Find me Spot

[cooneyr]

I've just seen a link on the DR650 Yahoo group for Spot (http://www.findmespot.com/Home.aspx). Basically a hand held device that receives a GPS signal, determines your coords then uses communication satellites to send out one of four messages being

I'm OK
This is a track point
Non emergency help
Emergency help


I'd much rather ride with mates and all look after each other but for whatever reason if you ride on your own or would like to keep your family and friends informed that your OK or otherwise this might be worth investigating.

Its a competitor to the Epirb/PLB's but enables the first three options listed above as well as the emergency option.

Cheers R

[WRT]

Pretty cool, and much better than relying on cell phone coverage. The pricing isn't too bad either, compared to the alternatives.

[marks]

Great find Ryan

I'm going to check this out - it seems a brilliant idea if you are adventure riding or trail riding alone.

[buggsubique]

Hmmm, I wonder if it's just over-complicating things...yes I do see the benefits in it, but I would suggest maybe a detailed route plan, with alternative routes, estimated report times & locations and hiring an EPIRB for use as a last resort would be pretty effective for bukku cheaper.

Back country solo, or plan-as-you-go (ie lack of planning!) type trips it would probably be valuable though. Cool-new-toy factor too though.

[Crisis management]

Interesting device, and surely a sign of what our cell phones will be doing in ten years time!
I couldn't find any info on it's compatability with our 406 Mhz EPIRB system so that may be worth a check.
Conditions of insurance were great....100K cover except if the search is caused by changing weather conditions or lack of planning / foresight on your part! Terrorist attacks are covered tho....

I also wonder about the pricing, an EPIRB is about $700 so how come this is only $170 US? Being of a suspicious nature, I assume that something is different somewhere!

So, who's going to buy one to find out?

[NordieBoy]

We've been discussing them over on ADvRider for a while too.

Check SpotMakers posts.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=282391

[mbazza]

I found a $NZ price for SPOT here, no idea about cost of annual fees.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/GPS/Handheld/auction-158851690.htm

Whose's going to shell out for one first? Cheers:gob: