Spot Satellite Messenger

There are several on here that have posted threads about them so doubtless a "Search " On "Spot messenger" will tell you most of what you want to know.

Also they have a www address.

The pros I think are obvious in terms of its safety & locating potential. It has other features over a personal EPIRB such as allowing you to contact people asking for assistance without sending a life threatening signal etc. Early reviews stated the GPS was a little weak in comparison to other handheld devices. Not sure if this has been rectified but if you were injured and in an area of poor coverage, dense trees, canyon, crevice etc you may not get a signal out.? Off course this could apply to an Epirb as well however I don't have any current information on the strength of the GPS receiver today. Some of the tracking functions may be considered expensive?? In summary however it offers a lot if you are in area without mobile phone coverage because it bridges the gap between a conventional EPIRB and mobile phone. Arguably cheap security if it does everything successfully for you.

I use one extensively to inform my family of our location – now on our second lap around Australia.
It has a function to tell you when its message has been successfully sent - I also have my computer set up to receive the message. It hasn’t failed yet and I wouldn’t travel without it.
Regards Dennis

As I understand it the device uses Globalstar for communication.

This is rated as the worst sat system ever. Almost no one uses it for phones so how much better it is for Spot I would wonder.

SPOT is a good system, but just remember you're required to pay an annual subscription to keep the service active. The basic service is $US115 per year. Unlimited Check-in/OK, Help, and Custom Message emails are included. It also includes to 200 annual Check-in/OK, Help, or Custom Message text messages to any mobile phone, worldwide. Your credit card is charged an additional $US0.10 for each additional text message.

To allow people to track your progress online. You're required to pay an additional $US49.99. When activated, SPOT Track Progress automatically sends your GPS location waypoint to a Google Map every 10 minutes.

So while you might only pay $229 for the SPOT, your up for at least $US115 per year to use it, plus another $US49.99 for people to track your progress via Google Maps

SPOT is a private service, which has an agreement with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, however remember that when a SPOT is activated in an emergency, the signal is first sent to the US, before a phone call is made to the Australian authorities. With an Australian registered PLB or EPIRB, the signal is sent through to Australia's Rescue Coordination Centre straight away, no middle man.

Good features are the ability to "check in" and request non-life threatening help from family and friends. Though this may have limited use, for example, you can't ask for a specific spare part to be brought to you. All that your friends/family will know if that you need non-life threatening help. If you program in a custom message before you go, it may not be the custom message you need to send out in the field.

The other option is a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), similar to an EPIRB, but designed mainly for use on land. A GPS enabled PLB retails for approx $AU589. Drawback is you can't use it to ask for for non-life threatening help. You pay your $589 and your unit is good for 10 years before requiring a service and battery swap.

Probably a good unit to invest in if you're going to use it regularly, or doing a long trip such as the big lap. Good also to let people know you're ok if stuck or delayed by rain, etc. You can't do this with an EPIRB or PLB.

Probably worth considering also a PLB, in conjunction with UHF radio, HF/ Sat Phone (you can hire photh of these).

I purchased one recently and did a trip up to the Cooper ferry.As i was travelling for a lot of the journey solo it was good for those at home to be able to track.
Apart from the OK message have one saying "RACV to this location" and another "delayed but OK.".
I'm happy with it -does what's reqd quickly .
I just have a question for the experts.
Can I download my track to Google earth?Whick one of the download formats should I use?
Thanks,
MARY

Hi Bob

We have been using SPOT for a couple of years now. Initially we were concerned with SPOT being linked to Globalstar, but all of our trips have shown us that the down side of Globalstar is not related to SPOT.

Late last year, SPOT released a new model (commonly known as SPOT2). So I call my units SPOT1 & SPOT2 (SPOT1 being the first model).

Although SPOT1 has longer battery life (we got 12 months out of the 2 AA litium batteries), it suffered from sending a weaker signal, so the hit rate was lower than the new model (SPOT2).

SPOT2 runs on 3 AAA lithium batteries and only gives approx 2 months battery life. Of course, these times will be different if you run you unit more often. Our unit is usually on for about 6 - 8 hours per day while we are travelling. The battery life will be shorter if you run the unit 24 hours a day in tracking mode.

I decided to test SPOT's ability to send positions in tracking mode, so I ran both units (SPOT1 & SPOT2) side by side on a 4WD trip we did earlier this year. Both units performed well while travelling along the highway with open view to the sky. It was when we went offroad with mountainous & tree covered tracks that SPOT2 showed its value.

The total trip was 1,200kms and based on a tracking position every 10 minutes, the SPOT1 unit had a 60% hit rate (130 recorded positions), while SPOT2 had an 80% hit rate (170 recorded positions).

You can view both of these trips if you want to see the comparisons, by clicking on the following links.

SPOT1

SPOT2

I would not go anywhere without SPOT messenger. Dont take any notice of the Globestar bunkum.

I have had ours since mid 2008 and it has operated flawlessley. It keeps getting better & better too with the number of Apps you can hook it up to like the EO Maps.

We are just home from our 2010 3 month trip and it was all logged using SPOT, if you are clever you can even geotag your photos with it.

You can see a real example of its capability here on my
GPS Tracking page

Also an example of how geotagged images can work at the bottom of the blog page on same site

Also the makers claim the Spot V1 has a battery life of 2weeks, we only changed our batteries once during the 3 months & they were still going strong.

The SOS / 911 feature works too as I know the Vic Alpine area Station Sgt that was called to a GPS coordinate on the High plains to find a Trailbike rider with a broken leg !

In summary after reading this thread the Spot system sounds like good value when you consider Epirbs costing around $500-600. The added functionality and customer testimonials here make it a winner imo. No doubting if you really want a complete system you would supplement this with a satellite phone. Money well spent when safety is paramount.

Howdy Bob
I have used Spot for 3 years now and would not be without it as one of the options we have if all goes wrong while we travel.

The only thing I warn anyone about is that Spot is owned by a private company and could go bust at anytime (I doubt it would happen but it has to be considered).

Cheers
PeteS

Thanks so much everyone.... so much to consider... but I now have a much better base from which to make an informed decision.

Bob

I own two of the original SPOT units. One stays in the vehicle (SPOT1) and one (SPOT2) is carried if I leave the vehicle. They sometimes do not report on time, but they are certainly reliable enough to let my Son know where I am. They work well in the desert where there is seldom anything to block the view of the sky. In mountain country you will certainly have some gaps in the reporting.

I have a series of messages worked out with my Son in Newcastle in case we lose all communication from the vehicle. If I am stationary the position of the two SPOT's tell him what sort of a problem I have and if I need help and the degree of urgency. These signals are used when the problem might be serious but not life threatening enough to use the emergency button or turn on the EPIRB.

I would not leave home without them.

Dick