Spot Gen 3 alternative?
Submitted: Friday, Mar 16, 2018 at 16:24
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Siringo
The Spot Gen 3 looks great but having to subscribe for 12 months doesn't, I'll be paying for 11 months of non use.
Is there anything similar that doesn't require a 12 month subscription?
I'd even look at 2nd hand satphones.
Reply By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Friday, Mar 16, 2018 at 17:44
Friday, Mar 16, 2018 at 17:44
What do you want to use
the Spot for? If only for emergencies then a PLB can be hired. A satphone could be hired as
well.
AnswerID:
617614
Reply By: Mike & Kendra Prado 2 - Friday, Mar 16, 2018 at 23:06
Friday, Mar 16, 2018 at 23:06
Wouldn’t be without
the spot gen ! We have our family track us when we go remote, check in at the end of the day and if we are in real trouble ; help is just a button away. We use it not only 4 wheel driving but also hiking eg: The Overland Track. The question is : how much are your lives worth ? Just some thoughts ??
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Reply By: Idler Chris - Saturday, Mar 17, 2018 at 10:30
Saturday, Mar 17, 2018 at 10:30
The subscription cost is part of the total cost of the holiday. If you cannot justify the subscription cost for only the month you use it don't use it. Another way to put it is the subscription covers the month you use it and all the other months are at no cost.
Chris
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Follow Up By: Malcom M - Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 06:18
Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 06:18
really helpful - not
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Reply By: RobMac (QLD_Member) - Sunday, Mar 18, 2018 at 05:47
Sunday, Mar 18, 2018 at 05:47
Hey guys....
Not sure if this will suit but Garmin has bought out a device (or bought the company) called "Inreach" which u can get monthly subscriptions - Maybe this may suit. Check the following website out:
https://explore.garmin.com/en-AU/inreach/Garmin Inreach | Cheers..... RobM
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Follow Up By: Siringo - Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 10:27
Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 10:27
Thanks RobMac I wasn't aware of this, I will check it out.
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889440
Reply By: Siringo - Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 10:29
Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 10:29
Thanks everyone for your help. I think I'll look into purchasing a sat phone, I know I'll need one of them every now and then. Maybe now is the time to bite the bullet & get one.
Thanks again.
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Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 13:55
Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 13:55
Siringo, IMHO an EPIRB & a Satphone is the way to go. You can hire the Satphone for the period you need it without purchasing a plan. Or you can purchase a second hand Satphone & a prepaid sim card, and activate the sim card for the time you need it.
Macca.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Siringo - Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 15:50
Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 15:50
Was out walking and thought, I don't go anywhere without a winch, it's one of my essential recovery items. That got me to thinking, I don't use my winch much, but when I do I'm bloody glad I have it. That made me think, so what's the difference between a winch and a sat phone? They both cost roughly the same, you use both not very often, but they are both extremely important recovery items, in my eyes they are anyway.
So I've made some enquiries on a satphone and think I'll get myself one and just buy prepaid access when needed, just as you mentioned Macca.
Thanks all for the help.
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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 17:03
Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 17:03
Siringo,
I think your logic is impeccable :-)
But for a satphone to be really useful in an emergency you need to know exactly where you are if you're calling in the troops. Do you have a device that continuously provides that info in a lat-long readout - a navigator or even a phone app like
GPS Status. (Don't know if an iOS vesion is available. If not there will undoubtedly be something similar.)
I imagine you do, but if you don't you will need one or, considering you're not too keen on Spot fees, a PLB.
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Reply By: Sigmund - Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 16:46
Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 16:46
The exchange rate and the single-level sub to Spot have made the cost painful.
You used to be able just to get just a msg sub and last year we were told that the formerly optional tracking was now required at an additional USD 50, plus a 'network fee' of USD 15.
Some of us challenged this added slug for tracking and were excused it.
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617699
Reply By: KiwiAngler - Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 19:31
Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 19:31
This is where I went today- using my SPOT ver1- I've used it almost every day for almost 9 years
https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=2d464de362759825a
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 19:47
Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 19:47
Didn't you post a link here to your trip up the Canning, KA? Seems more like 12-15 years ago though. Was great to watch your track, in real time, on Google Earth, while I was sitting in the office, supposedly working.
Bob
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Follow Up By: KiwiAngler - Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 21:38
Monday, Mar 19, 2018 at 21:38
Gidday Bob
You've got a good memory mate exactly right.
That trip was done whilst I was still working
When I was 40 I made my mind up that I would retire at 60 and spend as much of the remainder of my life travelling around Oz - which is exactly what I am doing - hit the road 1 week after my 60th birthday and have spent the last 8 or so years on the road.
I think I was one of the earliest " serious" SPOT users in Oz at the time - I'm still using that original unit today ??
I've had more than 35,000 hits on my SPOT page
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