GSM (ie cellular based) GPS trackers

[buggsubique]

Hey all,

A while back I posted a poll on whether riders would use a SPOT locator or a PLB / EPIRB. I personally haven't been doing enough riding to warrant laying out $6-700 for a modern PLB with "I'm OK" capability, but I do still intend to purchase one in the near-mid term.

But on a tangent, what do you guys think about these GPS trackers you can get on Trade Me

Now, on here they're being re-sold at a moderately high margin at around or over $200, but I have an account with the supplier and depending on number purchased there is an economy of scale that can bring a high quality unit in at around the $100 mark.

My pick would be this one. This unit provides GPS loc, heading, speed. Also still acts as a cell phone if required with three pre-programmed emergency numbers (but most of us have a phone anyway). My thoughts:

-cellular based (not satellite like PLB or SPOT) so limited to "90whatever% of the places kiwis work live and play". BUT if you text the unit, it will respond as it comes back into reception.

-Cheap! I mean, compared to hundreds of $ for a GPS enabled PLB or ongoing $115 per year for SPOT, it is dirt cheap...but limited to cell coverage.

-Get a 2 degrees sim with 9c texts, it would be a faaaarken cheap way for Mrs Jatz to check if that carb is holding together on Mr Jatz's steed...or Buggs is going to be down off mt Patriarch in time for tea... or where the f*ck your riding buddy is as he's 20 mins late and not answering his phone....

-We could set up an Adv rider SOP or contact list to monitor a rider's progress (eg DB1k teams).

-Wives and families might also get some peace of mind from texting hubby's locator and seeing that he made it to Hanmer Springs etc.

-Many of us ride with GPS's so by texting a rider's locator it would respond with lat & long and whether he was static (needs help?) or moving (also what speed & bearing). You could then programme into your GPS and see where he is and if any safety action is required.

I know not a lot of us have wads of spare cash laying around, but welcome your thoughts. I might get a couple in and have a play.

[NordieBoy]

Velly interested...

[dino3310]

Hey all,


-We could set up an Adv rider SOP or contact list to monitor a rider's progress (eg DB1k teams).

.

does that mean Safe Operating Proceedure

[Gremlin]

problem is the amount of cell reception in the backwater places. I go there for great riding, but its rare the areas have coverage

[zeRax]

years ago i had the idea that you could bug all highway patrol cars with these and have a screen in your car showing where they all are, hahaha

[buggsubique]

does that mean Safe Operating Proceedure

Standard Operating Procedure.

[reofix]

purchased one a month or two ago ... i spend a lot of time down backroads and tracks by myself usually without phone reception... I figure its cheap insurance ... bleeding to death in a gully would be the pits and rather final .. cost was 399 plus 150 per annum . Has a nice bunch of message possibilities .. 1 .. send the helicopter now for me ... 2 ... send the helicopter for this other guy i found... 3 ... can you bring a trailer im broken down ... 4 ... all ok

[ducatijim]

Gotta Spot, can't see the point in a system that will NOT have coverage in 90% of the places that adventure riders are 'likely' to need to call for help from?

Wot price to do you put on ur life( or loved ones peace of mind?).....spend the pingers and don't be cheap with ur most important asset( FFS, youall spent more than a spots worth on a new 'flash harry' helmet wouldn't ya!!!!).

2c's

[slofox]

(also what speed & bearing).

Not sure I want all of that information available to others...

[NordieBoy]

Not sure I want all of that information available to others...

Yeah. I don't want others knowing the state of my bearings.

[buggsubique]

Yeah. I don't want others knowing the state of my bearings.

You mean marbles Nordie and the fact you've actually lost em?

[buggsubique]

Gotta Spot, can't see the point in a system that will NOT have coverage in 90% of the places that adventure riders are 'likely' to need to call for help from?

Wot price to do you put on ur life( or loved ones peace of mind?).....spend the pingers and don't be cheap with ur most important asset( FFS, youall spent more than a spots worth on a new 'flash harry' helmet wouldn't ya!!!!).

2c's

Yep agreed - but this isn't intended to be a life saver...it's really jsut a cell phone with a bit of location trickery chucked into it. In terms of safety, pretty minimal, more just a location information device. But again, look at the cost. F*ck all $ for a lot of handy functionality and a bit of cool factor. Certainly can't be relied upon as a SPOT or EPIRB equivalent for safety purposes.

[hayd3n]

take a look at this
http://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/safe-text

[buggsubique]

Well, they arrived within a few days from Chinaland.

Now I need some help to trouble shoot the lat long I'm getting from the unit when I SMS the unit.

On one mapping system (Freshmap) the WGS84 coords a bang on and the location comes up within a few meters on the screen.

But when I enter it on Google Earth of Google Maps the position shown is miles out (ie Pelorus Bridge instead of Blenheim).

Have a go for yourselves if you want. THe unit is defaulted to WGS 84 so all should be fine. Any thoughts?

To get my location text: W000000,000 to 0220343659 and you'll get a $GPRMC string back with lat long, time, bearing etc....which all needs to be interpreted obviously.

Any mapping / NMEA guru's out there who can assist with this Google Earth discrepancy would be appreciated.

Matt

[NordieBoy]

I get "W05,000," as my return txt.

To get my location text: W000000,000 to 0220343659 and you'll get a $GPRMC string back with lat long, time, bearing etc....which all needs to be interpreted obviously.

Any mapping / NMEA guru's out there who can assist with this Google Earth discrepancy would be appreciated.

Matt