SPOT messenger

[wikea1]

Just curious, I thought bringing along a SPOT satelite messenger so family and friends could track me would be fun. Has anyone ever used or own one of these or tried one out on the trail? Do they work good? Just an idea floating in my brain...

[Tin Man]

never heard of it...

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...highlight=spot

[Mags]

Speed Goat Karl has some wonderful things to say about it, too!

[gregugadawg]

I know there is a member of the forum here that is hiking with one right now so you can see exactly where he is. I think it is kayak karl so just do a search.

[karoberts]

I use it. I like it.

[ofthearth]

Just curious, I thought bringing along a SPOT satelite messenger so family and friends could track me would be fun. Has anyone ever used or own one of these or tried one out on the trail? Do they work good? Just an idea floating in my brain...

I know there is a member of the forum here that is hiking with one right now so you can see exactly where he is. I think it is kayak karl so just do a search.

Kayak Karls map

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/f...iKxFqmyp6K7BF6

[budforester]

Kayak Karls map

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/f...iKxFqmyp6K7BF6

Thanks for the link; it seems that the plot looks better than my previous cyber- hike with Spot.

[ofthearth]

More SPOT info
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...highlight=spot

[Hoop Time]

SPOT was a fiasco during Karl's effort, but it was probably due to how we was using it. He was on the move the whole time, not stopping in a clearing to ping the bird. It seems to have trouble finding the satellite when there is heavy tree cover, and perhaps moreso when you are moving as you try to send.

A guy named Berf that I met last summer carried one and seemed pleased with it. He would send a message once a day to his wife and others letting them know he was OK and his location. When he showed it to me, we were out on Table Rock on Peters Mountain, where he had stopped to take a break, enjoy the view and to take advantage of some open sky to transmit with his SPOT.

[Spot In The Sky]

Two years after this thread started, any positive words about Spot 2? From what ive read elsewhere it seems to be more reliable than the first one...discuss.

[SGT Rock]

I sent a message to my wife just about every night with my cell phone.

[Shutterbug]

Two years after this thread started, any positive words about Spot 2? From what ive read elsewhere it seems to be more reliable than the first one...discuss.

I have been using SPOT one since it first came out. I have been pleased with it. I have not upgraded to the new SPOT because I am waiting for the Delorme/Spot that is coming out in June.

With the current SPOT, I can only send the preprogramded messages. That is good, but with the new one, I will be able to send text messages. I often hike in areas where there is no cell coverage, so I am looking forward to being able to send txt messages from such places as the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Here is a link to the GPS/Spot: http://www.amazon.com/Earthmate-Port...4&sr=8-1-spell

[Mags]

Two years after this thread started, any positive words about Spot 2? From what ive read elsewhere it seems to be more reliable than the first one...discuss.

http://www.google.com/search?q=spot+...ient=firefox-a

[AeroGuyDC]

I have been using SPOT one since it first came out. I have been pleased with it. I have not upgraded to the new SPOT because I am waiting for the Delorme/Spot that is coming out in June.

With the current SPOT, I can only send the preprogramded messages. That is good, but with the new one, I will be able to send text messages. I often hike in areas where there is no cell coverage, so I am looking forward to being able to send txt messages from such places as the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Here is a link to the GPS/Spot: http://www.amazon.com/Earthmate-Port...4&sr=8-1-spell

Holy Crap! $550 bucks! Text is cool....but not THAT cool!

[Shutterbug]

Holy Crap! $550 bucks! Text is cool....but not THAT cool!

One reading Whiteblaze.Net all the time would probably be surprised that all hikers aren't broke. A few of us buy expensive toys.

[max patch]

Holy Crap! $550 bucks! Text is cool....but not THAT cool!

Yeah, but free shipping!

[Lellers]

Yes, I used it.

Yes, it worked.

No, it was not fun, as everyone at home became a "backseat hiker", leaving me messages on my cell (serious), that I was moving too slow, should start hiking sooner each morning, spent too much time in one place during the day.

I would use it again, but only to keep my husband updated.

[brooklynkayak]

Holy Crap! $550 bucks! Text is cool....but not THAT cool!

And Amazon says it weighs 2.2 lbs, shipping weight 1 lb?
I wonder how much it really weighs?

[Spot In The Sky]

And Amazon says it weighs 2.2 lbs, shipping weight 1 lb?
I wonder how much it really weighs?

My guess would be -3.2 lbs.

[Spokes]

I saw and heard more thru-hikers last year cussing their SPOT (Stupid Piece Of Technology) devices. Why not consider providing audio updates (it's free) on a service like http://www.trailphone.net instead?

Bet your friends and family would enjoy hearing your voice rather than getting an email or seeing a dot on a Google map.

You choose..........