Spot Tracker unit question
Submitted: Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 16:32
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Member - Tony M
I've recently purchased a Spot Tracker via the ExplorOz
shop, and registered it to include the live tracking / breadcrumb trail function. It works fine sending the"ok" messages, and all message including the gps coordinates come through to everyone on our contact list perfectly. I cannot get it to come through with the breadcrumb trail to anyone on the shared list we created though. Has anyone out there got this function working - the company in the US weren't very forthcoming with
information.
Reply By: equinox - Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 16:40
Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 16:40
Hi Tony,
I have an old model.
You have to hold the OK button down for a few seconds for the tracking function starts working. If both the green lights are not flashing after about 20 minutes it means only an "Ok" signal went out and not a tracking signal. If this happens you have to start again.
To make sure I always hold the Ok button down for longer than necessary.
I'm not sure if this is your problem, good luck.
Cheers
Alan
AnswerID:
446057
Follow Up By: Member - Tony M- Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 16:54
Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 16:54
Thanks for the info Alan, I'll give that a try. Maybe I'm just reading the handbook incorrectly!!!
FollowupID:
718368
Follow Up By: Andrew & Jen - Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 17:08
Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 17:08
Tony
I have heard that battery use is high in this mode - it might last 12 hrs or so and at $20 a set of lithium batteries, I don't bother. Especially when there are better ways of keeping a track record.
If all's
well, I use
mine to send one position report at the end of the day.
If not OK, then send as needed.
Cheers
Andrew
FollowupID:
718369
Follow Up By: Member - Tony M- Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 17:16
Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 17:16
Thanks for the help Andrew & Jen, You are probably right, just to send one report on reaching
camp each night. We're off up the Cape in July, so at least our kids can see where we are each night. Cheers, Tony.
FollowupID:
718370
Follow Up By: equinox - Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 17:25
Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 17:25
Hi Andrew,
Battery use is very low. I used
mine every day in tracking mode for 25 days or so last year and then some more over shorter trips etc..on my second set now.
Cheers
Alan
FollowupID:
718371
Follow Up By: Andrew & Jen - Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 21:29
Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 21:29
Hullo Alan
The issue of battery life might have been with an earlier model.
The person who told me about it was working for an organisation that used them in the field to keep track of contractors involved with the recent locust investation. They got quite concerned when they "lost" a few people due to non transmittal and found it was as a result of low battery voltage/life.
Cheers
Andrew
FollowupID:
718398
Follow Up By: The Landy - Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 09:17
Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 09:17
Similar to Alan, I have used
mine for 10 hours a day for over a month on a trip last year, and have used it at other times recently, and have only just changed the batteries.
A great device I must add....
Cheers, The Landy
FollowupID:
718442
Reply By: Member - Vin & Lisa - Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 17:40
Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 17:40
Hi Tony, recently purchased one myself and have successfully set it up to show the breadcrumb trail on our Exploroz profile page via EOTrackMe. I just followed the instructions on this site, there is a section on EOTrackMe under the Members heading. One thing to remember is
the SPOT doesn't transmit constantly like an iPhone running UTrackMe, rather
the SPOT sends an updated position every 10mins while in tracking mode, regardless of movement or lack thereof. Happy to help if you still have troubles, but definitely
check out the instructions mentioned. Cheers, Vin.
AnswerID:
446061
Follow Up By: Member - Tony M- Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 18:02
Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 18:02
Thanks for your advice guys - I looked up the info you suggested and have printed it out. This looks like a better way to go so we'll give it a try. Very much appreciated, Cheers, Tony.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Richard C (ACT) - Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 21:03
Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 21:03
Tony,
The 'bread crumb" trail appears on a web site which other people can access.
I apologize if you realized that but when reading your thread entry it implied to me that you were expecting these people to be notified of the "trail crumb" . If I have read this incorrectly once again I am sorry.
I have had a SPOT for a few years now and there may be other options as I have not kept up to date with the changes.
re battery life. I have used it in quite a number of trips and have leant it ot other people and I have only changed the batteries twice. The batteries are expensive - about $12 for two but the last a long time.
It is a great device and just recently we used one to help locate and pick up some one from the
Vic High Country.
Have fun ,
Richard
AnswerID:
446090
Follow Up By: Member - Tony M- Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 22:20
Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 22:20
Thanks to you all for your input, fantastic help for me not really understanding how to use it. I'll look more closely into the ExplorOz setup, and take on board the other advice, much appreciated, Tony.
FollowupID:
718408