SPOT Messenger Question?
Submitted: Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 07:24
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Member - John
G'day, am looking at getting a SPOT Messenger, can get one in Singapore for about a third of the cost here in Aus. From what I have read the registration process takes place thru USA, so it shouldn't matter where the unit was purchased? Can anyone confirm this? Thanks in advance.
John
Reply By: Mr Pointyhead - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:03
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:03
I bought one from Hong Kong via Ebay and I had no trouble registering it in Australia. At the time I paid $55.00 AUD delivered for it. The only difference was that it did not come with any included registration, so I had to pay the full cost of the first years rego.
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Follow Up By: Member - John - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 09:47
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 09:47
Thanks,
John
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Reply By: Member - Cantiva Clay (NSW) - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:56
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 08:56
Have you read the EPIRB article? Specifically noting that a spot is not a replacement for an epirb?
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Follow Up By: Member - John - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 09:42
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 09:42
Hi, realise SPOT is not a replacement for EPIRB, have a Sat Phone also, so should about cover all eventualities.
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Follow Up By: Bob of KAOS - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 11:32
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 11:32
Spot is a quantum leap above Epirb for bush travel.
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Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 12:14
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 12:14
Hi Cantiva,
Why do you think that a Spot
beacon would not serve the same purpose as an EPIRB ?
KK
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Follow Up By: Member - Cantiva Clay (NSW) - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 22:06
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 22:06
I should have been more specific, when I say EPIRB I meant PLB - Epirb's/PLBS and the supporting
infrastructure is purpose built around dependably finding and rescuing people from life threatening situations; Spot is a messenger tracking device that as one of its functions can act as a plb. You can ring emergency
services on normal telephone numbers but 000 close to gaurantees you'l get through with prioirty...same sort of thing (maybe not a good example in
sydney!) If you do a search on the web "epirb vs spot" there is plenty of interesting reading, spot's are not renowned for their dependability where epirb's its all about dependability. They are a lot of money up front but if looked after should last a good few years. Satalliute phones are good but they also can be tempermental beasts and under Murpheys law you know when that will be....!
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Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 22:30
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 22:30
Hi again Cantiva,
If you activate an EPIRB that does not have a built in GPS it could take many hours before your position can be fixed.
The location of a Spot
beacon or an EPIRB with GPS will be fixed immediately the signal is received. The only difference then is that there is an earth receiving station in Australia for the EPIRB and
the Spot beacon signal will be received in the USA. A simple direct call from the USA to Australian authorities will only take a couple of minutes. So as far as I can see in an emergency situation there will be no real difference between an EPIRB and a Spot
beacon. In a non-emergency situation
the Spot beacon can be used to send other signals but the EPIRB can not, so which is the most useful ?
KK
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Reply By: signman - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 10:32
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 10:32
I got SPOT from Singapore. Arrived in 3 days- cost $107 Aussie. No probs with transactions. No probs registering thru internet site.
All good !! Used it last week for a 'trial run' up to Qld and back- and it worked fine.
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Follow Up By: Member - John - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 10:59
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 10:59
Thanks
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Reply By: Bob of KAOS - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 11:28
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 11:28
You should be able to get one from the US for about $55 to $60, plus postage of up to $20.
Registration is straight forward no matter where you got it.
I believe you should stick with the series 1 until the series 2 has been sorted out.
Bob
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Follow Up By: Member - John - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 11:55
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 11:55
Thanks, the series 2 looks to have too many bells and whistles, stuff I won't use.
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Reply By: Ian V - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 12:05
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 12:05
Hi
John,
The main reason to purchase within Australia as the units are covered by warranty here and also have the Australian C tick approval for use in Australia.
Also purchasing a unit here gets you 12 months free live tracking saving $49.99US. This offer is still going (confirmed today)
I got mine at www.piplus.com.au and very happy with servoice and price. I would rather pay a bit more and have local warranty and support if needed.
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Follow Up By: Bob of KAOS - Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 21:31
Monday, Feb 22, 2010 at 21:31
Ian,
Fair point, but if need service or a warranty claim, I won't know until I'm very remote and then it won't matter if the service is in Australia or overseas.
The live tracking may be free, but you still haver to pay $115 USD for basic connection.
Bob
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