Have you considered a SPOT?

speedevil · September 22, 2009, 05:51:13 AM

Given the sad outcome of the Donald Masters search, has anyone that rides solo considered a SPOT? Click here for their website. I have one that gets a fair amount of use on my Goldwing. I'm riding solo from northern IL to Canton, GA on Thursday the 24th and my wife likes to check the tracking page every once in a while during the trip.

We used it on our honeymoon in July, and we had given the URL to a few friends. Let's just say we were followed on our trip. The trip page is here.

Every once in a while, you see a special deal that basically gives you the transmitter when you purchase the service for a year. I don't work for them, but if Mr. Masters had one he would have been found almost immediately.

Something to consider, especially if you ride solo.

UPDATE: Here is a link to my Deal's Gap/Cherahola Skyway/Wayah Road trip from today.

KnightofNi · September 22, 2009, 06:14:02 AM

actually, yes i have considered it.

even with the free sopt unit promo i still couldn't afford it.

somegirl · September 22, 2009, 08:10:15 AM

I have a friend and neighbor who rides, he was heading out on a multi-day dual-sport adventure (with some friends) and sent me his SPOT tracking info.

It stopped updating a few days ago, I found out a couple days later that he had a bad encounter with a pickup on the wrong side of the road in a blind corner.

He is quite injured but I think will heal up ok. I'm sure he was glad to have the SPOT.

Popeye the Sailor · September 22, 2009, 10:12:51 AM

I think I'd like one for me and the wife each-the roads here are such that if you go off of them, it will be a long time if you're found, and they can only be described as treacherous roads in the winter.

Might be time for a pair of dual sports, too.

zarn02 · September 22, 2009, 10:14:19 AM

I thought about getting one before I headed out on my (ill fated) tour, but it seemed pricey.

Guess I'm glad I wrecked where there were people around, or I might have ended up wanting it.

herm · September 22, 2009, 10:31:12 AM

isnt this why all cell phones now have 911 gps tracking?

and so big brother knows what where we are, of course.....

speedevil · September 22, 2009, 11:00:08 AM

Quote from: herm on September 22, 2009, 10:31:12 AM
isnt this why all cell phones now have 911 gps tracking?

and so big brother knows what where we are, of course.....

and when you're on the other side of BFE and there isn't any cell coverage, then what? Aren't the best roads all on the other side of BFE?

mitt · September 22, 2009, 11:51:04 AM

I didn't even know they existed. Cool idea.

The pricing doesn't seem like much of a deal going with 2 years:

mitt

herm · September 22, 2009, 01:02:09 PM

Quote from: speedevil on September 22, 2009, 11:00:08 AM
and when you're on the other side of BFE and there isn't any cell coverage, then what? Aren't the best roads all on the other side of BFE?

good point. I lived in BFE for a number of years
but what does the "SPOT" use to determine your location? if it is a direct satellite link, then you are good (unless you are at the bottom of a deep east west running canyon.)

speedevil · September 22, 2009, 02:47:34 PM

Quote from: herm on September 22, 2009, 01:02:09 PMwhat does the "SPOT" use to determine your location? if it is a direct satellite link, then you are good (unless you are at the bottom of a deep east west running canyon.)

It is direct-to-satellite. If you are at the bottom of a canyon, at least the last position report prior to the canyon will show where you WERE, which is a big help. I would bet a fair amount of money that Mr. Masters had a cell phone and it did not help (sadly).

1KDS · September 22, 2009, 02:53:59 PM

Quote from: speedevil on September 22, 2009, 11:00:08 AM
and when you're on the other side of BFE and there isn't any cell coverage, then what? Aren't the best roads all on the other side of BFE?

You're not being tracked by cell towers, it's gps. The satelites can still see you even if you don't have cell service.

scoprire · September 22, 2009, 03:58:32 PM

I got looking into a spot too. Found a link thru a v-strom list to some reviews on the amazon site. If you are considering one, it's worth reading for the pros/cons

http://www.amazon.com/SPOT-Inc-SPOT-1-Personal-Tracker/product-reviews/B000YTZV74/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Nakedsuperbiker · September 22, 2009, 04:06:55 PM

parents are using these tracking thingies to see if their driving teens are really at their friends house. Kind of takes the fun out of sneaking out for them.

DoubleEagle · September 22, 2009, 05:44:35 PM

I have considered getting one several times since I ride alone and in the forests and backwoods where if you are down in a valley , some places I can't get cell reception.

As of this post I have not yet purchased one .

Dolph

Duc Fever · September 22, 2009, 07:50:54 PM

Quote from: Duke on September 22, 2009, 02:53:59 PM
You're not being tracked by cell towers, it's gps. The satelites can still see you even if you don't have cell service.

Well that is not always the case if you are talking cell phones. There are GPS units called LMU's (Location Measurement Unit) that are actually located on the Cell towers and in order for those to function properly they have to be able to see at least 2 other towers (for triangulation purposes) This common system with cell providers is called TDOA (Time Distance on Arrival) This is where the time it takes for a signal to return from the cellphones "gps" back to the LMU is used to calculate the distance from the tower the user is, the more towers that get a response the more acurate the location information is. Also another thing to realize is that if a gps enabled cell phone has no cell reception then the cell providers cannot locate it anyway because it is off the network.

News:

Have you considered a SPOT?