New Theory in Emergency Locators

[BigMojo]

I'm new around here, so I'm not sure if this has been discussed here or not yet, but I ran across this on a fishing forum, being discussed as an alternative to EPIRB's.

Supposedly this devise will sell for $149.99 and have a $99.00/yr subscription. It has emergency activation, non-emergency help, real-time tracking by 2nd party, and text message/email updates to friends/family.

Link to company site: http://www.findmespot.com

See attached PDF with specs.

[sardak]

A independent review of the system is here:
http://www.equipped.org/SPOT_ORSummer2007.htm

It's not operational yet, so some of this may change.

The owner of the "Equipped to Survive" website, Doug Ritter, who does these reviews is sponsored by some manufacturers.  I find his reviews to be generally independent and certainly better than what you'll read in magazines and get from the manufacturers, but keep in mind he's not Consumers Union putting out Consumers Reports.

Mike

[isuhawkeye]

Hey gang.  I just got my Spot in the mail today.  Ill post some reviews on my web site when I get a chance

[BigMojo]

Cool...I'll be interested to hear your report!

[isuhawkeye]

http://isuhawkeye.typepad.com/halbrook_associatescom/2008/04/spot-recieved.html

[isuhawkeye]

http://isuhawkeye.typepad.com/halbrook_associatescom/2008/04/spot-e-mail-ale.html

[isuhawkeye]

A few of you have pinged my reviews of the SPOT.  are there any questions, or observations about this tool.   

[wingnut]

it uses GLOBALSTAR satellites

The company that CAP has very poor response with SDIS

[isuhawkeye]

Read the information. 

The SDIS system uses the Duplex side of the satellite system.  The Globalstar duplex system is unreliable, and full of holes. 

The SPOT use the simplex features of the system.

It is really quite interesting. 

[BigMojo]

Did you/they spring for the "spot casting" feature?  it's an extra $50 a year, but looks like it could be an interesting way to track ground teams...

(For those that aren't versed, there is an optional service that the Spot will automatically broadcast your location every 10min for up to 24 or until you turn it off. W/o this, you need to manually send a "check in" message.)

[isuhawkeye]

Yes the unit has that feature, but I have not played with it much yet.

This unit seams to have several SAR applications

[isuhawkeye]

SPOT casting is very cool. 
http://isuhawkeye.typepad.com/halbrook_associatescom/2008/05/spot-track.html

I'm sorry to post so many links to my blog.  It's easier for me to post the link.

If you all prefer I can cut and past the articles.  let me know what you think.

[sarflyer]

This looks like a great system to use as you described but it is cost prohibitive.  If SPOT could come out with a special deal for SAR groups like us they might just sell a bunch of units.

[isuhawkeye]

As far as I am concerned these units are very reasonably priced. 

For as much as I have used it the year subscription cost is way cheap. 

And the units are only $150.

All in ELT's and PLB's are way more expensive, and not tearly as versitile.


........Listen to me.  I sound like a sales rep. 

                           I must have found some bad Cool Aid along the trail

[Tubacap]

That is pretty interesting. What is it's connectivity like?  Does it have a fast start time, and good up-time?

Can you PM me the password to the website?

[BigMojo]

PM me the Password too please...if you don't mind.

[isuhawkeye]

The unit has all of the hang ups of any hand held GPS device.  it takes the same amount of time to get a position as any portable unit. 

as far as paswords go.

      I will not post, or pm me a pass word.  please send me an E-Mail with your name, and I will respond with the pasword.

enjoy

[isuhawkeye]

I spent the day doing some great land navigation training with tech STAR1 team.  We had a blast, and really worked hard.  I have an entire days worth of tracks on the site.  the spot was on almost all day, and clipped to my SAR vest during the field sections.  As you can see it posted pretty regularly.

[RRLE]

You might be interested in reading USCG ALCOAST 231/08: COMMERCIALLY-BASED DISTRESS ALERTING DEVICES

[isuhawkeye]

Good to know.

Thanks for the info.

[isuhawkeye]

for those of you concerned about the price check out the 2008 air venture web site.

they are giving away spot's at oshkosh this year.

[isuhawkeye]

For those of you who frequent EAA's Air Venture how about a FREE Spot
http://www.findmespot.com/eaa.aspx
http://www.airventure.org/2008/news/080529_spot.html
http://isuhawkeye.typepad.com/halbrook_associatescom/2008/06/sopt-at-eaas-ai.html

[CadetProgramGuy]

of someone is headed there, and is an EAA member, and don;t really want it.....

I'll pay for teh shipping to get one.

I can't make Oshkosh this year........


- EDIT -

Never mind..... You have to pay the 150 for the year's service up front......Won't have that cash until late fall.....

[wingnut]

global star is going bankrupt, waste your money.

CAP gets a discount on 406 units, see the national web site, you may be paying more money put it will not be flushed down the toilet. Global star will not be putting any replacement Satellites to cover the US, no market here with Cell service

[isuhawkeye]

global star doesn't have to put more satellites up to keep this system active

As was mentioned before this uses the simplex side, not the duplex

Also, this system seems to be booming.  I see thee units all over the place. If globalstar goes that away doesn't mean the technology will disappear. 

[Tubacap]

My brother just sent me one of his tracks that he and I did the other day.  He used a web based service called Motion Based.  He was using a regular Garmin GPS, but then we were able to see the track on a website.  This could be decent to assess where Ground Teams have been.

Downside is that it is not real-time, and I'm not sure how useful it is in the grand scheme of operations.  Fun to play with though.

[isuhawkeye]

for those of you who thought the SPOT wouldn't catch on, I just saw this at costco

[JoeTomasone]

What State and how much?

[isuhawkeye]

I'm in Iowa.  they had them listed for $200 with a mail in rebate of $50.

This is a higher fee than I remember them being listed for

[wingnut55]

I suggest You Google: " Spot complaints"

It is the same as SDIS,

Spot works on Global star Sats., Global Star is going Bankrupt

[isuhawkeye]

the post and picture made no mention of reliability, or stability of the company.  simply that they were catching on. 

[swamprat86]

I just saw them advertised in a REI catalog.  The price was $149 if I remember correctly plus the $99 per year subscription.