and sat coverage, I think it's pretty safe to say that I could summon help in all but the most apocalyptic scenarios!

[PaleoRob]

Satellite subscription rates currently unavailable

Hmm...

[Thoreau]

Satellite subscription rates currently unavailable

Hmm...

REI is slacking!

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeC ... tion=10820

Click on the 'Subscription Plans' tab =)

[hippiepunkpirate]

I've been pretty impressed with the DeLorme topos that came with mine, but I don't have much to compare it with, except for the MyTOPO overlays that we have here in the HAZ MapDEX, which seem exactly the same as the topos that come with the Nat Geo TOPO! software (scanned versions of the USGS Topos from the 60s). Comparing the two maps, the DeLorme is much more up to date with existing streets, roads and property lines, which is a real help for me when I'm trying to figure out if I'll be hiking on private property, state trust land, and whether or not neighborhood access is possible to some places. The "foot trail" lines on the DeLorme map seem to be exactly the same as the trail lines on the Nat Geo / MyTOPO / Scanned USGS Topos so I'm not expecting a lot of accuracy out of those. The DeLorme Software for the computer did take some getting used to, but I have been using it extensively as of late because of its advantages over the older maps.

[big_load]

I'd be more interested in the ACR ResQLink PLB, which now has "OK" messages and is a true PLB.

[Sun_Ray]

No issues with my SPOT II since started using it in February of this year.

[Sredfield]

I just received an email from SPOT, they hare having a $50 rebate on purchases of the Messenger model till 12/31. Remember, these are as much for the folks at home as they are for the hiker.

[PatrickL]

I'm strongly considering getting one of these for my family's sake. The ability to let them know I'm okay when I'm alone somewhere would take some weight off of their/my shoulders. The custom text feature on the Connect seems like it would be extremely handy compared to the single "I'm ok" on the other models. The positive comments have me sold, but the iffy/negative comments have me on the fence...

[Alston_Neal]

Our son just left Monday morning on a month long trip that will end in Seattle.
Good friends of ours gave him a Connect, plus a years fee paid for.
Now if only our spawn could/would just figure it out... :bdh:
If in the event he does I'll post up comments.

[PatrickL]

I'll stay tuned.

[The_Eagle]

but the iffy/negative comments have me on the fence...

What are your concerns?

[PatrickL]

Mostly just the sending of messages. The long delays and the instances when they don't send at all almost defeat the purpose. But maybe that's not a very frequent occurrence?

[Thoreau]

that all depends on the location, unfortunately. I've been to a lot of places that SPOT wouldn't even have a chance (mainly canyons) but it was always nice to have at least a chance most of the time. Now I'm holding out for the funds (perhaps selling my two SPOT units?) to get the DeLorme 2-way system. At least if it doesn't work, you find out right away and can immediately move on to plan C.

[johnr1]

We acquired a SPOT II last fall and I have been using it for hiking (but not climbing). It has been a huge relief for my spouse to know where I am and that it I am okay. She logs onto the spot web and can follow the track I am on, even when it leads to a post hike bar with Tibber. I send an OK message about once an hour which generates an email she receives on her smart phone when she is away from the computer. I have one of the text messages programmed as "I am running late" and the other to "John is OK" which seems to work well.

My origional concerns had to do with the satellite coverage. SPOT uses Globalstar as their text message relay and Globablstar has a pretty wimpy constellation compared to Iridium or the aircraft PLB derivitives. The spot two tries several times to send a message which appears to work at finding some hole to view the satellite during its horizion to horizon pass.

I had concerns that the GPS receive wouldnt be reliable but so far the major lost locks have occured due to low batteries or dropping my pack on the ground and hiding the antennas view of the sky. Speaking of batteries, I had a set last two weekends even when turned on in the house for the week in between. Cant do that with my Garmin ETREX.

There is also some concern for interference to the GPS from the SPot since they operate on frequencies that are close with very low receive signals and pretty strong transmit. I carry the Spot hgh on the left pack strap and the GPS low on the right and have not seen any evidence of interference.

False alarms seem to have been eliminated because the "SOS" button is covered and cant be accidently pushed. When pushed the SPOT calls houston (appropriate) where the emergency center is located and they will contact the rescue folks .

The SPOT people dont seem to have the best Web designers but the site can be made to accept your money. We also filed for and received the $50 rebate which was promptly spent at REI where I got it.

Bottom line is the device is very valuable to the families of thoes of us who hike alone and esp. for people like Patrick who can throw down some challenging hikes. Even if you are knocked out and cant push the SOS button spot will show where you are because the track will be constant at that location.

Full service is a bit pricey but well worth it in our opinion.

[chumley]

Has anybody ever inquired with their health and/or life insurance provider to see if there's some kind of discount for using a SPOT? Or would that simply notify them that you are into potentially risky activities that they currently don't know about?

[PatrickL]

Sound advice, John.

I can see canyons being an issue, but how about remote, wooded areas? For example Blue Range Primitive Area. It seems like as long as a GPS could snag a signal, the Spot wouldn't have much of an issue...

[johnr1]

I can see canyons being an issue, but how about remote, wooded areas? For example Blue Range Primitive Area. It seems like as long as a GPS could snag a signal, the Spot wouldn't have much of an issue...

steep and narrow canyons are a problem as is triple canopy jungle. The spot has to get a rather weak signal to a satellite a few thousand miles away and it has to have line of sight to it. (Cell fones operate at similar frequencies and powers but only have to go 10 to 50 miles)The SPot developer tries to improve the connection probability depending on the urgency. For example, it sends a signal every 10 minutes in track mode and hopes that there will be a satellite in view some times. The satellites move from horizon to horizon in about 15 minutes? and their ground track changes with the earth rotation. Hopefully a satellite lines up with the canyon once in a while. In the message mode, the SPOT sends the message a couple of times but closer together. Finally in SOS mode she calls continuously. The hope is that the most important message has the best chance of getting heard. If nothing gets through at least SAR would know your last position and time which makes finding you a little easier.

BTW, I have no connection to SPOT and this info has not been verified by them - its just what I remember from my research and experience with the unit.