Personal Satellite Tracker/locater/messenger

[Morph]

I found this on Avcom

Another variation on the PLB? (seen on Marv Golden's website: $150).



Spotâ„¢ uses dual satellite networks to receive your location (like a traditional GPS device) and also to transmit your location (along with pre-programmed messages) to the recipients of your choice!

Product Features:

* SPOT is the world’s first satellite messenger. SPOT sends your exact GPS coordinates and selected messages over commercial satellites to tell others of your location and status.
* SPOT works around the world, independently of cellular networks.
* SPOT features four key functions that enable users to send messages to friends, family or emergency responders, based upon varying levels of need:

o Alert 9-1-1 – Dispatch emergency responders to your exact location
o Ask for Help – Request help from friends and family in your exact location
o Check In – Let contacts know where you are and that you’re OK
o Track Progress – Send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress using Google Maps™

* SPOT uses the GPS satellite system to determine a user’s location and the SPOT satellite network to transmit that location and the user’s status.
* The SPOT satellite network is a commercial satellite network with a proven 99.4% reliability rate while processing over 6 million messages a month – the equivalent of 2.3 messages per second.
* This unit is limited to the Hardware only. This unit MUST be registered at SPOT with a subscription service in order for this product to function.

Subscription Services

*

Basic Service (Purchased through SPOT)
$99.99 annual OR $9.99 monthly subscription charge (available only through SPOT)

o

ALERT 911: Dispatch emergency responders to your exact location.

o

CHECK-IN: Let contacts know where you are and that you’re okay.

o

ASK FOR HELP: Request help from friends and family at your exact location.

*

Additional Services (Purchased through SPOT)

o

TRACK PROGRESS: $49.99/yr Tracking Upgrade Option (available only through SPOT)
Send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress using Google Mapsâ„¢.

o

GEOS Search & Rescue Benefit: $7.95/yr
(only if purchased through SPOT at initial activation. Otherwise, $150.00 afterwards)

GEOS provides up to $100,000 of additional search and rescue resources,
including helicopter extraction, around the world and reimbursement benefits –
underwritten by Lloyd’s of London – for any emergency service expenses incurred.

Product Specifications

* Satellite coverage works around the world, independently of cellular systems, with outstanding reliability.
* 7.37 ounces
* More affordable and more functional than Personal Locator Beacons (PLB), cellular-based GPS trackers, and comparable handheld devices.
* Service Fee: $99.99 USD annual OR $9.99 USD monthly subscription charge (available only through SPOT). Optional features include automatic tracking service (SPOTcasting) and guaranteed extraction service for countries or regions with non-responsive emergency services.

Coverage

* SPOT works around the world, including virtually all of North America, Europe and Australia, portions of South America, Northern Africa and Northeastern Asia, and hundreds or thousands of miles offshore of these areas.

Battery Life

* Includes 2 AA lithium batteries; under normal usage a full battery charge should meet or exceed the following:

o Power on, unused: Approx. 1 year
o SPOTcasting tracking mode: Approx. 14 days
o 9-1-1 mode: Up to 7 consecutive days
o SPOTcheck OK/√: 1900 messages

Operating Conditions

* SPOT works around the world virtually anywhere
* Operating Temperatures: -40°F to +185°F
* Operating Altitude: -300 feet to +21,000 feet
* Floats in water
* Waterproof to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
* Humidity Rated: MIL-STD-810E Method 507.3, 95% to 100% condensing
* Salt Fog Rated: Per MIL_STD 810E Method 509.3, 5% NaCl, 95% distilled water
* Vibration: Per SAE J1455, Random, 20 Hz to 2000 Hz, 0.04g2/Hz, one hour per axis
* Drop: Dropped twice on all six sides from one meter onto hard surface.

Certifications

* OSHA certified Intrinsically Safe to Class 1, Division 1, Group A-D standards.
* ROHS and WEEE compliant.
* Certified to FCC and CE emissions, immunity and safety regulations.
* Meets FCC part 25 regulations, Canada type approval, CISPR Publication 22 (1985 1st Edition), RTTE Directive (1999/EC), IEC 60950 safety standard, and European EMC Directive 89/336/EEC.[/img]

[Miskiet]

This looks a lot better than the cellular dependant systems - For the price I think it is a very good safety device.

[Petrodactyl]

I see that the coverage does not mention Southern Africa. Does it, or will it soon?

From every point of view carrying one of these should almost become mandatory for any adventurer. If Steve Fossett had one on him........

Just being part of the S & R effort for Neil Carlitz made me aware of just how easily anyone who flies can disappear, and how much money, time and effort can get expended on S & R. Any South African agent yet?

Chris

[FO Gyro]

Looks like Spot doesn't work in SA. Pity.

[Arnulf]

Looks like Spot doesn't work in SA. Pity.

What a pity. It sounded too good to be true. I nearly got exited .

[FO Gyro]

Have emailed them to ask them about coverage in SA.