SPOT messenger question??

Thanks Geoff...
Replace the '0' with '61'...
And it works !!!!

Yup, all enabled and configured..
Great l'il toy huh.

Signman,
They sure are a handy little gadget.

Apparently the rescue button works fine as well. Somewhere on EO I posted a link to an adventure motorcycle forum where one of the members used the emergency function with great results.

Geoff

Found it: Thread 69027

Geoff

Geoff

At the risk of sounding too promotional, I reckon its one of the best bits of kits ever.

The technology is almost unbelievable. Receiving from the GPS satellites, then transmitting to the satphone satellites. Texting your contacts with your position, tracking your progress on Google Maps.

If you'd asked me how much would you pay for that level of functionality I would have said 'heaps' (on the basis of my experience with the likes of Telstra).

All of this in an attractive little palm sized doo dad than runs on a couple of AA batteries that last several weeks.

I'll be posting a link to my Spot page when I do my next trip in April (is that allowable?) so others can trace my progress up the Mt Davies Rd.

Bob

Hi Bob,
Well several members have in the past and nobody complained!

Post away I say!

SPOT 1's have got a bloody good battery life! I opened the glove box yesterday and the spot was turned on. Last time I looked in there was at least a month ago!

Geoff

SPOT 1 has a great battery life.

It will send 1900 messages on a set of 2 AA Lithium Batteries.

The specs say in standby mode (just turned on) it will last 1 year! If you notice that the on/off is flashing red then the batteries have 30% left. Even then you have a fair bit of life left.

If you push the 911 mode when it has just started flashing red then you still should have about 2 days of message sending every 5minutes.

In an emergency Alkaline batteries can be used but you should use lithium as per instructions.

The Australian distributors page http://www.piplus.com.au/SPOT.htm has more about it.

Ian,
When I bought my SPOT I just had to know how long it would last on Alkaline batteries.

The answer is 24 hours before the red LED starts a flashing.

A great emergency backup but I wouldn't want to rely on them for my life!

Geoff

24hrs is good to know. Was that sending OK / tracking messages or just in standby?

They recommend using Lithium anyway so I replaced mune after 12 months with 2 that cost about $10 for both. Cheap insurance...

Ian,
It was a mix of both Ok and tracking.

The exact ratio I can't remember.

Geoff

A PLB has 121.5 continuous transmission which searching aircraft use to home in on your exact location. This works even if the GPS receiver isn't working

PLBs are made to a higher standard - I've never heard of any recalls.

PLBs batteries are gurranteed to have a shelflife of five years.

When it comes to an emergency, you might find your SPOT batteries have gone flat from position reports.

The 121.5 frequency is not being monitored anymore by AUSSAR / AMSA. Only 406Mhz. This was as of February 2009. 121.5 PLB's cannot be bought anymore and you are a fool to rely on it.

With the new 406Mhz beacons there is 2 types. With and without GPS.
Without will give an accuracy within 5 kilometres.
With a GPS must be accurate within 100 metres. (Australian Starndard)
I know which one I'd rather...

SPOT has a GPS and specs state accurate within 5 metres.

With SPOT 1 there has never been any manufacturing issues or recalls. SPOT 2 has had a minor issue with the battery indicator light and has been recalled and soon to be re released.

SPOT is heaps cheaper and you can get some value out of your product along the way. An EPIRB / PLB is and "All or nothing" device. At least with SPOT you can request help from friends and not get the full cavalry for a flat tyre in the outback!

SPOT has a light indicating 30% battery life left. Then you still have at least 2 days in distress mode (911).

Under the Australian standards a PLB must only operate in this mode for "NO LESS THAN 24HRS" and an EPIRB "NO LESS THAN 48HRS" SPOT will exceed this with full batteries being 7 days!

Alkaline batteries can also be used in an emergency. I think you would be hard pressed to find no device on a camping trip without a couple of spares if you needed them.

If you activate an EPIRB / PLB where is no way of cancelling the message even if you turn it off. SPOT allows you to send a CANCEL help / 911 message too. If you activate an EPIRB / PLB and turn it off Emergency Services will still come and look for you as they don't know if the batteries are flat (It can happen in these too) or unit destroyed / sunk.

With EPIRB's and PLB's once activated you have to get it sent back for new batteries at a large cost. With SPOT you can replace your own for $10!

SPOT you will get the same level as response as an EPIRB / PLB. It is just monitored in a different place. This link is a "Memorandum of Understaning" between Australian Maritime Sfaety Authority and SPOT in relation to activations. This ensures and activation of the 911 is done correctly.
http://natsar.amsa.gov.au/Manuals/Search_and_Rescue_Manual/documents/SPOTMOU11June2009.pdf

"The 121.5 frequency is not being monitored anymore by AUSSAR / AMSA. Only 406Mhz. This was as of February 2009. 121.5 PLB's cannot be bought anymore and you are a fool to rely on it. "

You would have to be seriously ignorant of PLB details if you aren't aware that EVERY 406 Beacon has to have a 121.5 continuous homing beacon in it.

Do you have any idea what it takes to home in on a signal that transmits for 0.5 sec every 50 seconds.

With co-ordinates at least they can come straight to where you are. Homing in would takle a lot longer.

The batteries can be replaced by the user which is great and no expensive cost returning for a service etc. 2 x AA lithium batteries less than 10 bucks!