SPOT Personal Satellite Tracker?

Usagi,

Seldom do I actually laugh aloud.  I am more of a quiet polite fireside humorist.  But you got me off guard with that picture, and the trees rang with my maniacal sounding laughter.

Thank you.   -Matt

Seldom do I actually laugh aloud.  I am more of a quiet polite fireside humorist.  But you got me off guard with that picture, and the trees rang with my maniacal sounding laughter.

Thank you.   -Matt

   My pleasure!

I think that something like this does provide some distinct advantages over mere reliance on VHF or cell phones or human ingenuity.  There are even some benefits over an EPIRB.

We all know that there are significant dead zones when using cell phones, and the more remote you are, the slimmer the chance that you will be able to get a call out.  The same is true for FRS and GMRS signals.  The advantage of SPOT is that it relies on finding a clear window to the sky to function.  The other technologies are much more dependent on the features of the terrain and distance to the nearest receiver (assuming someone is listening on the other end).  We have all fished areas where our cell phones didn't connect but our GPS units did fine.

Cell phones are also particularly susceptible to moisture malfunction.  I once was using my cell phone only after I'd returned to the car to let my wife know my ETA.  I put it back in the pocket of my dry suit instead of its Pelican case) since I was driving home.  The pocket is well drained, but the Cordura outer fabric, which was just damp to the touch was still wet enough to kill the phone.  (The phone tech confidently declared this has been exposed to moisture--see the little white dot has turned pink!)  Imagine trying to use a cell phone well, keeping it dry, while bobbing in rough seas.

In addition to problems with moisture and coverage the SPOT has advantages for use in other, non-kayaking venues.  Many of us are campers, hikers, hunters or like to fish in remote areas.  It is not too hard to imagine that someone could slip on a slimy rock or down a steep incline and fracture a tibia or even a femur (large leg bone).  I can tell you, with the latter injury, you aren't going to be able to hike out very far no matter how good a shape you are in.  Or you could sustain a debilitating head injury.  Under these circumstances, it would be a lot easier to crawl to the nearest clear patch of sky than to the next hill top to beckon for help. In the warmer whether you might survive long enough for a search party to find you in time, assuming they knew roughly where to look.  But in this time of the year your rescue time will be brief.  You might even have cold gear with you, but accidents, by their very nature are unexpected, and they may be of no use to you five miles back in your car or tent.

Many of us often drive through remote areas where even vehicular malfunction could present a threat.  A car accident, unexpected heavy snow or rain (as recently in WA/OR) all heighten the risk. A cell phone or VHF would never have helped that young father who died in the snow recently while trying desperately to get help for his family, or that climber who had to hack off his arm to reach safety.  While no technology is perfect, I bet both of these individuals would have had a better than 50% chance of being rescued with SPOT, and 50% is a lot better than just yelling for help.

While I’m sure SPOT doesn’t come up to the same rigorous safety standards as a Coastguard approved EPIRB, it does offer some distinct advantages over it.  It uses user installed lithium batteries, so you can carry backups with you and replace them if needed.  I allows you to communicate something less extreme than 911 messages.  You can test the units function yourself before leaving on your trip, and even before you leave shore (if your friend or family member is in cell contact and can check a computer). (I think EPIRBs have a selt test, but not a true operational test since you can be fined for non-distressed activation.) You can communicate tracking points and “I’m OK” messages as well, all things you can’t do with an EPIRB.  On a multi-day trip where you are out of phone contact, you can still let your wife know your OK on a pre-arranged schedule, say twice a day.  If they stop coming she'll be on the alert.  Without that, she'd not even be concerned until after the last planned day of the trip when you don't show up or call.

I have had to tell family that a loved one has died.  It’s a grim task. One you’d like to avoid whenever possible.  If you, unfortunately, died in a recreational accident, I wonder if your wife or kids would think something like SPOT would be a dumb idea?

Overkill? Maybe. But for those of us trained in professions involving rescue or risk to life, we all know that lethal accidents and injuries are inevitable.  But anything that improves your statistical survival, at a reasonable cost, is welcomed. 

Marmite, you make some very good points for using SPOT.   Thanks,  -Matt

Good points Marmite but I don't think the additional, minor in my mind, benefits of a SPOT over an EPIRB justify the cost. Also throwing all your eggs into one device, especially one from a company with a rocky history, does not sit well with me. If SPOT was $100 maybe even $200 it would be a no brainer but the cost over time is a real downer.

No the BASK review, he got 70% coverage in wide open available sky, this is disturbing to say the least and not much better than the cell phone coverage I have seen at most of the places I frequent.

I pay close attention to cell coverage because I don't need to get backup coverage for my practice if there is reliable cell service. With Verizon, I can't even get cell coverage at Del Valle except spotty reception down by the dam. Couldn't get it at Bean either.

I had asked about the feasibilty of using EPIRBs in the past and got no responses.  I'm curious to know how many people are actually using them already?

I will admit I am not using one right now, but it will be my next purchase. For me the WPIRB is the ultimate "oh crap" device. You hope you never need one but when you do it is the best tool for the job.

Lower initial costs count for something - a SPOT in the hand is worth more than the EPIRB left on the store shelf. BTW, EPRIBs are available for rent (at Boat US among other places IIRC).

From a WAF standpoint, SPOT's check-in ability might be worth the cost.

I have a test unit to play with. It's a substantial-feeling little brick that's about 50% larger and heavier than my flip phone. The 911 button seems way too exposed. It's recessed but probably needs a cover. The SPOT will need its own pocket to prevent false emergency calls.

The sides are rubber-armored but not the top and bottom. The waterproof seal looks pretty much the standard for handheld electronics. There's no open path (ie gps card slot) for water to reach the internals. Short of drop testing it, there's no way test its durability. Hopefully it would survive a surf zone crash or worse, a vehicle collision.   

I need to activate this thing. I'll report my observations in a few weeks.

I can live with a VHF and GPS while on the water at present. I consider SPOT tracking to be un-needed, perhaps even un-wanted  

When a $300-$350 purchase will result in a small, rugged device that I can use for 5 years or more, then I'll consider something like the SPOT or EPIRB. Otherwise, I'll do as I planned for the Kisaralik float trip - carry a dedicated GPS, and rent a Satellite phone for the duration of the trip...

Regards,
Scott