SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger

[PradoProud]

Does anyone have one of these. How do they compare with a PLB locator beacon.

[Hoyks]

I ride adventure bikes and a lot of riders carry them. They are handy for your family to track where you are and give them piece of mind with the OK button, but as a substitute for a dedicated PLB, they convenient, but are not as good.

A PLB has to meet a standard for battey life, water resistance, signal strength and the like. The frequencies are also monitored by, via satellite, by air sea rescue in Canberra and over flying aircraft. Spot is monitored via satellite by a private company in the US. I have heard of some SOS and OK messages not getting through, which could be bad. The display showing that the emergency message is being sent wasn't obvious on the older models (may have been improved) so some SOS messages were cancelled because helpers were unsure if it was working. PLB, aerial up and in a clear area and you know it is working.

PLB's do have the drawback of only being for an emergency, so you cant escalate the required response, and have to be sent to a dealer for service. The Spot lets you have the option of I'm OK, I'm OK but could do with a hand or HELP. You can change your own Spot batteries.

[sschmez]

I have a Spot Messenger 2.

It's not a PLB, EPIRB or whatever else but it does what those things do, in a slightly different way. It also does more..... tracking, ok messages, special message (pre programmed)

I'm happy with mine.

If you have a smart phone, I'd look at the spot connect ... it has the ability to send SMS from the smartphone via bluetooth to the Sat system and to preprogrammed recipients.

I found the lifetime costs to be similar with the spot having more uses for me.

If I'm up in the high country and have a heart attack, stroke or roll off the side of a track I may never have set off the EPIRB/PLB/Spot ... but with the spot it's sent out tracking blips every ten minutes and the last point is a good place to start looking ... I'm somewhere nearby, especially if those blips haven't moved for a while (yes, I might already be dead, but i'd be found before the wild dogs found me) Planned routes often change due to weather, flood, trees down, whims and fancys, closed tracks and breakages etc. Although I always leave info regarding planned routes they have on occasion varied wildly from what eventually happened.

I generally send out an OK message every night at arrival at camp and every morning on departure from camp and possibly another one during the day ... sometimes just to mark a particular place, hut, view or whatever.

Works for me
Stevo

[SUPA105]

Had a SPOT 2 for about 18 months now.....only minimal use with maybe 20 activations in "OK" mode only......have my own mobile phone as a recipient to the txt just for interest sake, when I have been in a mobile service area and used the SPOT "OK" function the mobile received within 3 mins of activation with my long/lat displayed and google earth location via email.

Happy with my choice.....SPOT is in addition to a Satelite phone and GPS with mapping.


Cheers

[cruisindub]

Dont have one, but I would, definitely.

I like that you can preset messages, ie, 'Ive run out of fuel', 'broken down' etc, or a full on emergency.

I like that you can have a log of your past whereabouts, depending on the settings etc.

Small, cheap, and a good reassurance.

I would have one and think they are great !!

[SteveandViv]

Dont have one, but I would, definitely.

I like that you can preset messages, ie, 'Ive run out of fuel', 'broken down' etc, or a full on emergency.

I like that you can have a log of your past whereabouts, depending on the settings etc.

Small, cheap, and a good reassurance.

I would have one and think they are great !!

I thought you had to pre-set those messages while you had internet access and before you go away, is that wrong, ie you can type a message on the 'Spot' while stuck. Else you could change it unless your in some sort of range.

[austastar]

I thought you had to pre-set those messages while you had internet access and before you go away,

Hi,
   correct, but you do have a choice of 3 messages now I believe.


cheers

[cruisindub]

Thats right, set your messages via online before you go.

3 settings.
out of fuel, bringfuel.
Broken down,send tow truck.
Out of beer,bring supplies,    that's sort o thing.

As well as, emergency, come quick.

Can't type or edit preset message from the unit, but can whilst in internet range.

Advised friends to take one to Africa for their overland trek.
Great little units.  Cheap enough insurance also.

[speewa158]

Do they bring cold beer     

[stevenbowden]

Because you are comparing with a PLB I assume that you are wanting to compare emergency response etc.

I have a v1 SPOT and GPS enabled PLB.  If in a life threatening emergency I would be activating the PLB first.  Then, if no help has arrived by the time the PLB battery runs out, (and I am still alive or capable), I would be using the SPOT SOS function (and changing its batteries as needed to keep it going).

I see them serving two different functions.  The output power of the PLB is a lot more than the SPOT.  I think it was 5 watts on the GME PLB vs 0.5 watts on the SPOT when I was doing the investigation awhile ago so the figures might not be exact.  This means it has greater chance of the signal getting to the relevant satellites.  I also use the tracking function on SPOT and have a SPOT shared page that I have registered on the PLB registration page http://beacons.amsa.gov.au/registration.html so at if I set off the PLB at least when they pull the details of the PLB up they can see my movements for the last 7 days from SPOT and have a bit of an idea of where to start looking.  This is in conjunction with the GPS coords from the PLB.

The main reason that I prefer a PLB over a SPOT is that the PLB signal will be picked up by the Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System which is a network of dedicated search and rescue satellites run by government agencies around the world. Where as SPOT uses the Globalstar satellite network which is a "for profit" company.  Is there any guarantee that they will be operating/manning the office if you set off an SOS message?  "For profit" companies have been known to go into receivership, fold, trim services to save money etc so who is to say that this won't happen when you need the service the most.

Steve

PS in the mean time, (if I am able), I would be on my Sat phone calling all and sundry to send help!!!

[cruisindub]

Great answer Steve,

Sounds like you got a great set up.

Whqt price your own well-being,more importantly, that of your family.

 

[DeLuxHiLux]

Not  a bad Toy for $350 the SPOT, but the $115 ANNUAL fee to keep it going is pretty steep!!!! Not when you can get a GME MT-410G PLB for $318 from Ray's this week!!!! And NO annual registration fee.

Sure the PLB cant ask the family back home to Parcel POst you a carton of VeeB's, but what are you really taking it for?? If its an Emergency device, then running out of fuel or breaking down on the CSR or somewhere remote where you stand little chance of being found by passers by in a reasonable time IS a life threatening emergency. Yes the lack of a "Pan Pan" vs "MayDay only" facility on an EPIRB/PLB does make the SPOT attractive, but I would consider the SPOT to be another gadget with a potentially handy feature of alerting some profiteering so and so in the US who hopfully remembers to ring 000 instead of 911 if you get my drift. How long do you think it will take to get a call to the right Police agency in Australia ? Who knows.  If in doubt, buy and carry both. Besides the PLB is manufacuted to a set of international standards, and there are agreed responses to PLB/EPIRB calls. they are only guaranteed for 7 years. Wow. Pretty poor

I wouldn't take a SPOT as my ONLY emergency contact device, but it would make an interesting toy

[sschmez]

Not  a bad Toy for $350 the SPOT, but the $115 ANNUAL fee to keep it going is pretty steep!!!! Not when you can get a GME MT-410G PLB for $318 from Ray's this week!!!! And NO annual registration fee.

Sure the PLB cant ask the family back home to Parcel POst you a carton of VeeB's, but what are you really taking it for?? If its an Emergency device, then running out of fuel or breaking down on the CSR or somewhere remote where you stand little chance of being found by passers by in a reasonable time IS a life threatening emergency. Yes the lack of a "Pan Pan" vs "MayDay only" facility on an EPIRB/PLB does make the SPOT attractive, but I would consider the SPOT to be another gadget with a potentially handy feature of alerting some profiteering so and so in the US who hopfully remembers to ring 000 instead of 911 if you get my drift. How long do you think it will take to get a call to the right Police agency in Australia ? Who knows.  If in doubt, buy and carry both. Besides the PLB is manufacuted to a set of international standards, and there are agreed responses to PLB/EPIRB calls. they are only guaranteed for 7 years. Wow. Pretty poor

I wouldn't take a SPOT as my ONLY emergency contact device, but it would make an interesting toy

Wow ! ! !

There's someone commenting who's done no research

If you pay $350 for something that can be got for $129.61 including post (today's exchange).... good luck to you

a simple google will bring up a memorandum of understanding between GEOS in Texas and search and rescue in Canberra ... who are obliged to act - just the same as when your grandma rings them direct.

Also interesting  ???how many in this thread trust the "government" to do a better job of this than private enterprise ..... s'pose thats how we got the government we've got

Just saying
Stevo

[DeLuxHiLux]

Gday Steveo.

Yes, i'll admit and stand corrected on the price. *My bad*. It was $209 from the Australian distributor, and not evil bay as i'm not actually in the market to buy one today. I'm not saying it bad value, and happily stand corrected on the price.

Re GEOS. They can have all the MoU's in the world with AusSAR, they are still a "for profit" company which, as someone else noted, may go into receivership, or just shut it's doors tomorrow and in 3 weeks time when you press the 911/SOS button, nothing happens.......Although at least you could send yourself a test from home and know if its working.... Impressive looking website though

They are under no obligation to send you an email or SMS advising on their insolvency.  Just saying is all. .THAT's why many may not trust a private company more so than a Government agency. (PS I didnt vote for the Ranga.....so dont blame me ) the government isnt going to go bankrupt (Morally bankrupt doesnt count in this instance.........)

That being said,  for $130 I might even buy one and put it on for a year for another AUD$109 when we do our half lap next year......for the "I'm ok" function, but would I rely on it as my only Emergency contact device......no. Interesting that you can buy "rescue Insurance" from them. Cant imagine any Agency here would charge you if you were in genuine distress/emergency situation. We dont charge international sailors the cost for Navy Frigates to resuce them in international waters....... but then they offer a global service, and who knows what the availabe Rescue service is like in Azerbiajan or OhShitistan

Each to their own, for without diveristy of opinion, this forum would be worthless

[Hoyks]

The insurance is mainly aimed at the US buyers. It is not uncommon to get a $30000+ rescue bill while you are lying in hospital.

[Ropes]

I've personally seen a Spot Connect in action, (not emergency) and really like the convenience of it. You can pre setup up to about 40 addressees I think it is, paired with the iPhone app you can send either preset or custom (on the fly) messages as email or text to your preset addressees.
As someone else said it can be set to send locators at 10min intervals and family or friends at home can track your progress.

For the money it is great piece of mind, mine should be here this week.

Will I rely on it as my only form of requesting emergency aid?
No, of course not, who would be crazy enough to only rely on one piece of equipment for such an important job?

My 2c

Cheers
Craig

[Mikeb62]

Not when you can get a GME MT-410G PLB for $318 from Ray's this week!!!! And NO annual registration fee.

Thanks DeLuxHiLux, great price I just bought one !