Spot
Would like to hear comments from those of you who used the SPOT on the AT. Was it worth it? Any problems with it?
Seek, and you shall find.
You really dont need it for the AT, just sayin.
I played with the first version. It was useful for sending "OK messages" once at camp. It was TOTALLY WORTHLESS in tracking mode. If there was one freaking tree around SPOT would not produce a good track.Originally Posted by -SEEKER-
I hear the newer version is better but have not used it.
Worth it? It does almost nothing for the hiker. If it makes your loved ones back home more comfortable, it has a value.
Fear ridges that are depicted as flat lines on a profile map.
Made it from Springer to Franchonia Notch without one, but toying with the idea of using one next year through the rest of NH and ME.
Seek, and you shall find.
Id say it depends on when you are hiking. You would almost be better off just carrying a cell phone. The AT up here gets really crowded so people would be around. Not much solitude on the AT.
I mostly heard thru hikers curse their SPOT device daily. IMO, you're better off carrying an equal weight in Snicker bars.
"Fish Camp Woman.... Baby, I like the way you smell"
- Unknown Hinson
My Hubby has been looking over my shoulder while I read trail Journals. So far he has seen cases of two broken legs and a broken hip in NH and ME recently. Also, a friend fell in 2010 and broke her wrist in ME and had to be rescued. I usually get cell service to check in, but had some problems at the higher elevations in VT and NH this year when the weather was bad.
Seek, and you shall find.
I use the Spot 2. Do I need it? Probably not. Does it make my wife feel better when I hike alone. Yes. I will continue to use it because of it gives her peace of mind.
Well its a reality that accidents happen. I get cell reception in the Pemi and its one of the more remote areas of the Whites. The people I know that did carry a SPOT in 08, usually sent it home after Trail Days. Thruhikers and hikers in general tend to travel in packs. The only time we were really alone was in Mass/ Vermont and it was intentional. We purposely spaced ourselves to have solitude for a couple of days but we still saw plenty of people either day hikers or sectioners. You will be fine
very valid reason for carrying one
The current safety mantra is to "rely on your skills not your technology".
Heck even the SPOT website says:
"Know how to read a compass and map. Handheld GPS Devices are useful, but should not replace navigation skills"
"Fish Camp Woman.... Baby, I like the way you smell"
- Unknown Hinson
I made my kids learn how to use, and carry, a slide rule. Those new-fangled calculator contraptions can break...........
Fear ridges that are depicted as flat lines on a profile map.
Just remember, in a pinch you can slice cheese with a slide rule, not a calculator.
"Fish Camp Woman.... Baby, I like the way you smell"
- Unknown Hinson
I was mainly considering the use of one for the sake of my Hubby. If he doesn't hear from me for more than two days he may freak. I thought with a SPOT I could send an OK signal in case of no cell reception. Just a thought. If I did decide to go with one I would probably see if someone on here wanted to sell theirs, assuming that service can be purchased by someone other than the original owner.
Seek, and you shall find.
Good enough reason to get one
I used a SPOT "1" for 3 years and this season flipped over to the newer SPOT 2. Like others
have said, it's value is more to keep the folks back home happy. If they are happy, then you
get to go hiking. And if you get to go hiking, then you are happy. The tracking mode with SPOT 2
seems to work better - maybe the 2 has a little more transmit power. Tracking service costs a
lot extra and isn't needed if you just want to check in once a day. On the other hand, you can
upload your trips to the SPOT Adventure site which provides journal and picture slide show support.
I'm happy with the SPOT 2 - it works as advertised.
I solo, I carry one, the loved ones are at peace. Makes my days in the woods much more enjoyable
Take Time to Watch the Trees Dance with The Wind........Then Join In........
Yep. When momma is happy, everyone is happy.
The first time I saw a SPOT, it was sitting alone in a shelter on the AT. Someone either forgot to pack it, or intentionally left it behind. Either way, it wasn't doing much good. (Maybe it was the governor of SC or something like that.) The next time I saw one was on a steep grade in the North Cascades. The hiker was so loaded with gadgets and was struggling so much with his huge pack, it looked like he was about to need the SPOT. Then there was the news story a couple years ago about the inexperienced group in the Grand Canyon who pushed "help" three times on one trip, once because the water tasted salty. There have been lots of false alarms from those. I was a volunteer firefighter in a mountainous area and I responded to a few.
I'll agree with those noting that the SPOT is more for those at home than for those on the trail. If you carry one, please get very familiar with it and guard it in your pack so you don't push the wrong buttons.
"Throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence." John Muir on expedition planning
Can't you just keep them turned off until you want to use it to "check in"?
Seek, and you shall find.
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