SPOT GPS Beacon Safety Device
January 6, 2008
On my winter camping trips I have a Personal Locater Beacon that accompanies me that will allow our camping party to send our GPS location along with a distress signal that will bring in a search and rescue team. It is a great device, but can only be used in a true life threatening emergency and bears significant costs if used for any other circumstance. I also have a Breitling Emergency watch which can transmit an emergency beacon on an aviation rescue frequency that carries the same penalties for non-emergency use. Both devices are also quite expensive, with the PLB costing about $700.00 and the watch several thousand.
What has been missing in the market place is a beaconing device that allows for non-life threatening emergency use or to check in with an “A OKAY” message to family and friends. The Spot Satellite Personal Messenger helps fill that void by providing GPS location services with messaging services over the Globalstar Satellite messaging network. What is unique to the SPOT device is that in addition to a 911 (genuine life threatening emergency) button, it also provides two additional communication features which can be set up by the user to trigger messages to their preferred recipients. Users can trigger and “OKAY” message which sends a scripted message to selected email address or cellular phones via SMS. This allows you to check in and designate that all is well. It also puts your location on a Google Maps page so that your recipients can track your location and follow your trip. It also has a user configured “HELP” button which will send a message the user creates (via a web interface prior to departure) to selected recipients. This can help trigger a desired action (e.g. request an extraction or assistance) without engaging a full search and rescue effort (which will incur significant costs).
Your GPS location and message trigger (e.g. OKAY, HELP, 911) are sent via the Globalstar satellite network. As a disappointed Globalstar satellite phone customer, I was concerned about using a device on their network, but in researching the issue I discovered that their completion rate for one way messaging is over 99% and that service degradation is not expected on the messaging network like it is on the voice network. The argument makes sense given the SPOT device must simply transmit one small packet as opposed to maintaining a voice quality connection. In addition, the technology is deployed in lots of freight tracking products so there is a strong commercial incentive to make sure it is reliable. Global coverage is available with the exception of portions of South Africa. A full coverage map is available on the company’s web site.
In our tests, the device worked exactly as specified. Upon receiving the device, it was easily registered and configured via the company’s website. It should be noted that there is a subscription fee for using the device of $100 a year. It is not clear whether you can still use the 911 feature if you don’t subscribe, but I can’t imagine them ignoring a life threatening emergency beacon because the user didn’t pay the fee, much like the cell phone companies can’t ignore a 911 call on a non-subscribed cellular phone.
The GPS has reasonable sensitivity when traveling in a vehicle, but it appeared that there were messaging delays to the SPOT network from inside the vehicle. Given the device is intended for use in open areas, it performed as expected when used outside in a static location. While we did not test the 911 feature, the OKAY and HELP worked as specified with email and SMS messages being sent to our specified contact list. The device can also be put in tracker mode, which will broadcast your location every 10 minutes for 24 hours.
The SPOT device should be a regular component of any outdoor enthusiasts kit or as a nice component to travelers that frequent areas where cell phone reception is not available. With a price point of $150.00, the cost of entry is not significant and the subscription can be viewed as a $100/year insurance policy. Well worth the cost if it keeps your family from worrying or should you ever need to deploy the device in a true emergency situation.
I am an aviator, and in Feb of 2009, the SARSAT (Search and rescue satellites) will stop monitoring the VHF Aviation emegency beacon frequency of 121.5. The new frequency is 406Mhz, and is very expensive at this time to replace the old and aging emergency locator beacons (ELT) that are manditory due to the high cost of high stability and transport approval costs in the new 406Mhz units.
Most aircraft owners are of middle income, and like boats, airplanes are a great hole to dump your hard earned cash into. Although Canadian and American Air search and rescue organizations will have the capability to home into the old 121.5Mhz signals from aicraft who have made an unscheuled re-aquaintance with the earth, the satellites will not be listening unless they are using the 406Mhz freq.
I bought the SPOT tracker to carry me through the transition period, as the price makes it a no brainer.
I have used it to send “Ops Normal” message to my aviator buddys, as well as letting my wife know where I am, when I’m flying across the country. I can let them know when I have reached a certain location along the way, and when I departed, enroute updates, and when I have arrived, in either a text message, or and email.
I have found so many uses, (such as changing the message of the “I need help” to “flight delayed - will contact later”) that having it as an emergency notification device, is a bonus!
I have been on 3 trips, and the unit has worked flawlessly. I usually just clip it to my sun visor, (although I’m waiting for the moment when it will come crashing down on my head) but it works just laying on the glare shield (dash), and I home to get velcro or some sort of mount to make it more stable.
I recommend that anyone who flys airplaines seriously consider this unit for tracking, notifying flight progress, and of course, as a survival tool in conjuction with the known emergency equipment already maditory aboard most aircraft.
I bought the SPOT unit after a friend had an unplanned overnight stay in the snow while snowmachine riding in SE Alaska. He had no cell coverage and the SPOT would have allowed him to contact his family to let them know he was not only OK, but where he was located.
I have tested mine numerous times while riding my snowmachine and bought the tracking service which worked about 80% of the time due to tree coverage.
I have been telling anyone who will listen what a great device this is for anyone that ventures off the beaten path here in Alaska. I will use it for boating, hunting, and hiking as well as on my snowmachine. Cell coverage is often unreliable and this is a great way to send a signal to selected folks that I am fine, but will be late and will call when I have cell coverage again.
There is room for improvements in the features, but for the time being it is an awesome tool to carry and a bargain for the cost.
I am outdoors often and I read the review and discussion here before purchasing. There is a long list of FAQs that addresses many details at the web site below.
This has been a great addition just in case something goes wrong. Originally I bought it for personal safety and to trace my own tracks, but it has also provided an unintended benefit for family and friends who can track my progress.
I ordered one from http://www.MyLiveTracks.com/ - got a prompt response to my inquiries, a 50% off coupon for the tracking service. The price of $135 included shipping as well. Highly recommend the unit as well as the vendor!