Never be lost in the Mountains! Check this out!

[2fun4u]

http://www.findmespot.com/

We work in the backcountry here at my job and this is the device that we are going to start carrying in case we get into trouble. I am seriously thinking this is a great idea for snowmobiling too. With this device, the same people who look for down aircraft would be looking and finding you!

Price is more than decent too!

Hm...................

2fun

 

[ItDoAble]

A good thread on the subject ..

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39322&highlight=spot+satellite

 

[numbskull]

that's awesome!

Over the years, we've played with real-time tracking from a GPS connected to a hand-held HAM radio using the APRS technology. Although APRS over radio frequencies is free and anyone can track you on the web without having to access a private account, this looks a lot more compact, convenient and reliable given it hits a satellite rather than a digipeter.

I wonder if the battery life rating holds up in cold weather?!

Pasted from their website:
Power on, unused: Approx. 1 year
SPOTcasting tracking mode: Approx. 14 days
9-1-1 mode: Up to 7 consecutive days
SPOTcheck OK/√: 1900 messages

Thanks for passing along the info!

 

[black swan]

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39322

 

[Speeedracer]

I'm probably asking for the world, but wouldn't it be bad azz cool if there was an avie beacon inside this!??!?!!

 

[Wade]

Only problem is that you probably couldn't use both at the same time, but I don't know of any other reason why it couldn't be done.

 

[Pit Crew]

uh, would you not still be lost? the people looking for you might know where you are, but you would not........right?
Tools like this in the hands of idiots=another nail in the coffin of sledding. Unprepared losers who get a little cold using up valuable S&R resources and attracting bad press.

JMHO

 

[diggerdown]

I've never been lost.....been a bit bewildered for a day or two, but never lost!

 

[Anti-Hero]

I have the old version of that it is called a compass

 

[cobaltpilot]

I had originally been interested in the SPOT but then I read the following article and ended up buying a Search and Rescue registered PLB. Have a read;

http://www.equipped.com/SPOT_ORSummer2007.htm

 

[Polar Express]

I like the concept, but I read through most of that article, and the author brings up some good points.

As technology gets better, I think we'll have several options for such devices in the next couple years. Product prices should drop, and features increase, just like the cell phone market. I'd rather see the subscribers require an active credit card on file, and only bill you if you hit the 'i'm lost' button. Make it a 50 or 100 bucks, but when you hit that button, the thing should start sending info out to everyone. But as Pitt Crew mentioned, it can easily lead morons to think they can go out into the woods w/o proper preparation and knowledge.

The Garmin Rino 500 series transmits at up to 5-watts. Yes, I am well aware you are supposed to have a licence to use the 5-watt power level, but if you are lost or ??? perhaps when they come to give you the ticket, they'll give you a ride home? I'm very well aware that these devices are in different leagues as far as transmit method, and technology, but that rino is a nice step up from just a walkie-talkie or a traditional compass. one of those, a plasticized Topo map and a decent head on your shoulders would be a great first step.

 

[2fun4u]

This is exactly why I posted this - I found it interesting but thought others might have good/better info. That is a really good article cobalt - thanks for posting that!

I work in aviation and we are looking at the PLB vs the SPOT vs whatever else is out there.

Wouldn't it be great to have a PLB, GPS, radio, avalanche beacon? All in one - of course, it would weight more than the truck!

2fun

 

[buck50]

http://www.findmespot.com/

We work in the backcountry here at my job and this is the device that we are going to start carrying in case we get into trouble. I am seriously thinking this is a great idea for snowmobiling too. With this device, the same people who look for down aircraft would be looking and finding you!

Price is more than decent too!

Hm...................

2fun

very interesting idea, my only conern is having the same people looking for you as look for downed aircraft. is it just me, or does it seem like those people NEVER find the downed aircraft!

 

[Pit Crew]

they found one recently in golden and saved a 5 yo little girl, she'd been hanging upside down for 15 hours or such......all adults dead.

 

[Garyhamp]

GPS Cell Phone

There is a cell phone with GPS that sends the location of the phone. Phone costs $50 plus $6/mo. Solves the problem of telling someone where you are so they can send someone to get you.

http://www.accutracking.com/

 

[Captainkip]

Ya they rescued that little girl but they were not even looking for that plane and they never did find the one they were looking for in the first place.

I think something like this goes beyond the lost issues and is an indispensible tool for a group that has somone with a broken leg, or other injury and is in need of assistance.

Just hope the users can be smart enough to know when a situation is really critical to use the equipment properly.

 

[Pit Crew]

Golden S&R and the Army (not sure why they were here?) were looking for the specific plane with the little girl in it, Harper was in town a few days later and awarded two rescuers medals..............there was another plane missing at the same time, I believe it had flown out of Caslegar? (not sure however).

 

[troyby]

I like the concept, but I read through most of that article, and the author brings up some good points.

As technology gets better, I think we'll have several options for such devices in the next couple years. Product prices should drop, and features increase, just like the cell phone market. I'd rather see the subscribers require an active credit card on file, and only bill you if you hit the 'i'm lost' button. Make it a 50 or 100 bucks, but when you hit that button, the thing should start sending info out to everyone. But as Pitt Crew mentioned, it can easily lead morons to think they can go out into the woods w/o proper preparation and knowledge.

The Garmin Rino 500 series transmits at up to 5-watts. Yes, I am well aware you are supposed to have a licence to use the 5-watt power level, but if you are lost or ??? perhaps when they come to give you the ticket, they'll give you a ride home? I'm very well aware that these devices are in different leagues as far as transmit method, and technology, but that rino is a nice step up from just a walkie-talkie or a traditional compass. one of those, a plasticized Topo map and a decent head on your shoulders would be a great first step.

with the rino's you can down load the topo map, it has an electronic compass, very good 2-way radio with many channels, and if your friends have one you can find them on the map too. I have the 530 and I bought my friend a 120 for x-mas