SPOT - (Not the dog)

[PRDATR]

So after reading the Rattlesnake Bite thread and not wanting to hijack it. Can those of you who use the SPOT and the available services give me a rundown on it? I basically know what it is but not much else. I don't have a smart phone.

Should I get one to work with the SPOT?

[CouesWhitetail]

I have used SPOT for a few years now. It's a great service. Basically you buy the unit and then the annual service. I also suggest getting the insurance they sell to cover the cost of a rescue. I have both the SPOT unit that works with a smart phone and one that doesnt. They both work fine. You don't need to get a smartphone to work with one, just get the unit that doesn't work with a smartphone. The only advantage of the one that works with the smartphone is you can send a more customized message. They are very small and lightweight. You can use the unit to check in everyday with someone by sending an "I'm OK" message to their cell phone or email or both. What they will get is the message "I'm OK" and also the coordinates of your location which they can click on to have it show on google maps. It's a neat way to keep track of someone. There is also a separate button on it that you push to get immediate medical attention. You only use this button if it's very very serious because it will notify the international response teams and they will send the best units to you based on where you are. One thing to remember is that if you are climbing around in some cliffs or working in an area where a boulder or something might trap your arm, you should probably put the SPOT unit on your body in a way where you can access it even if part of you is pinned down. If it's in your pack and you get trapped by a falling tree or rock, then you might not have enough mobility to dig it out of the pack. You could attach it to the strap on your backpack so it's handy for an emergency.

 

I got my SPOT unit from sponsor Santana Outdoors. give Eric a call, he can tell you more and help you out.

http://www.santanaou...vlet/StoreFront

[Non-Typical Solutions]

So after reading the Rattlesnake Bite thread and not wanting to hijack it. Can those of you who use the SPOT and the available services give me a rundown on it? I basically know what it is but not much else. I don't have a smart phone.

Should I get one to work with the SPOT?

 

Thanks for posting that, that was my next line of questioning??

 

When I looked up SPOT Assist, one site had two prices for service. One was $30.00 a year but that was just roadside service.

The other required you to go into more detail and seemed related to offshore type of assist.

I am curious about the service cost for hiking etc.

[GotBowAz]

Im with Non-Typical, Id like to know more about it in the back country that has no cell phone service. Will the smart phone still work with the one for Smart phones where there is no cell service?

 

Great question PDATR, and thanks for posting that information Amanda. Very good sound advice there.

[Tines]

+1 with what Amanda said. Mine has worked wherever I've gone. Plenty of places without cell signal. I don't have the Assist so I don't know anything about it.

[CouesWhitetail]

You don't need cell service to use spot connect with your cell phone. The spot unit turns your cell phone into a satellite messenger. You can't get two way communication, but you can send messages to people you have designated through their website and the app that you download to your phone. You are limited in the number of characters you can send in a message.

 

you can learn more on the spot website

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=116

 

or watch this video:

 

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[CouesWhitetail]

here is info on their service plans....basically you buy the unit and then pay an annual $100 for service. With the SPOT connect you can buy extra text messages (like in a bundle of a 100 or so if I remember right).

 

the rescue insurance plan through GEOS is only 12.95 a year, well worth it to me.

http://www.findmespo...dex.php?cid=104

 

 

Spot units will work anywhere in the world, so if you are going to Mexico on a hunt, you can send "I'm OK" messages back to your spouse at home. You can even pay extra and have it map out your location every 5 mins or so and your friends/family can watch your progress. I have never used that feature as it's an extra $50 a year. For safety, all you really need is the cheapest SPOT unit (about $120) and the $100 service fee, then the optional 12.95 a year for rescue insurance. So the first year you have about $250 into it because you have to buy the unit, but the next year, it's just the service plan so and insurance so it's like $113 a year. That's not much of an investment to have so that you can summon rescue services with the touch of a button.

[Coach]

I'm really considering one of these for my 13B hunt. Looks like a good way to send a quick "I'm OK" message home.

[Santana Outdoors]

Thanks Amanda. I personally use both. I have the Spot 2 and the Spot connect that connects to my smart phone. Last April I hiked through the Mazatzal wilderness for 15 miles and my wife was able to watch my every move (not always what I wanted but out there I cant get into to much trouble). I was also able to send her texts of what I wanted to say.

 

Before the Spot Connect I just used my Spot 2 to check in and thank God I never needed it but could of had emergency help, like a rattlesnake bit, or what ever. I like the comfort of knowing I am still pretty protected even way out there. My family also feels the comform to know I am ok when I check in through out the day.

 

I have also givin it to my daughter when she travels, if she needed help and out of cell service she can let me know.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Feel free to call me anytime, 928-978-1999 if you need more.

[Snapshot]

I have been considering one of these for some time. Just haven't bought one. AS Amanda said, get the rescue insurance, Getting airlifted by helicopter is expensive. I think it was about $30K, when my Dad got airlifted by Cochise county. Health insurance may not cover it.

[Coach]

Ok, can someone help sum this up. I can see how this works with a smart phone - but what if I'm somewhere with no cell signal and no smart phone? Does the unit still send a message home that I'm OK, and give the option to get help if something goes wrong?

[Snapshot]

Ok, can someone help sum this up. I can see how this works with a smart phone - but what if I'm somewhere with no cell signal and no smart phone? Does the unit still send a message home that I'm OK, and give the option to get help if something goes wrong?

 

Yes. Signal sent via sattelite

[WinMag]

Amanda correct me if I'm wrong as I have also been using the spot for some years now. It is my understanding that you do not have to pay any annual service to still use only the SOS rescue service as it is free with the stand alone unit. If you want texting or additional pre-set messgages then yes you have to at least buy the minimum service.

[motoxno53]

I just got the Delorme InReach. It is a lot like the SPOT Connect but it will allow you to do a 4 month block of service. With the InReach you have 91, you can send predetermined texts or if connected to a Cell phone you can send and receive text messages. The ability to send and recive texts is the major diffrence between SPOT and InReach along with coverage. Here is a comparison from GPS Central..

 

http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/tracking/ACR-Spot-inReach-Comparison.html

[GotBowAz]

I know my wife would really like to be able to communicate as well. The InReach sounds like it could be a better option for me but I will do some more research on both units before I make up my mind on that.

 

With either unit I would like to know what the chances are of accidently hitting or bumping the emergency come get me button?? Seems to me it can get tossed around in your back pack or bump something on the trail. Is there a chance it will send a rescue signal off? Can you imagine the repercussions of a rescue crew coming out to get you and nothing was wrong? That could be an expensive oopsy.

 

GBA