SPOT Global Messenger

[adventureduo]

Been playing with mine. Two issues I've discussed with their customer support for the next rev of the back-end software.

1) The track (a fix every ten minutes for 24 hours) feature can only be viewed on the web by somebody logged into your account. So they can also see personal details and play pranks.

2) Single "Check in OK" or "help" messages are emailed to your list, but none of the fixes in a track list are emailed. Not even the first of a series, to alert folks that you have started an expedition.

Many Baja 1000 users have griped already about item #1. Item #2 was my bright idea.

That #1... is a tuffy. Otherwise any yahoo can track your progress and stalk you on a trip lol But yes, I agree i'd like to make it more accessible... .. for now i just made a generic username and log in for 'good friends'.

Did you have problems with the account setup.. automatically changing your city or zip code? Mine changes the minute i hit update.

So far the unit works well. We'll use it over thanksgiving to track out progress. Do you recal how many waypoints they store on the web? I know spotrack stops after 24 hours (just retouch the button again).

 

[MountainBiker]

I've been trying to register mine, but it keeps giving an error, either "credit card number error" or "improper dollar value" depending on which credit card I use.

 

[adventureduo]

Did you check the box that said "no" i dont want whatever on the option payment plans? Mine got hung up on that. You have to tell them either yes or no. You can't just leave it blank.

 

[MountainBiker]

Did you check the box that said "no" i dont want whatever on the option payment plans? Mine got hung up on that. You have to tell them either yes or no. You can't just leave it blank.

Yeah, that got me for a second, then I got past that. I'll try on my home computer, just in case there is something going on with the firewall at work.

 

[TheRoadie]

...stalk you on a trip lol ...

Anybody who can stalk me on a trip will need web access and a worthy vehicle. Oh, I suppose they could wait at the pavement where I'll come out.

Anyway, the SPOT folks were considering a second level of web access, that you could give a password to your friends, but they couldn't mess up your account. Still pretty secure.

I had no issue with activating it at all.

 

[adventureduo]

Anyway, the SPOT folks were considering a second level of web access, that you could give a password to your friends, but they couldn't mess up your account. Still pretty secure.

That would be a good idea.

What i thought it did before i ever bought it was give a link to a google address that showed the waypoints. That would be better.

 

[pygmyowl]

Looks like the Spot Messenger could be a real asset if they work. I noticed where the Globalstar satellite network, at least in part is used to relay the signals, and their service since February sucks! Seems their amplifiers on the 1st generation of satellites have bonked, and the 2nd generation won't be operational until late 2008 if then. I know personally I wouldn't rely on their Sat. phones - if you are in even the slightest depression the reception is very marginal, & with mountains around I was getting at best a 1-3 minute window every hour to get a connect. Maybe the Spot is somehow different, but Globalstar is snake bit.

 

[TheRoadie]

Their response to that worry is:

People are worried about the use of this system due to the degradation of their satellite system. However, there is a difference in the type of data that these satellites are receiving. The Globalstar satellite phones are using the duplex system. This is a separate system than what the SPOT satellite messenger will use. SPOT will use the simplex side of their satellites. The simplex side of this satellite provides service to their simplex transmitters and now to SPOT.

The duplex system is S band, while simplex is L band. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalstar

 

[benedmonson]

Just ordered mine from www.rei.com where they are in stock! Just the ticket for my canyonlands and upcoming baja trips. If it works this is the killer deal for a piece of mind under $250.00.

Ben Edmonson
telluride, co
www.benedmonson.com

 

[adventureduo]

Tracked on the way home from work..

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Great product... is anyone other than REI retailing them? Can't sleep at night comprimising my ethics :shakin:

EDIT: Sorry, I should have looked at their site... you can buy direct ($20 more) or from a handful of other vendors... I'll be picking one up shortly, what a neat product

 

[TheRoadie]

http://www.findmespot.com/buynow/storelocator.aspx?state=UT

 

[adventureduo]

Does anyone know how many waypoints the website will store online? It says it tracks for 24 hour period, then you have to hit the button again.

Like do they erase them after a certain point?

Or can we look back on trips from 6 months ago at our waypoints?

It would be neat to have a record of all our trips..

 

[TheRoadie]

I just called them at (866) 651-7768. The initial CSE said just 24 hours worth was stored. I advised that this would be a truly lame and annoying restriction if true. So she leafed through her binder, and seeing nothing, escalated the question.

The answer is 30 days storage. At 6 an hour times 24 hours times 30 days, it would be interesting to test this limit.

I advised it would cut down on phone calls to have this in their FAQ and on-line documents.

 

[adventureduo]

I just called them at (866) 651-7768. The initial CSE said just 24 hours worth was stored. I advised that this would be a truly lame and annoying restriction if true. So she leafed through her binder, and seeing nothing, escalated the question.

The answer is 30 days storage. At 6 an hour times 24 hours times 30 days, it would be interesting to test this limit.

I advised it would cut down on phone calls to have this in their FAQ and on-line documents.

Thanks for calling Bill, that was nice of you. Yeah, ony 24 hours of storage would be pointless IMHO. I want to see the whole entire route.

We will run the tracking over Thanksgiving holiday for 4 days straight.