SPOT Satelite Personal Tracker

[ICEMAN]

Many times I will solo hunt or scout for a few days, with no way to contact the wife and let her know I am not dead...or injured....etc..... I have looked at the SPOT satelite tracker device we have all seen in the hunting mags, and on display at our toy stores....

Wife decided I needed one so bad she wrapped one up for the B-day last week.

So, for the uninformed, here is the deal with the device.

Size of a small camera or GPS device, a bit heavy for it's size. Runs on  (2) AA Lithium batteries. Relatively simple concept. The device utilizes GPS satelites, separate communication satelites, ground based antennas, land based computer system and communications systems. When turned on, the device is a gps tracking device, it tracks where you are, or were last at, and saves the location so that if you get hurt, or lost, or whatever, you can push one of three buttons on the device and send a message to loved ones, or initiate a rescue. 

In theory, the device works where cell phones dont. This is the selling point.

After the initial purchase of $125 to $150, you then spend another $100 on a yearly maintenance/contract. When setting up your account, you have the ability to customize any of the three messages which you may use with the device.

Message 1, push this button (the OK/all is well button) and a message travels from you, thru a communication satelite, to the ground, thru SPOT's corporate computer system, to your wifes phone and email addresses you have previsouly picked. Your message can read ..."All is OK, just checking in...stop worrying...) plus they receive a link to a google map which shows exactly where your OK message originated from.

Message 2, push this button (the HELP button) and a "I need help, not an emergency, the truck broke down type message...)  This message is to request your family or friends come to your location, but not a life or death type emergency, plus the google map of where you are broken down.... (I really could have used this when my truck puked an axle up in Matheny a few years back, and no cell coverage, took two days to get message home to come save me...)

Message 3, push this button ( the 911 button) and a emergency personnel (county 911 ) contact is made. SPOT also contacts your home/family emergency contacts in an attempt to coordinate and gather as much additional information needed in this emergency.

Options, you can add a bit to your yearly bill, to guarantee additional rescue resources including chopper rescue...  I decided not for this service...

Options, you can add a bit to your yearly bill, to track and save your route automatically....  I decided not for this additional feature....

So, I have tried the device on the hood of my truck in Lacey, and all worked as planned. I will be testing the device whenever I get into some steep ass canyon.... I will let you all know how it works.....

$100 peace of mind plan for the wife......I can live with this.....  (besides, you never know.....may need the (wussy) 911 button some day.....

If you solo a lot, you may consider this device.....

[Machias]

I snowmobile into lion country alot in the winter and most of the time I am by myself.  I also ride my mule into the back country alot by myself.  I have seriously been considering getting this.  Thanks for the tutorial and please keep us posted.

[rainshadow1]

I really, REALLY liked the idea when it came out. I wish it could have more like 5 buttons that you could customize messages. "911 Send Professional Help", "(Send Someone we know to) Help", and "I'm Ok" are all good,  and necessary, but how about "I'm staying out another day, all is well" or, "I got one! Might be late getting home" and etc. ?

Even as is it's an excellent tool. I might just get one. We'll see.

Thanks for the overview Iceman!

[ICEMAN]

It's so she can make sure you're actually hunting......

She knows I am hunting. I smell like a dumpster when I get home... 

Rainshadow, I know what you mean, I am working on a plan where consecutive messages will mean different things.....IE: three OK's = moving to plan 2.....

[rainshadow1]

I'll be anxious to hear how reliable it is in the back country. If the service is reliable, then you could do that, sequences of ok's, etc.

[cohoho]

Good information, been thinking of getting one, but have been hesitant as to how effective they work.

[ICEMAN]

Mike, I have been playing with mine in town, works as advertised so far. Wont have a better report till the rifle deer opener..... No chance to hit the woods till then...

[archery288]

Things work awesome!  Used one up in Quebec on the caribou hunt. 

[ICEMAN]

Open terrain?

[archery288]

Yeah it was on the tundra!    But none the less, I was over 3000 miles away from home!

[ICEMAN]

Very cool. Gotta love this technology......

Cant wait to try it in a few hell holes I know... 

[Skyvalhunter]

Ice keep us informed as to how it works for you. My hiking friend bought one a month ago and used it on one of our hikes, but he is still ironing out the bugs. Like the sending of e-mail and Google maps link

[ICEMAN]

Will do.

[rainshadow1]

I know satillite reception is pretty reliable, but I'm wondering about lag time... ie. Send an "OK" at 3:30, it's communicated to the wife at 9:45... etc. ?

[Mama Bear]

Have you heard from someone that it does that Rainshadow1, or were you just thinking of possible problems?  I'm interested in hearing anyone's experiences.