Spot Messenger

Oldman

we meet again :-)))

The Spot Messenger is definitely not an alternative to a Sat phone - you cannot talk on it

It is more like an EPIRB than a sat phone (or any phone) the major difference (as far as I can tell) is that with an EPIRB you activate it, it sends a signal to orbiting sattelites and/or aircraft who in turn relay it to Canberra Rescue Co-Ordination CentreAustralian maritime Safety site who then get the appropriate SES, rescue, police etc activated. If you have the new version EPIRB that has the GPS function it wouls also send them you GPS lat/long.

The Spot does the same thing as an EPIRB - BUT and here is where the differnce lies - with spot you can send a message (either SMS or e-mail with google map co-ordinates) - they call it a HELP message - one that is not life threathening - to your family/friends etc just letting them know where you are WITHOUT it going to the rescue services. HELP message info siteWith Spot you can also (if you pay the additional service charge) send a signal to your friends or family that alows them to track where you are travelling Spot Messenger Tracking function or just send a help messge to them ( non urgent doesnt go to rescue authourities)

I hope this is what it does because I have just purchased one :-))) so in a couple of days I will be able to tell you how it works first hand :-)))

Hi Oldman,
My contacts at an Rescue Coordination Centre in NZ (who monitor epirbs etc.) say they are looking at them at the moment and expect to have a report soon. They also say that with what they know so far there does not appear to be any worries about them.

However, I think they are using the old Globestar satellite constellation and there have been many reports from people in Australia having problems using sat phones using that system. Might be a good idea to wait a while before purchasing.

KiwiAngler
Yep it is me again.

I will look forward to hearing your experiences with SPOT.

It does sound good, did you buy the bells and whistles with it and can you give an approx price (OK if don't want to here).

Kiwi Kia - also look forward to any comments.


re Satphone.
For me it would replace the need for a Satphone - if it worked.

I understand it is not a full substitute for one as you can't talk but the only reasin I would consider getting a Satphone is for emergency situations (not necessarily life threatening as in EPIRB territory).

So the ability to be able to ring some one up is not high on my list hence my comment why it could replace a Satphone - in my case.

The one thing I would be missing which would be useful and am not sure how you could get it is the ability to ring up to find out road conditions and/or weather - this is where a Satphone, HF radio would be winner.

However as the Satphone and HF radios cost many more dollars compared to SPOT (I believe/hope) then it is not a bad compromise.

Am I missing something here


Oldman

Oldman & Fellow Members

The Spot Messenger works extremely well. We have been fortunate to have secured two 'Spots' for use on The Great Australian Cancer Bush Walk, starting on Cape York May 5th. We are currently testing the system with one of our support drivers up in the Kosciusko region. My last OK message was received a couple of hours ago and came with a Google Maps link showing me his exact location to within 5 metres. For us, this can be linked to our website www.thegreatcancerwalk.com.au to allow sponsors and supporters to keep track of our progress every day from North to South.

We will be using 2 units, one with the support vehicle and one with myself. Will potentially save a lot of sat phone costs and keep those back at home from worrying. Personally I'm forming the view that the Spot could take the 'search' out of Search & Rescue. ( I hope I never find out!)

For anyone interested in purchasing a Spot Messenger may I ask members to consider contacting Ian Veitch from PI Plus. This is the company importing the units and they have pledged to donate $20 from the sale of every unit to The Great Australian Cancer Bush Walk! So you could be helping yourself and a great cause at the same time.

Contact: Ian Veitch 03 95139889 or sales@piplus.com.au
website: www.piplus.com.au

Michael and Kiwi,
Many thanks for your comments.

As said above I am interested in a tool which can provide me with some sort of security while traveling in areas where communication is poor.

I live in Canberra and there are quite a few areas near by where normal phones will not work in (not sure about the new stuff from Telstra).

Spot may be a relatively cheap way of providing me level of security.

Just today a fellow 4wd driver rang me and said he was going for a drive through the Brindabellas and he would be back by 5:00pm as a precaution (there have been people stuck out there for a couple days).

Spot - would I hope be magic for this sort of thing.

So I am very interested in any info on how well this works -

thanks to all who have and will reply,

I am getting itchy to buy another gadget (Kiwi knows what I mean :)) especially one that could save my life.

Oldman

As a matter of interest - what options did you take with the product
Did you go for options
Track Progress
GEOS Search & Rescue Benefit
If you get at initial purchase it is $7.95/year - is this for the first year only ?

Oldman

Gday Oldman & Kiwi

I'll be using the Spot everyday for 13 months so will be able to give real feedback. Our website www.thegreatcancerwalk.com.au will have a link to the Google Mapping site so my location will be known to anyone who wishes to know!

As for donations, the website will have a direct donate on line facility any day now in readiness for the 5th May kick off at Cape York. Uncertain if I'll get back to this forum before flying north on Wednesday so all the best til I get to a computer sometime in next several weeks.
Cheers, Michael Mitchell