SPOT GPS monitor

[Black Sheep]

Apologies if this has already been done.

I was reading a mag at the Doctor's the other day and came across an article about these.....

http://www.thesafeandsecurestore.co...tracker.html?gclid=CKKPhMLKhpcCFQI_MAodPEQQ-w

While it looks ideal for the serious adventures and back packers, their main concerns where that some people may use it as "get me out of here" card when the going gets tough?

Any way just thought I'd see what you all thought?

Richard

 

[Shewie]

Like you say Richard I think they`re are a fantastic invention for the serious traveller especially when venturing into remote areas or alone in the wilderness somewhere. I`ve seen similar devices being used when searching for buried bodies in mud flows and avalanches etc. I suppose they could be used by someone who`s prepared to quit a difficult situation but if they`re not confident of their own abilities maybe that`s not such a bad thing.

A good price aswell I thought, I was under the impression that GPS transmitters cost into the thousands still.

 

[Wallenstein]

People already use their mobile phones as a "get me out of here" tool.

The benefit of SPOT is that it has the "emergency" option, for when things are really serious, but also the "help" option if you need non-urgent help.

 

[jungle_re]

You do have to pay a yearly supcripbtion though this is included for a year when you buy it. I have been looking at these serriously for a while as it would be ideal as back up for lone man working out in the sticks. Not had a job where ive been i the back and beyound for a while but when one come up next this is on the shopping list

 

[bushscout1]

IIRC it was a unit like this that lead to a girl with a broken leg being rescued from remotest Siberia not that long ago - what was interesting was that the rescue effort was coordinated from RAF Lossimouth. I think they were part of a university research group.

As I say just a little ditty from the depths of my memory so some of the 'facts' may not be so accurate.

 

[jamie18thmo]

I've just been involved in a search and rescue operation and it would have been handy if the bloke had got one of these with him. We're supposed to carry PLB's (personal locator beacons) at all times, but on this occasion I thought it wouldn't be necessary as most people can tell left from right OK! Never underestimate how easily and quickly things might/can go pear shaped! Looks like a useful bit of kit, similar but significantly different to and EPIRB.
Cheers,
J

 

[helixpteron]

There are repeated reports of this system simply failing to operate in conditions in which it may be reasonably expected to do so.

Doug Ritter on his Equipped To Survive website has reviewed the Spot Satellite Messenger System, as have three owners on the Back Pack Gear Test website and GPS Magazine.

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/mfr_reviews/SPOT

http://www.equipped.org/SPOT_ORSummer2007.htm

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2008/01/spot_satellite_messenger_perso.php?page=1

 

[crazyclimber]

helixpteron has hit the nail right on the head - IMO a fantastic device in theory but it seems it has a big problem with reliability. There's a long thread on advrider with posts from people who've used them worldwide and who've been disappointed that their 'I'm OK' messages haven't got through. If you don't have fairly high confidence it's going to work then personally I can't see the point.
PLBs on the other hand are a different story - I was given one for work and though in theory they're for aviation and marine use only in the UK, alone in the middle of nowhere in the mountains I have been known to carry it. Specifically for SAR they use a different and dedicated satellite constellation and their reliability is excellent. I'm still hoping that now the MRTs are getting on board we get some legislation change in this country and more people will have access to them. We're years behind the Americans on it