Spot GPS for the gadget geeks

[SadieKate]

Very cool new gadget I just saw on TV today. It's a GPS messenger so you can send a 911 request to Search and Rescue, or a simple help message to family, or just messages to family/friends so they can track your progress live through Google maps. Works outside of cell phone range.

http://www.findmespot.com/

I'm thinking of getting one so I can ride by myself with more peace of mind for me and hubby.

Anyone else done any research on the thing?

[jobob]

That looks pretty nifty.

Particularly since a lot of the places I ride are outside of cell phone areas.

[jobob]

Here's a review

http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=967

[Pedal Wench]

I saw this one on the website I work for: http://dvice.com/archives/2007/12/zoombak_gps_loc.php

I think it could be great - I would like to know that my BF or family could see how I'm doing if I ride alone.

[SadieKate]

The Spot is significantly different from the Zoombak in that you can send messages from the device to others - 911, family, etc. - at varying levels of need (emergency, help from family, or just checking in). None of the receivers would need to know that you were out on an adventure until the message was sent.

With the Zoombak, someone would need to know that you are out on your bike and would actively have to be looking for you and keeping an eye on your progress. It's more of a watchdog snoop from afar (maybe great for parents) while the Spot allows the rider to request help.

I can see where the two products might be seen as competition for each other, but they have very different uses and capabilities.

[Pedal Wench]

SadieKate, wonderful observation -- that's what I get for just looking at headlines and not reading the details.

I saw an ad for the Spot on Survivorman last weekend, and forgot about it. I think it's a brilliant product. My BF and I are avid hikers, and we're frequently out in the backcountry in the Grand Canyon. Something like this is a much better alternative to something like a satphone. My parents would love it if we had this. We're planning a long hike on the John Muir trail, and folks at home could track our progress.

Also, my parents are sailors, and I would love to give them something like this when they're out on the ocean.

If anyone has anymore input, let me know. I might have to get this!

[SadieKate]

PedalWench, go to the product website and read everything in the "in the news" section particularly the reviews from "Equipped to Survive." I'm not sure that it would work out on the ocean. Wouldn't a real sat phone be better? There are so lumps and bumps.

Someone over on the Serotta forum uses it for night solo bike rides and gave it rave reviews from real life experience which sounds a bit more like my need for one and probably would fit your need for hikes, just maybe not the sailing application.

[Mr. Bloom]

This is supercool! Much to Silver's dismay, I worry when she goes on long, rural rides alone...this is a great solution!

Does anyone else actually have one?

[jobob]

Here's a link to the thread on the Serotta forum, with the user's comments.

http://www.serotta.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37934

If you scroll down to the bottom, there's another link to some pretty detailed reviews on Backpackgeartest.org

[sundial]

That is cool! I just sent the link to hubby. Maybe he'll buy one for my birthday. :D

[snowtulip]

Wow, we've been self supported mountain bike touring for years and I always make sure we take a satellite phone because of our remoteness and potential for injury during these trips. The only reason is to call for help, we do not use it for anything else, and luckily have never had to use it. But that thing is like a lead brick!!!

This looks like a great alternative, thanks for bringing it to our attention!

[Pedal Wench]

Woohoo! I just saw that they'll be exhibiting at the convention I'm going to next week. I'll get the scoop. Any specific questions I should ask? I'll try to get a bit of hands-on time for y'all.

[SadieKate]

Yeah, ask about GlobalStar's financial situation and long term outlook. It'll take a lot of $100-150 annual subscriptions to pay for satellites.

http://www.equipped.com/SPOT_ORSummer2007.htm

Oh, and who do they see as competitors, even if a product hasn't been released to market yet.

Thanks.

What kind of conference?

[Pedal Wench]

Yeah, ask about GlobalStar's financial situation and long term outlook. It'll take a lot of $100-150 annual subscriptions to pay for satellites.

http://www.equipped.com/SPOT_ORSummer2007.htm

Oh, and who do they see as competitors, even if a product hasn't been released to market yet.

Thanks.

What kind of conference?

CES -- the Consumer Electronics Show. 4 days of madness in Vegas. I can't wait... :rolleyes:

[SadieKate]

Ooh, talk about Gadget Geeks!!!

[SadieKate]

And one mo' -- any plans for a smaller version or one that can be mounted on a bike somewhere without damaging the paint?

[Pedal Wench]

Ooh, talk about Gadget Geeks!!!

Trust me, I'm the Queen!:cool:

Ask me about audio products. GPS. Home theater. Portable audio. Car audio. I cover all of it!:D

[SadieKate]

A good review from someone who tested it in the field.

http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080102/SPORTS0411/801020311

[NoNo]

Very cool. The car club I'm in does a trip north every February, and this would be perfect. The first year, on the way to Hudson Bay, my friend flipped his car. It was quite a way to the nearest emergency phone, and since it was Quebec, they only spoke French. The second year we got caught in a hurricane in the Cabot Stait (right about where the Titanic sank), and were stuck at sea for 32 hours. Last year we went to Labrador, and though we had no real problems, we did try using the sat phone once just to test, and couldn't get it to work. It'd be nice to know there's a back-up plan in case of an actual emergency.

[Pedal Wench]

I've been in touch with their PR rep (turns out I reviewed some of his products for a magazine a few years ago and he remembered my name -- imagine that!) and I'll be able to play with one at the show. I can't wait!

[SadieKate]

Way cool.:)

Here's a comment a friend emailed me this morning. Can you add it to your list of questions? We all owe you for your diligent effort to keep us safe.

As John(?) pointed out, confirming that SPOT uses the DIGITAL frequency spectrum instead of the soon-to-be-oped-for-other-uses ANALOG spectrum is essential. Given that SPOT appears to be a relative newcomer, I'd doubt that it relies on the ANALOG spectrum.

[jobob]

PedalWench, you might need a SPOT in the wilds of Vegas, in case a search & rescue party needs to be sent.

Oh wait, I was thinking of snapdragen. :cool:

[sundial]

I think I might be getting one for my birthday. Ooooh, I can't wait! This will be perfect for when I ride my mtb in the backwoods. :cool:

[SadieKate]

Yoohoo, PedalWench!

Tap-tap-tap. . . .

Ahem . . . . . . . . .:p

[Pedal Wench]

Yoohoo, PedalWench!

Tap-tap-tap. . . .

Ahem . . . . . . . . .:p

Ooops. Sorry for the delay! My post on it: http://dvice.com/archives/2008/01/ces_new_spot_sa.php

It's definitely cool. Much lighter than I expected. At the moment, no bike mount, but it's the type of device that you wouldn't use constantly -- just to send "I'm OK" messages home. While I was talking to the PR guy, another gent who's a private pilot and huge fan walked up and was raving about it. The PR guy shared two stories of rescues within the past week -- one in an avalanche situation where there was no way rescuers could have gotten there without the exact pinpoint of GPS.

It's a product from Globalstar -- they're not folding any time soon, and their financials are secure.

It uses the satellite bands -- no worries about digital/analog bandwith (was your friend thinking about the television broadcast bandwith?)

I will be trying it out on our next long-distance hike.

[SadieKate]

Don't you have to run it constantly if you want someone to be able to track your movements real-time? That's the $50 per year upgraded service. At least, I think. Am I wrong?

Bubba and I decided that we'll put our REI dividend towards the purchase of one.

[Pedal Wench]

It sends out the tracking signal every 10 minutes -- not exactly constant, but to preserve battery life, it seems okay.

I'm thinking I need one too. With REI onboard, (with their amazing return policy) I would think it's a sure thing.

As far as bike mount, I've had good luck using two hair rubberbands to secure a Garmin 305 to the bars. This should work just as well...

[SadieKate]

Go to the hardware store and buy O-rings. Cheap and stronger. Cheap place to replace the O-rings all your computer mounts. We even put them on our water bottles to prevent leaks. Works like a charm.

[Pedal Wench]

Go to the hardware store and buy O-rings. Cheap and stronger.

Ha -- I use them too. Ever since I see how efficient the O-ring mounts are on my Dinotte's, I'm a convert to O-rings too.