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SPOT GPS
Hi Mobbers,
This is very cool little device I got the other day to take with me. It's not for everyone but if you need a satellite based communicator, this is really cool. Basically I got caught out with no cell phone reception and also ran out of battery (by running GPS software on my iPhone). Needed to communicate with family and I was stuck. Wife was not happy / worried after arriving late.
This thing allows you to SEND a message by SMS and email (with link to google maps) your location via GPS satellite.
Some options include:
1. All Good, this is where I am.
2. Help (to friends or family)
3. Send in the chopper (to rescue services)
Def a good idea if you are out of cell phone range and need to get a message to folks.
Cheers
Pappa.
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Yes, got one also. Compared to bushwalking, mountain biking lets you get seriously out of reasonable "walk home" range pretty quickly. Add to that, higher risk of mechanical/medical problems as well. Seemed like reasonable insurance to me for solo mountain biking adventures outside of phone range.
That said, it is pretty picky about clear sky for messages to get through. On my last trip (sending "OK"'s every 30 minutes or so, so the wife and kids could track me), only half the messages got out. Partly due to me not stopping (no consistent view of sky), and partly due to tree canopy.
Next time I'll be more conscientious about a good view of the sky to see how much I can improve the reliability.
- Kevin
I would assume you still need some sort of mobile signal to send the SMS message.
Do you have to provide your own SIM card?
I don't get how this works. GPS sats. send, they don't receive don't they? The power that little device would need to send back to them would be pretty high wouldn't it?
EDIT: ah, it uses GPS sats AND Comms sats
http://au.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=108
Pretty cool
The spot is 2 way. It transmits a signal that is picked up by the satellite. Bit like a non-emergency EPIRB. Only it does have an emergency button too.
Seems you have to pre-program the SMS you want to send mind. Don't think it's a replacement for a satellite phone, just different.
RTFM
This version is about to be released in the US. It lets you compose and send custom messages with a smart phone. Admittedly, much more flexible than the basic preprogrammed messages of the SPOT, with the down side of having to keep yet another gadget charged (your phone).
http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=116
Looks like bike shops are the only ones gouging. Saw it advertised for $289 from a place in the Sydney CBD that sells air navigation kit,
The new. smaller SPOT 2 version is available from Johnny Appleseed for $249... still about $100 more than purchasing from the USA.
Now that is getting there
So... when is the version with broadband via satellite coming out?
Shame the dot.com bubble burst before we got Teledesic, eh?
I bought one from a GPS place on Victoria road ( near Balmain) and I think it was about $150 - then you pay USD$100 a year for subscription. Works OK but doesn't seem to pick up every pulse that's sent back - supposed to send out a signal every 10 mins ( on a track my ride type web application) but I usually only get about 8 - 10 per 3 hour ride. I'm assuming (and hoping) that if I'm in trouble the pulse sent out will be more constant and stronger.
Yes, I'm hoping the same. Apparently, it only tries 3 times for OK messages. For "Help" messages to friends, it tries every 5 minutes for an hour, and for SOS to emergency services, it tries every 5 mins I think, until the batteries die. Figures crossed a satellite swings into view in that time if you have a partially obscured sky.