SPOT Messenger??

[pilotdude09]

Hi guys,

Been doing a bit of 4x4ing lately and being in the remote areas you do start to wonder, if something happens im a goner. Like when you fly around regional/remote areas, same thing something happens, crash etc you could be a goner, especially if something happens to your emergency equipment.

Came across these "Spot Messengers" which sound like a bloody good idea. Even if you were flying/driving around the country we all know how "Wonderful" telstra's mobile phone coverage is so i reckon these are a good idea that you can send "Im Okay" messages and let everyone know you have arrived safely and everyone can track your journey and you can get back and have a look at where you have been. You can also send a message "Im not dying but i need help" and then you have a "911" which sends out the SES etc to come and rescue you.

Personally looking at it i think it's a better alternative to an EPIRB.

SPOT Global Satellite Personal Tracker and Messenger on Trading Post ? camping supplies, tents, backpacks, swags, camping stoves, rucksacks, camping gear and tarps at low prices. (http://tinyurl.com/spotmessenger)
Spot Messenger > Home (http://www.findmespot.com)


So anyone on here use them, heard of them etc? after some advice on whether to go for one.

[tnuc]

We have 2 x spot messenger units that we use to suplement our very expensive irridium based tracking units.
by all accounts the spot appears to be just as reliable and at a fraction of the cost. the spot uses the globalstar satelites so does not have the same coverage area as the irridium network but unless you are going to be flying in antartica or over the central pacific ocean this should not be a problem.
We primarly use the spot to track the progress of our aircraft.
the company website is www.findmespot.com (http://www.findmespot.com)

[thelummox]

PD,
I did a little research on these whilst chasing a new PLB. The common concern in Australia seems to relate to the effectiveness of the Globalstar satellite network it relies on. The complaints about it all relate to a lack of function in the 'breadcrumb" mode or when sending messages. I strongly suggest you hit some bushwalking and boating forums as this is where I found much info.

The big downside is that they fang you over $100 a year just for being on their network and because it is effectively a subscriber service you must pay to use it. If you want it as a passive safety tool for emergencies its's my opinion that you stick to a GPS enabled PLB such as the GME MT410G, Aquafix/ResQFix range or a couple of the others out there in the 406 MHz range. With a GPS enabled PLB the detection accuracy is down to less than 20 metres and they are quite small; the Aquafix and GME products are around 240 grammes.

If it's that important to have a link to the outside world (separate to the PLB), satphones have come down significantly in size, cost and calling rates. My last work phone was a dual band - CDMA/satphone in a very small handset. It always operated in normal mode in CDMA mode unless there was no signal and the pricing rate for sat calls was very low. Mind you it wasn't my bill so that helped! I'm not sure what exists in the Satphone/3G range at present as I haven't researched them.

I'll see what I can find out but the user reviews of the SPOT on the user forums have been less than glowing, although this may also be teething due it being a new product - The product concept is great. Go visit a few ofd those sites and if I find any links I'll add a new post for you. 406 MHz PLB's remain the safest and most effective signalling device, and if you after a proven device stay with PLB's, as the network is supported as the worldwide standard for SAR. By the way, if you are going to buy a PLB, shell out the extra $200 or so for the GPS equipped models - they reduce the search range from about 500 square kilometres or more to about 400 square metres ! you do the maths about probability and detection times based on search patterns around those areas!

[pilotdude09]

Thanks guys,

Very helpful information there :)

Might have to look at joining some bushwalking forums and ask around. Be interesting to find some Australian Reviews, plenty of US reviews but as thelummox said they are mixed reviews.

Cheers for that info, much appreciated.