bigalpha
Moderator
- Location
- Tucson, AZ
How is the SPOT different from carrying a GPS-enabled smartphone? Can't you be tracked that way?
How is the SPOT different from carrying a GPS-enabled smartphone? Can't you be tracked that way?
SPOT is satellite, works where there isnt cell coverage
Nice. So if you active the 'I fell off a cliff and broke both my legs and can't walk button' who exactly gets notified? Does it go to central dispatch and then they patch into the most local 911?
Doesn't the GPS work in phones when there isn't cell coverage?
it goes to SPOT. they then send the info to the nearest emergency services.
If a cell phone has a separate GPS chip on the board, it will. Many older cell phones used triangulation from several towers to determine position, not sure about all the new ones, and if they all have stand alone GPS. It doesn't really matter. Having a phone that can tell you exactly where you are doesn't matter if you can't use it to call anybody and tell them. I regularly wheel north of Phoenix and it's pretty common for my phone to have no signal for most of the trip.Doesn't the GPS work in phones when there isn't cell coverage?
Yes and no. There are three basic functions. The first is a regular check in function. This sends an email or text out to a group of numbers you put into the system before you leave home. You can put up to 20 different contacts in that group. The second is a help function. This also goes to your group. It can be different from the first group if you want. You can have all kinds of predetermined messages or if you have one of the units that works with your cell phone you can customize the message but they charge $.50 for those. Pretty cheap if you are stranded. The third is an emergency message. This has its own button, you don't need to do anything fancy just pop the cover, hit the button and it sends a beacon with your gps coords to spots call center and they call the proper emergency services for your area. If you are in the middle of nowhere and you hit that button you'll most likely get a life flight heli response that you'll have to pay for so its best if you only use it in a real bad situation.
Doesn't the GPS work in phones when there isn't cell coverage?
Yes and no. There are three basic functions. The first is a regular check in function. This sends an email or text out to a group of numbers you put into the system before you leave home. You can put up to 20 different contacts in that group. The second is a help function. This also goes to your group. It can be different from the first group if you want. You can have all kinds of predetermined messages or if you have one of the units that works with your cell phone you can customize the message but they charge $.50 for those. Pretty cheap if you are stranded. The third is an emergency message. This has its own button, you don't need to do anything fancy just pop the cover, hit the button and it sends a beacon with your gps coords to spots call center and they call the proper emergency services for your area. If you are in the middle of nowhere and you hit that button you'll most likely get a life flight heli response that you'll have to pay for so its best if you only use it in a real bad situation.
The only reason you need your phone is to type out a custom message as the spot unit itself only has three buttons. Everything goes through a sat service. Cellular has nothing to do with their service at all.
I don't think you can track, send check ins or help messages (non emergency) with out a phone.
To me, the ability to customize a message is totally worth it. If I'm 200 miles in the middle of nowhere and I have a water pump go out, sending a generalized message saying "help me, I'm right here" might get me rescued but if I can say "bring a water pump and two gallons of coolant" then that little $.50 text just saved me at least 400 miles and a shitload of gas going back and forth. Not to mention the added time.
I don't think you can track, send check ins or help messages (non emergency) with out a phone.
To me, the ability to customize a message is totally worth it. If I'm 200 miles in the middle of nowhere and I have a water pump go out, sending a generalized message saying "help me, I'm right here" might get me rescued but if I can say "bring a water pump and two gallons of coolant" then that little $.50 text just saved me at least 400 miles and a shitload of gas going back and forth. Not to mention the added time.
Okay, so the only thing you can do without a phone is 911? That is more in line with what I understood when I briefly looked into the device.
I'd like the text ability but when I'm wheeling in a no-phone area I prefer to stow and forget the phone. Plus I like invoking my check ins from the rugged Spot device (that preference is mainly for when I'm out on my KLR).
I love having my SPOT.
Between that, ALWAYS letting someone know where I'm at and then using common sense I seldom feel too unsafe venturing out on my own.
I also keep a few days worth of food and water with me at all times, warm clothes, boots and blankets.