Who's got a SPOT

Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009 at 09:39
ThreadID: 69863 Views:3657 Replies:7 FollowUps:3
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Satellite Tracker (SPOT).http://www.gpsoz.com.au/spot/index.htm . Recently I was chatting to a mate in America and somehow we got on to EPIRB'S and said about SPOT, the over the weekend I brought the latest Western 4Wdriver and there was an in it about SPOT.

I need to upgrade to the new EPIRB system, which as you know if activated it only contacts one body and it may not be required. But the SPOT maybe a better way to go in the sense that one has options on who you can contact depending on the level of notification/rescue/help required.
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Reply By: Member -Signman - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009 at 09:47

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009 at 09:47
Wayne (NSW) is currently out & about with SPOT.
He can't even stop for a leak without someone knowing !!!



AnswerID: 370272

Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009 at 10:27

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009 at 10:27
Read thread 695552





AnswerID: 370279

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009 at 10:31

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009 at 10:31
Woops fingers got the stutters Try 69552





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Reply By: Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009 at 11:18

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009 at 11:18
Hi Rod,
I have one and it is a great gadget (with emphasis on gadget) for casual tracking by the family They do work quite nicely from what I've read as an emergency help device (called 911 on the SPOT) see Thread ID: 69027 were I posted a link to some Australian bike riders who used it in anger.

I do not see it as a replacement for the EPIRB, they are two different devices aimed at two different solutions to the same problem.

In the case of an unrecoverable total disaster I see the EPIRB as being the number one choice.

The below are links to two members of this site out and about enjoying this wide brown land and allowing us to track their progress.

Kiwi Angler

Wayne

Kiwi Angler is of course within a stones throw of top of Australia and Wayne is in Wiluna getting ready for another trip up the Canning Stock Route.

As to mine, not very intersting viewing at the moment. I'm off to Innamincka next week for work and was going to drive. Unfortunately time restraints mean I now have to fly and forego the couple of weeks desert touring I was going to tack on the end.

Geoff

Geoff,
Landcruiser HDJ78,
Grey hair is hereditary, you get it from children. Baldness is caused by watching the Wallabies.

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AnswerID: 370284

Follow Up By: Member - Dick (Int) - Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009 at 13:13

Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009 at 13:13
Totally agree with Geoff, SPOT is no substitute for a full EPIRB if you are travelling in remote area's.

It is great to let your family and friends know where you are but sometimes it does not transmit a position at regular intervals as it should. I have two of them and they both do this at times.

I think SPOT is owned by Globalstar and if you have a Globalstar Satphone you will understand why SPOT sometimes misses a report.

Cheers
Dick







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FollowupID: 637615

Reply By: Rod W - Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 at 09:30

Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 at 09:30
Just been doing a Google search to find there is a plethora of personnel trackers out there.
AnswerID: 370639

Reply By: johno5456 - Tuesday, Jun 23, 2009 at 13:38

Tuesday, Jun 23, 2009 at 13:38
I purchased a unit in Nov 2008 and although I was able to register it (pay the extra money) and get the OK function to work for the first few occasions, I can no longer get the ok function to work or to get the SMS mode or email on help to work. At present, nothing is working and the Customer Service people in the US have not been able to assist me so far. I have used all of the phone prefix combos (both international and state) for Australia and dropping of the first 0 on the mobile phone but I think the Telstra network may be blocking it.

Unless you know of anyone in Aust using all of the funtions of the unit succesfully, I would wait before purchasing a unit.The Spot web site forum suggests that the Globalstar sat network is not living up to the expectations of many users.
AnswerID: 371493

Follow Up By: Rod W - Tuesday, Jun 23, 2009 at 13:56

Tuesday, Jun 23, 2009 at 13:56
Thanks for that info johno.
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Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Jun 23, 2009 at 14:18

Tuesday, Jun 23, 2009 at 14:18
Dont think the Global s++t system lives up to anyones expectations does it.




AnswerID: 371501

Reply By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Tuesday, Jun 23, 2009 at 18:52

Tuesday, Jun 23, 2009 at 18:52
"A" 4wd club around the centre of Australia have one and I eyeballed a printout of there easter trip this year, so the system was working then.
As I understand it, it is a poitioning toy, not a life threatening warning device, you will need both to be safe and have fun.

Cheers Pesty
AnswerID: 371549

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