Anybody using the SPOT?

Bait O' Eggs · 10-30-2008, 12:17 PM

I have yet to play with the SPOT, but my hunting buddy recently got one, since he has been doing some alone hunting and wanting to let the wife know he is safe and sound periodically through out the hunt.

We are trying to maximize its use by being able to send more than the "here I am", or "come rescue me" message it is designed to send. My hunting buddy will be flying into some remote country with no way to get a message out other than the SPOT (no phone service). I know it has the come rescue me button,

and the "here I am" or what ever they call it button where your predetermined email list gets your GPS coordinates.

We have worked up the following simple code so he can get some additional info out to us.

1 spot = here I am...wish you were here

2 spots within 1/2 hr. at same place on the hill = pics have been taken and now I'm gettin dirty. 3-5 spots from same place on the hill...It's big and I'm caping it!

3 spots from the landing strip = Roy will call airport and let them know I want out earlier than the planned return flight.

Not sure what else we might want to send other than its big, have some more beer flown in.

Anybody else using one of these devices, and have figured out how to make it do more than the obvious?

croation2 · 10-30-2008, 12:22 PM

have some more beer flown in.

I think ya got it covered

jmarkantes · 10-30-2008, 12:27 PM

I've thought about the same thing. The challenge is that when you press the "OK" button, it transmits for a 10 minute cycle. You would have to keep an eye on it and press it again every ten minutes to send out multiple messages. Not a big deal, just need to be on it for 20 or 30 minutes.

Another thought would be to make the "Help" message the "Help Pack Out" or "Help Pick Up Early" message. Sending two within half an hour could mean to hurry it up, really do need help (but not an emergency).

Pretty cool device overall.

Jason

ehunter · 10-30-2008, 12:54 PM

Oregonmuley uses one as well not sure what he does?

Linejerk · 10-30-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by croation2

have some more beer flown in.

I think ya got it covered

fishbuilder · 10-30-2008, 02:35 PM

I really like the new webpage to make my broadcasts more public. Now I send messages to buddies, and loved ones. I hit the OK button at camp once a night to let everyone know I am still alive. If I hit the help button twice, it means its time to sharpen the knives, bring the packs and headlamps. The new webpage feature allows more people to "enjoy" where I am at and they can now look at a map. I also use the tracking to look over the trip afterword, and compare it to my gps, as I typically do not have my tracking set.

Snug 2 · 10-30-2008, 02:38 PM

I bought one for my solo caribou hunt in Alaska. I was less than happy with the results. I purchased the full meal deal including "follow me". Since I was in the bush I did not know if it was working correctly or not. Each morning I would turn it on and let it warm up so to speak. I would push the check in button and it would blink. I would wait a while and hold that button down until it was solid, and then blinking only every 10 minutes. I thought all was well till I got to a phone and realized all that my wife was getting was the morning check in. I even had the SPOT handbook with me (and read it damn near every morning).

When i got back to Portland I called SPOT to ask about the error. They said I must not have had a clear signal. She asked if it was in my pack? No, it was attached to the top. She asked if I was in heavy forest cover? No, I was on the tundra. She asked about batteries (new), my service (as if se couldn't see what I purchased on her computer).

So, needless to say, I am unhappy with the results so far. I will try it again while elk hunting next week. If I can't get the "follow me" setting to work, I won't renew it. Being able to "check in" and having the help button adds some measure of comfort which is good.

On a 1-10 scale, I will give it a 6.

Chug · 10-30-2008, 02:51 PM

The signal is bounced up to the Global star Network. It's aging. lucky it still works.

oregonmuley · 10-30-2008, 03:02 PM

I have one - so far all I have done is play with it when I'm out and about. So far it always makes the connection and sends the email and shows on Google the spot it was sent from. No expert though.

The Duck · 10-30-2008, 07:20 PM

I won one. I wonder though with the many places I go that I can't get a GPS to work (deep timber) is it worth the cost of subscribing?

dla · 10-30-2008, 08:07 PM

The following kml file will give you an idea of SPOT capability. This was a 1st time trip into unnamed lakes in Idaho.

https://sites.google.com/site/hobbyh...er-information

The unit was mounted on top of my pack and placed in "track" mode. The terrain, as you can see from Google Earth, is a mix forest and bare rock. You'll one track point that shows me standing about 50ft out in the water - I've had that happen next to another lake too and I've no idea why.

SPOT lets me "broadcast" my adventures to my loved ones. However the default for SPOT shared webpages is Google Maps, not Google Earth. I have to manually dump track/ok points to a kml file for folks to use GE.

What I do is set up a "where's Dad" shared page and give the url out to the extended family. When I go on a trip, they see where I'm at. SPOT gives me a little more freedom in that I can change my mind and know that my new location isn't a mystery - important if something bad happens.

beardbuster · 10-31-2008, 05:52 AM

I got mine set up and used it during a banzai trip for elk in the John Day. I'd set it out and press the button and a message was sent instantly. It's a clever device

Arrowslinger · 10-31-2008, 06:05 AM

Here's a place you can rent them: http://www.trackme360.com/

Rusty · 10-31-2008, 06:22 AM

I just read the comments on the Spot Locsator unit with great interest. There seems to be "mixed bag" of comments on likes and dislikes. This is about par for the course on most topics; some like an idea, some don't. My take on Spot follows:

I purchased the unit about a year ago and have used it quite a few times. It took me a trip or two to get familiar with the quirks, but once my learning curve came up to speed, I became most pleased with the product. Granted, you must have a clear view of the sky, but beyond that, it worked as advertised. I did not opt for the tracking mode, but the "Check-In mode" works well, and hopefully the "Help" and 911 modes will serve me as well if needed. All in all, I feel much better having the unit with me as I hunt alone 99% of the time.

Rusty

OB1 · 10-31-2008, 12:34 PM

Roy,

It may have already been mentioned but with the spot there is a subscription service that you have to buy, can't remember what the cost is.

RU1234 · 10-31-2008, 05:14 PM

Be careful if you rent one. I rented one from a business (that will go unnamed at this point) for a recent hunt. When I returned it, the person behind the counter started asking me if I was hunting on a ridgetop near a certain town. It was then that I realized that everytime I sent an "ok" signal to my wife, the person at the rental company was also getting same signal. Now he knows my hunting spot and probably many others of those who have also rented a SPOT.

Gus Orviston · 10-31-2008, 09:54 PM

be careful of doing the daily .. I am ok... bc if it fail to work one day your family will start getting worried over dead batteries or something silly.

sounds cool though.. gus

dla · 11-01-2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gus Orviston

be careful of doing the daily .. I am ok... bc if it fail to work one day your family will start getting worried over dead batteries or something silly.

sounds cool though.. gus

I've had mine since Father's day this year. It has been "on" for over 40 hours, in "track" mode. I don't know how many messages that is, but it is a lot. I'm still on the same set of batteries. My point is that it is highly unlikely that your batteries will go dead.

Also, it is important to understand the usage model of SPOT. Unlike an EPLB, which you only activate in an emergency, SPOT should be used to give many updates. Why? So you leave electronic footprints that Search And Rescue can follow. Whether you buy and use "track" mode, or just send periodic "OK" messages, you should get in the mindset of "more is better". No need to "conserve" messages.

If you don't want anyone to know where you're at, but still want a lifeline in case of an emergency, buy an EPLB. If you want to give your loved-ones peace of mind and still have a lifeline, buy a SPOT.