SPOT locator ???

[Rixster]

Anybody out there have one? how does it work? do you pay a monthly fee to have it active? can you pay only the months you want it active or do you have to do like a cell phone 2 year plan? I think it would be a GREAT thing to have in my back pack but with the rising cost of fuel and everything else I really dont want to be paying for it all summer when I would not be using it.

 

[Wade]

www.findmespot.com

Love it, don't go to the mountains without it.
Pay once a year. $100
Send as many messages as you want.
But, the messages are preprogrammed. So it's not a text message machine, it's a "i'm fine", or "HELP!" type of device. On board GPS tells your friends or rescue were your at.

 

[lightening800]

spot

yes love mine too works great, wont be sledding in the hills without it anymore, a 1 time yearly fee too.

 

[Tempest]

I've had mine for a year now. It's a great tool to check in with on the mountain in any season. I've never had to use the 911 feature, but it's there just in case. I pay a yearly fee. It's well worth the money.

 

[sledhead ut]

I'm kinda pizzed off cuz I've said a lot of good things about it. But mine doesn't track worth a chit. Just got home from a MX Mt. ride and nothing. I carry it in my Camel back with a mesh cover. Sucks Azz for tracking.

 

[Ex-Member]

I don't have one, probably won't. But I carry more radio equipment than most do, can access telephone and emergency services through it.

The one major drawback I have against it is that it's a one-way pager. The `911' thing sends out a page that ther'es a situation at this location. No way of getting information out such as how many are involved, what type of services are needed, emergent/non-emergent response, what type of incident at that location, best access to location, any information that will help responders.

Something to keep in mind.

 

[sledhead ut]

I don't have one, probably won't. But I carry more radio equipment than most do, can access telephone and emergency services through it.

The one major drawback I have against it is that it's a one-way pager. The `911' thing sends out a page that ther'es a situation at this location. No way of getting information out such as how many are involved, what type of services are needed, emergent/non-emergent response, what type of incident at that location, best access to location, any information that will help responders.

Something to keep in mind.

Mule: Do you sleep????????????

 

[black swan]

get a spot

they WORK! enuff said!

if you ride the backcountry, and you want someone to find ya. BUY it!
Use mine daily for the cool google maps, and they work. PERIOD. All over Colorado.

Cant beleive we are still debating this...

They save lives.PERIOD.

 

[HawkShot99]

How good is the reception? My car GPS gets into problems around tall buildings. How well does "Spot" pick up the satalites in the canyons and trees?

 

[snowdrew00]

I'm kinda pizzed off cuz I've said a lot of good things about it. But mine doesn't track worth a chit. Just got home from a MX Mt. ride and nothing. I carry it in my Camel back with a mesh cover. Sucks Azz for tracking.

I think you have to pay more for the tracking feature? I just hit ok when I found a cool spot or sitting on top of the world.

 

[donbrown]

I think with all the stuff it is $149 a year. Tracking , emergency service , and insurance to pay for rescue.

Can buy unit on ebay for $100 new or pay full retail around $145

 

[BroT]

Cant beleive we are still debating this...

They save lives.PERIOD.

I guess we are still debating this because for some of us they don't work as well as for others. Some of us that ride Baker have no problems while others like me can't get messages out and don't get it to track very well.

The thing I really don't like is not knowing whether someone received the message or not. Not sure if I will be paying up again this year or simply buying a better radio and a good gps.

BroT

 

[sledhead ut]

There was a previous SPOT thread and I asked if anybody has actually hit the 911 button. Not one person said yes. How does everyone boast about how great it is if you've never tried the 911 to get a result? So let's hear it. Anybody tried the 911. If so, describe the situation and results.

 

[Ex-Member]

Mule: Do you sleep????????????

No.