Neat new toy....

Walker · Post by **Walker** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:15 pm

http://www.findmespot.com/

Just had someone post this on a 4x4 forum I frequent... not a bad little idea hey!

the unit is $160 and its billed as an annual subscription @ $100/year nice cheep portable peace of mind to supplement the 406ELT

Walker · Post by **Walker** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:18 am

and apperentally no one else here thinks this is a clever idea.... well fine then! ill just order one all by my self!

tdawe · Post by **tdawe** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:18 pm

a little clicking around and you learn SPOT is a subsidiary of GlobalStar. Dunno if anyone else has had the "joy" of using a GlobalStar phone, but we couldnt get a signal 70 K west of lillooet BC, standing in an open field.

Website claims this uses a different system though, and it is a pretty good idea, especially given the massive amount of man hours spend looking for adventurers who just dont seem to get that just cause they want a thrill doesnt justify haveing SAR and search crews risk life and limb to go find there stupid A$$.

Rudy · Post by **Rudy** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 5:27 pm

I've been looking for a cheap emergency use only sat phone for some time and this seems to fit the bill. It'd be good for flying but also I ride my snowmobile and dirtbike by myself (like an idiot) in very remote locations. Even a small injury could prove life threatening if I can't walk out. Has anyone seen this reviewed anywhere?

Walker · Post by **Walker** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:05 pm

They JUST started shipping at the beginning of the month... but I just ordered on so once it shows up ill go get myself lost and see how well it works...

PS youl have to get a US mailing addy they dont ship to Canada yet

light chop · Post by **light chop** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:53 pm

Its listed on the RadioWorld website in Toronto:

http://radioworld.ca/index.php?cPath=4_235&filter_id=49

looks like it'll ship 3rd week in November...

Invertago · Post by **Invertago** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:12 pm

Its on my wish list... I think it should be standard equipment on any flight, life saver, peace of mind for significant other when your late from a flight... SAR could probably buy every pilot in Canada one and they would come out ahead in SAR mission costs... they flew over 500 hours searching for the missing guy headed to Qualicum before they called off the search. Great invention, I'd like to read some reviews when they are available.

Swamp Donkey · Post by **Swamp Donkey** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:28 am

tdawe wrote:a little clicking around and you learn SPOT is a subsidiary of GlobalStar. Dunno if anyone else has had the "joy" of using a GlobalStar phone, but we couldnt get a signal 70 K west of lillooet BC, standing in an open field.

Website claims this uses a different system though, and it is a pretty good idea, especially given the massive amount of man hours spend looking for adventurers who just dont seem to get that just cause they want a thrill doesnt justify haveing SAR and search crews risk life and limb to go find there stupid A$$.

Hope it doesn't use the Globalstar communication sats! Looks like it doesn't even have an external antenna which is also a negative. Do they provide a coverage map?

There may be a reason it only sold in the US, in particular the coverage...

If it is Globalstar, you will have a problem anywhere North of Kamloops, especially in the Northern Mountains of BC.

If it's on the Iridium network.....you'll be OK!

Worst time to find out about coverage is when you really need it!

D5GRVTY · Post by **D5GRVTY** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:55 am

Interesting, I've been considering a Personal Locater Beacon (406) for my own personal outdoor adventures.

As it stands I'm not sure that I would trust my life with SPOT quite yet

Here is an early review:

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

It does use the Globestar sat network, and there is mention of the horrible sat phone coverage in the article, but the company claims that simplex (send only) communication is much better.

SPOT cautioned that they are still testing to see what the actual coverage limits for SPOT will be, which they say may be somewhat different than shown. If you are considering using SPOT in areas on this map not shown as covered, or only marginally, you probably want to wait until SPOT publishes their own coverage map.

It seems that the more expensive 406 PLB's are a far better bet, spend the extra money, might be worth it.

Holy Magenta · Post by **Holy Magenta** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 9:57 pm

Looks cool. I bet that 100$ a year is far less than the mtc costs and installation of an ELT that is a lot less likely to work. This is where aviation should be headed if its not already. Bet it will be a lot more expensive to get them when they are "aviation approved."

Walker · Post by **Walker** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:50 am

this is what they claim the coverage area is for the simplex transmitter...

mikegtzg · Post by **mikegtzg** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:31 pm

Well I just ordered one. And when it finally arrives will test it completely in Southern MB and NW Ont.
If it stops the frantic phone calls when I'm 2 hours late returning from a fishing trip with a young nephew. It's worth the price and aggravation saved.
I like the fact that it can be used for all back country activities. And being able to send a simple 'okay'. Is a great way to say I've arrived safely.
Will report back on this thread on my success using it.

goldeneagle · Post by **goldeneagle** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:43 pm

mikegtzg wrote:Well I just ordered one. And when it finally arrives will test it completely in Southern MB and NW Ont.
If it stops the frantic phone calls when I'm 2 hours late returning from a fishing trip with a young nephew. It's worth the price and aggravation saved.
I like the fact that it can be used for all back country activities. And being able to send a simple 'okay'. Is a great way to say I've arrived safely.
Will report back on this thread on my success using it.

It'll work great in those areas. When you get north of about 54N, or in the mountains, that's where the globalstar coverage gets to be a problem.

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:45 pm

Globalstar has coverage??? WHERE???

Who knew? I carry one everyday, piece of junk, hope I never have to use in distress. We're switching to Iridium soon.

stl

Neat new toy....

Neat new toy....

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