View Full Version : SPOT messenger
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...
never heard of it... :D
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=44399&highlight=spot
Speed Goat Karl has some wonderful things to say about it, too! :)
gregugadawg
01-24-2009, 23:06
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
01-24-2009, 23:11
I use it. I like it.
ofthearth
01-25-2009, 10:04
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/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0TIccRpLnhzuqOYyDSxiKxFqmyp6K7B F6
budforester
01-25-2009, 10:18
Kayak Karls map
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0TIccRpLnhzuqOYyDSxiKxFqmyp6K7B F6
Thanks for the link; it seems that the plot looks better than my previous cyber- hike with Spot.
ofthearth
01-25-2009, 11:19
More SPOT info
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=44399&highlight=spot
Hoop Time
01-25-2009, 18:01
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
03-21-2010, 22:01
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
03-21-2010, 22:10
I sent a message to my wife just about every night with my cell phone.
Shutterbug
03-22-2010, 00:05
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-Portable-Navigator-Satellite-Communicator/dp/B0031QNPAC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269230694&sr=8-1-spell
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+2+recall&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
AeroGuyDC
03-22-2010, 14:46
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-Portable-Navigator-Satellite-Communicator/dp/B0031QNPAC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269230694&sr=8-1-spell (http://www.amazon.com/Earthmate-Portable-Navigator-Satellite-Communicator/dp/B0031QNPAC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269230694&sr=8-1-spell)
Holy Crap! $550 bucks! Text is cool....but not THAT cool! :D
Shutterbug
03-22-2010, 15:37
Holy Crap! $550 bucks! Text is cool....but not THAT cool! :D
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
03-22-2010, 15:40
Holy Crap! $550 bucks! Text is cool....but not THAT cool! :D
Yeah, but free shipping!
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
03-23-2010, 06:18
Holy Crap! $550 bucks! Text is cool....but not THAT cool! :D
And Amazon says it weighs 2.2 lbs, shipping weight 1 lb?
I wonder how much it really weighs?
Spot In The Sky
03-23-2010, 06:58
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.
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..........
Shutterbug
03-23-2010, 12:06
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..........
For those who only hike the AT, I agree. If there is cell phone coverage, one doesn't need a SPOT. For those of us who primarily hike out west where there isn't as much tree cover and is minimal cell phone coverage, the SPOT is a good tool.