Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board G.P.S. rescue information

Hi Alan, I've read the negative reports as well. Admitedly, we were in ideal conditions: desert terrain, good weather, and Cori has hers attached to the outside of her pack which may help. The unit has an indicator that shows when/if the message has been sent. If you were to put the unit in your pack (or move to a covered location) before that happened, you would get a result like the guy above (no message sent).

I have another friend who bought one and had problems using it on an Independence Peak hike, but he has since determined that it was "operator error".

I'm not planning on buying one anytime soon, or recommending that anyone else does, but rather just sharing my experiences so far with the unit. It could be a nice adjunct if it can be shown to work reliably.

Dave

There is a misprint in the article.

When activated, the $170 SPOT Satellite Messenger from SPOT Inc., the Milpitas, Calif., unit of Globalstar Inc., emits a signal to GPS satellites, which notify SPOT's messaging service. The service then sends a message to friends, family or emergency rescue teams about your current status. Because it uses GPS technology, the SPOT will work even when you're far from cellphone signal range and anywhere in the world.

SPOT doesn't send a signal to a GPS satellite, its signal goes through a commercial satellite network. Although GPS satellites are capable of receiving a signal, it must be through the "ground control" segment of the system. Another words, only the operators of the system send command and control signals to GPS satellites.

Does anyone happen to know what "commercial satellite network" SPOT signals are sent to? It would be interesting to know if it's an earth orbiting satellite network or a stationary one.


hiiker

Globalstar.

I got a spot and it works OK. It does what they say, but I have a couple of complaints.

1. There is no confirmation your message was sent.
2. The indicator lights can be pretty confusing. You need to memorize what the blinking lights mean.
3. The gps section is pretty weak. You need to have a clear view of the sky to use it and when you use it they recommend that you turn it on and leave still it for at least 30 minutes to assure your message was sent. Needs a SIRF GPS chip set.
4. Kinda bulky and heavy.

Otherwise, it works OK. My wife gets the location emails and she feels good. The battery life is excellent.

I wish this functionality would be in smaller package and integrated into a single package with functions, like GPS navigation, radio? Maybe in the next generation.

I think it should be remembered that no system is perfect. No, you can't get a good fix on a satellite when you're under a rock ledge or heavy tree cover. And even if the signal reports you a little further from where you actually are, this will still be a good "reasonably" close location given to rescuers.
Jerry

Slightly off topic, but I just got a Gamin Colorado and the GPS receiver is fantastic. I can get reception under thick cover or under a rock ledge. I can even get reception in a safeway store and log my track around the store.

Phenomenal reception in the Colorado because the SIRF GPS chip set is very sensitive. The one in the Spot is average at best and makes me think the engineers cut a few bucks off the cost of components by going with a less sensitive receiver.

The Spot still works nicely when used as directed, which means you have to stay in one spot for at least 20 minutes. I'll be using it this week again on Shasta so my wife knows I'm OK. The cost of the unit is way below what you would pay for a PLB so it represents a phenomenal value and I would recommend it. We will see how it works n AK this summer when we are backpacking in the Brooks range. Coverage there is not 100%, but I think it may work.