SPOT Personal Tracker
SPOT Personal Tracker
- Satellite messenger with GPS tracking for keeping users safe on adventure trips.Purchasing a service plan is required in addition to purchasing the SPOT unit.
- SpotChecking feature alerts friends and family of your precise location
- SpotCasting function lets friends and family follow your progress in real time
- Sends GPS coordinates and distress message to Emergency Response Center
- Satellite technology works around the world; measures 2.75 x 4.38 x 1.5 inches (W x H x D)
The SPOT Satellite Messenger, the world’s first satellite messenger, uses both the GPS satellite network to determine a customer’s location and the SPOT network to transmit that information to friends, family or an emergency service center. SPOT is a revolutionary product that is designed to raise the safety factor for hundreds of millions of people around the world.Give your loved ones full peace of mind when you’re on the mountain with the Spot Satellite Messenger. Whether you’re just checking in, allowing others to track your progress, or calling for help, Spot gives you a vital line of communication with friends and family when you want it, and emergency assistance when and where you need it. Spot employs a GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, then sends its location to the recipient of your choice, complete with a link to Google Maps and a pre-programmed message. Unlike personal locator beacons, however, Spot does more than just call for help. The SpotChecking feature
List Price: $ 99.99
Price: $ 70.00
DeLorme AF-7852-000 Earthmate PN Series RAM Bicycle Mount
- Solidly constructed
- Rustproof and Easy to Assemble
This mount is created specifically for the Earthmate PN series shape, for easy and secure attachment. EZ-On attachment fits multiple handlebar sizes. Low profile, won’t obstruct rider’s hand movement.
List Price: $ 24.95
Price: $ 20.00
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bobert
April 15, 2011They should offer a larger diameter handlebar clamp.,
It aint that hard to figure out without directions. There’s only four bolts, two nylok nuts and four plastic molded pieces. I don’t know what kind of plastic this material is, but without too much effort I had no problem prying apart the handlebar clamp. But I can see where it might be too tough for some. Believe me, if this clamp got stressed to the point of snapping you would know about it. The handlebar bracket was a sloppy fit, but wrappng a few turns of black electricians tape around the circumferance of the handlebar between it and the clamp took up the slop. No slop after I tightened it. Solid as a rock. Now, my handlebars are only 22 mm diam. close to the brake cable mounts and then it flares up to 25mm in diam. towards the gooseneck. So now you know what to expect. I agree they should offer a larger diameter handlebar clamp and print a diameter spec to go along with it.
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|Roger H. Howe
April 15, 2011Where Have I been,
I have just begun using this. Very impressed so far on what it can do. The check-in function allows after about 2-4 minutes of being on to click once and send either a text message to a phone or an e-mail to computer for up to 10 separate addresses. You manage the addresses by accessing your account on the internet. The tracking(an optional service costing another 50 dollars per year) also has worked for me. That service does seem to be more challenged to keep connected to the satellites than my Garmin Etrex which rarely looses it’s connection. The SPOT has a blinking green light sequence that indicates whether or not you have lost satellite signal. If you see both the power and tracking light(ok checkmark) are both blinking in sync then SPOT indicates it has satellite connections and knows where you are. I was disappointed that leaving it in the top of my backpack did not always insure keeping a signal. When I held it in my hand and walked for about 10 minutes it would begin blinking in sync. I tested it in several more remote mountainous areas by leaving it horizontal on top of my pack and on my shoulder pouch of my backpack. Once it has the signal it usually will keep it in sync. However, if you just turn it on in heavy trees and deep canyons it is not very sensitive to finding the GPS satellites. This is the one weakness that I keep in mind. With the GREAT battery life, I have had great luck in turning it on when I leave home, then driving to the location I want to explore. When arriving I already have a synced signal and can now begin tracking my trip to the website and usually keeping the signal.
The website shows the track and you can click on the several points of the tracking and they display the multiple locations on Google Maps numbered in order of creation. The power of this device to me is that since I have no cell phone towers in the remote mountain areas I frequent, this will use the messages by satellite and be available for four uses 1)Checking in by message that all is ok 2)Create a log of tracking locations every 10 minutes while turned on 3)Using another list of up to 10 addresses from your setup on the website a different message can be sent for help that is not life threatening like car breakdown or need to be picked up at a location and finally 4)Call 911 which will send to your broadcasted location help and rescue. I found it powerful to test these by using the device in non-life threatening situations. Customer service was very quick in answering my e-mail questions with kind and helpful responses in less than 24 hours each time. Color me satisfied.
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|ATHiker
April 15, 2011SPOT ON!!!!,
Please ignore the comments about Globalstar service below, he has no clue about this product. Globalstar is having problems with its duplex service S-band amplifiers which only affects two-way traffic. I should know I have a Globalstar satellite phone. SPOT uses the L-Band uplink (simplex modem) which is used to track trucks etc. this network is running at full efficiency. I have this product and it works better than my expectations. About this product: it is not a personal locator beacon and if you wish to use this solely for emergencies, I would recommend another product. A true personal locator beacon because it works in all conditions and all-terrain (I also own one by ACR). SPOT needs to have an uninterrupted view to the satellite. In other words in heavy canopy this product does not work very well but in broken canopy or in the open this product works great (samething is true with my handheld GPS). I use this product to communicate with family and friends on my progress when backpacking, biking, or just out and about. I do use this product in heavy canopy areas and send a signal when I cross a road or powerline crossing. I still carry my personal locator beacon for real emergencies but this product helps in non-emergency situations. For more operational details you can download the manual at http://www.findmespot.com
My cell phone doesn’t work when I’m away from cell towers or underwater while scuba diving nor in caves. Similarly SPOT will not work if it cannot contact the satellite. As with all communication devices, they all have limits and parameters that they operate in. You should know this before buying any product like this.
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