Spot On

rnbenton

rnbenton

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OK, I showed the Admiral the thread about the "Boat missing enroute to the Bahamas". Then I showed her the "Spot" link showing their route and track.

She really liked that and, since I make frequent trips to the Bahamas and elsewhere, she has asked me to get one so she can watch my track just for the fun of it.

I always carry an EPIRB so I'm not really looking at the safety aspects but ratrher the information and entertainment factor for family and friends.

So, any of you who own or have used them; 1) Is there a particular model I need to look at or is there just one "Spot". 2) Is there a service I need to subscribe to so it can be viewed on the internet?

Any other information I should know?

Thanks,
Bob
 
I think it was the September 2009 issue of Passagemaker that did an artcile on SPOT.

I don't remember the details but will check when I get home this afternoon.
 
i use one for exactly what you describe and it works very well. one note, the unit must have a clear view of the sky, it won't work underneath a canvas top/t top etc.
 
There was a special on them not long ago.
Someone was giving them away when you purchased the program from them.
 
quote:
1) Is there a particular model I need to look at or is there just one "Spot".
Click to expand...


Only one model at present but SPOT 2 is supposed to be out by November, wait for that one. Smaller and supposedly cheaper.

quote:
2) Is there a service I need to subscribe to so it can be viewed on the internet?
Click to expand...


Yes and this is where you have to pay for the service you require. Over the life of an Epirb SPOT is at least twice (or more) the cost.
 
I've been using the SPOT a lot for about 1½ years now, for hiking and on the water in the Dustbuster and basically like it, but have found that it's not totally dependable. Even with a clear view of the sky and laying on its' back (recommended) it will miss a location check send about 1 out of 5 to 10 times. I seriously question its' dependability in a real emergency - and have talked to FindMeSpot via email several times about this. They, of course, poo-poo it and pat me on the head.

Apparently the new SPOT 2 will have a confirmation light that will let you know for sure when a location has been sent. This would be a great add-on in my eyes, as the current unit lacks this.

Earlier this year I recommended it to a friend in SE Oregon who flies his ultra-light airplane far out over the lava beds far from anyone and whose wife was concerned. He bought it and spends as much time cussing it as praising it. His results are apparently worse than mine.

All that said, and this being a boating forum, it does seem to be a little more dependable out on the water - but not 100%.

Lar.
 
Kurt Mixman uses one and he will probably comment soon. Spots problem is the current unit depends on Globalstar's aging and deteriorating fleet of satellites. I got one of their permanent mount Radome phones made by SeaTel. When I got it almost 5 years ago I could never understand the 1st year why I would get numerous busy signals or it would drop calls after only a few minutes. Then I bought the remote which gave the satellites received strength, gateway and channel. It was apparent I was losing signal. After numerous calls to their customer service where I was told it was the equipment I started research on the internet. They had major problems and finally admitted it. They launched 4 new satellites about 2 years ago and I still had no improvement. I removed the phone and bought a permanent KVH TracPhone 252 on IMNARSAT. I have never had a problem since other than the bill is higher but you pay for good service over poor to no service. Their system is so bad they have a web site where you enter your coordinates or zip code and it gives you the window you might be able to use the phone. The services are somewhat different but the satellites are the same and with this economy I doubt they will ever launch the new fleet of birds by late 2010-2011. Do a Google on Globalstar you will get the real word on their service. The company was forced by the SEC to make a public announcement because their service was that bad. SPOT was cobbled together a few years ago with the components that still work on a dying satellite network. My 2 cents.
Bill
 
Slow speed data is something you put on a network that isn't good enough to support simple voice services.
 
Bill's correct, Globalstar has aging and dying birds up there. However, it's the voice-bands that are crap right now (I'm still a subscriber as I locked in at $25/month unlimited until the new birds go up). But their "asset tracking" services are at 99%, which is what the service SPOT uses. So while Globalstar ain't real good for voice or data (internet) right now, SPOT works quite well (note: if cruising the Abacos, just get Verizon for data or voice as there's signal just about everywhere, especially with a cell booster, and data is $20/month extra unlimited). I think Bill is quite correct, though, that those new birds probably aren't going up any time soon (their website says 2009, and this year's running out).

Bob, I added road-side assistance to the SPOT as we'll take it off the boat and use it for our ski trips this winter. But while in the Bahamas we always use it. We send an "OK" message to our designated home-base contact when we get underway, then post real-time tracking information while underway for all friends to see, and then another "OK" when we reach that day's destination. It can be shared with as many people as you want via SPOT's website. It looks something like this:

(note: you'll have to put a little effort in to see these as I can't get the long code to link on BoaterED. Or you can also download and open the KML files in Google Earth)

Paste the below into the "Search" field at the top of http://maps.google.com to see real-time tracking from Stuart, FL to West End and then on to Great Sale Cay.

http://www.undock.com/kml/sample.kml

Or try this which was the link contained in an "OK" message sent when we got anchored at Manjack Cay one day.

http://www.undock.com/kml/daily/4-25-Manjack_Cay.kml

Pasting the links in Google Maps will give you the same experience you can share via your SPOT account. Or, if you're not having any luck, here's a stagnant sample.

water_tracking.jpg
 
Thanks Kurt. This is what I was looking for. As I said in my OP I'm not really looking to this as a safety feature that I have to rely on. I have EPIRB with GPS for that. This is more just for entertainment/information for family and friends and from the looks of it will work just fine.

Thanks for the detailed information.

Bob
 
No problem, Bob. We don't treat SPOT as a safety device either (although the road-side assistance feature will be nice as our weekend drives in the winter to ski have spotty cell service, but that's not immediate life-or-death). You sound quite well equipped in the emergency area. If I can help out any further with SPOT, just let me know. SPOT is great as a "tracking" service, as it was originally advertised.
 
I was out in the mountains today and tried to send 6 Spot check messages. It sent #'s 4 & 5. I sincerely hope I never have to trust my life to this thing.

Lar.
 
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