Spot 1 tracker

[Nick JacksonMember]

I have just bought a Spot 1 tracker from Adventure Moto for $269 as a bit of extra security for the Cameron Corner 2010 ride.
I have yet to recieve it but below are all the details from the Adventure Moto site.
It will be getting a good test on this ride and I’m hopeing we can get the tracker registered and going before we leave and I am going to see if STM can track us and give updates.

We’ll let you know how it goes!!

With the SPOT Satellite Messenger, you and your loved ones have peace of mind knowing help is always within reach. SPOT is the only device of its kind, using the GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, and then sending its location – with a link to Google Maps – and a pre-programmed message via a commercial satellite network. And unlike Personal Locator Beacons, SPOT does more than just call for help. Tracking your progress, checking in with loved ones, and non-emergency assistance are also available, all at the push of a button. And because it uses 100% satellite technology, SPOT works around the world – even where cell phones don’t. SPOT gets you tracking and help in even more places! New coverage map is now available. Spot gives you a vital line of communication from just about anywhere in the world. Spot determines your exact location via the GPS constellation. Using the GEOS communication satellite, SPOT sends pre-programmed messages and your location to nominated email addresses and mobile phones. These messages can then be opened in Google Earth with a marker at your current location. In a real emergency, 000 services will be dispatched to your location via the Australian Search and Rescue regional Communication Centre

[ChrisMember]

When you going to give us the website addy for loved ones too track us… Pretty please..

[Nick JacksonMember]

Krusty wrote:

Quote:

When you going to give us the website addy for loved ones too track us… Pretty please..

If all works out I can give every rider the details on Saturday once it’s registered, I know it’s cutting it fine but will do my best.

[GregMember]

The spot tracker just arrived at my house so I will get it set up for Nick. It was sent here being faster mail and safer bet after Nicks freight dramas last month

TB

[Nick JacksonMember]

If any old bulls are planning a few days ride and would like to use the spot tracker let me know and your more than welcome to borrow it.
It seemed to be a success when we used it on the Cameron ride and it’s a great way for other old bulls to follow your progress.
All I ask is if you break it you replace it. ( but to be honest it’s very robust and if it’s left in the netting of your backpack it will still track and stay quite safe)

just give me a couple of weeks notice as the post service from northern nsw is a bit unpredictable !!

[Nick JacksonMember]

After what happened to lotsa over the weekend I thought I’d better get to know the spot tracker a bit better.
We used it on the Cameron ride in October and it proved to be a very capable route tracker with a lot of old bulls and family following our progress ( or pub crawl !!!).
At the end of each day we would press the OK button to send a preset text message to nominated mobile numbers to let loved ones know we were safe. These messages where never recieved. I also had mobile numbers set which would also recieve a text if the HELP button was pressed , thankfully this function was never needed.

I reset the Spot with my number and TBs and sent an OK message. Nothing was recieved.
I then thought that maybe the international code was needed to get the message through so I added +61 and removed the 0 from the mobile numbers and pressed OK again.
We both got a message confirming my longitude and latitude and a text that I had entered , perfect.

I also changed the HELP numbers and added a web link to the help text that would be sent.

When I went to work today I started the tracker to plot my movements and it worked perfectly, I pressed OK but no message came through. I realized you must switch off tracking before you press OK. After this I sent 3 OK messages and all were sent and recieved no problem.
I then pressed the HELP button, both TB and I recieved a message with the link to the spot website which gave my exact location and coordinates.
As I have an iPhone my message had a direct web link and with one touch of the text link and I was looking at my location. Awesome.

When I got home I checked the tracking on my computor and it was exact.

I think this relatively cheap device is essential for adventure and trailriders. If Lotsa had one on the weekend his whereabouts and situation would have been known and saved a lot of people worrying.
If things get worse than what lotsa was faced with, by pressing 911 you know the emergancy rescue service is coming.

If you buy one I strongly recommend testing it out for a day using your own mobile numbers to make sure you know it’s functions. It’s given me peace of mind now knowing I’m using it correctly.

[WayneMember]

It would have been handy for sure. I knew I was OK but the last thing I wanted was for everyone else to worry about me. Had I had one, the wife would have seen on the pc and her web enabled phone, that I was moving at walking pace and would have known I was OK and I could have sent a non uregent message that I was OK.

My priority on the night was to get to a phone to call my wife before everyone was contacted to help. I knew I was only a Km from the farm house and would have made it by about midnight had my torch not run out of batteries.

I’ll be getting one.

PS. NickJ, it appears you spelt my name wrong, but I prefer your way,

Cheers

[glennMember]

sounds better than firing 3 shots in the air nickj,,,,I tried that once,when I was lost. thought I was going OK until I ran out of arrows.

Boony

[Mick DMember]

Nick, I dunno if you realised this but if we moused over(or clicked,cant remember) the last plot of the day after you had sent the message the message was displayed there on the plotter site on the left of the screen.

[Nick JacksonMember]

That’s right Mick , our problem was that the text message wasn’t recieved and I was stumped why. I couldn’t find anything in the instructions that said an international code was needed so it was a bit of trial and error yesturday.
The OK message was on the spot net site but if no-one logged on then neither the OK or a HELP message would be noticed, so it’s very important to get the text message working correctly.

[RoyMember]

So when the track gets put up on the website how often does it show a point. Is it a set time interval or a set distance interval. Are there ongoing costs after the purchase price. I realise you would be paying for the text messages but how much is it to track a trip on the website.

[ChrisMember]

Google is your friend..

http://spottracker.com.au/spot-satellite-gps-messenger/spot-v2.html

[GregMember]

Krusty wrote:

Quote:

Google is your friend..

http://spottracker.com.au/spot-satellite-gps-messenger/spot-v2.html

nah thats confusing :laugh: Krusty 120 bucks, a year basic cost extra 40 odd for people to view your tracking

You dont pay for the texts either

TB

[Nick JacksonMember]

The tracking is updated at 10 minute intervals from when you turn it on and shows a direct route between points (ie. Doesn’t follow roads). Like TB said all texts and other functions are part of your yearly subsciption of around $165 for the full package.

[RoyMember]

Thanks for that. I knew I could look it up but it is always better to get the info from someone using it. You never know the ins and outs until you use the thing.

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