Spot Messenger / Sat Phone

[Brenda MarchantMember]

Hi

We are planning a trip later this year into central QLD – NT & Kimberley’s of WA.

I’ve heard & seen the Spot Messenger but not sure how it works.

Do you buy the hardware outright and then pay for the tracking ??

We can also get the sat phone Prepaid ISat Phone pro … however some of that is changing (apparently) ….

Anyone with links or knowledge I’d appreciate it or knowledge of anything else would be great.

cheers Brenda

[Nick JacksonMember]

A lot of us on the site have the Spot Trackers and one of our sponsors supplies them at a good price.

You buy the unit them pay an optional yearly cost for tracking , the text message part is great to let family and friends know your ok when theirs no mobile service. TB has the Spot 3 which allow you to send individual text messages where the older models have preset messages.

Talk to Steve at Adventure Moto and he’ll give you all the info and a good price.

Nick

[GregMember]

We are doing a ride in the remoteness of NSW/SA/NT and WA in August and, being two bikes alone, we have both technologies.

My comments on the spot are:

I have the Spot 2 which as Nick says, you buy and then have a subscription. I have the subscription that allows unlimited tracking and you can share a link via email or Facebook so friends and family can track your progress. It sends a location every 10 mins and is really good for those at home. It has 3 message buttons:

I use one to say we have just stopped and everything is fine. This goes tommy immediate family as both email and sms message. It is great because it has the data and link for google maps when clicked on.

I have another button, set up the same but the message states that we have stopped for the night – my wife likes this one because she knows no more riding and can relax and stop worrying… women.

My third customised button is a pre-alert that I have programmed to persons I know who can assist or mobilise assistance if needed. The message basically says that I am in the shit, I either have a mechanical issue or minor injury that is not life threatening but either way, I cannot go on so please do what you can to arrange a pickup. This is not an all out emergency.

The last button is a SOS button that works similar to an epirb. It sends out a message that alerts the rescue authorities that we need immediate assistance. It is not like an epirb that transmits a constant distress signal that can be tracked, rather it goes through the normal Spot satellite system to their exchange, just like your normal SMS or email messages, then they will forward to the relevant countries emergency services authority with the GPS coordinates… As I understand it, this means that it may take a little longer for the message to reach those who can help and I am not sure if you can keep moving once you set it off… the Ambos may go to where you fired it off?

In short, it is easy to use, relatively cheap and gives my family peace of mind and some enjoyment watching your trip unfold… As you can easily get separated from your bike in an off or if you walk a trail, it is best to locate your spot on your body, but I have mine on my handlebars… My kids say I am a do as I say, not as I do kind of person…

My mate has just bought the Spot connect, which is the Spot 3 as Nick refers to TB’s.

I am not sure of TB’s experience with it but old mate is a little frustrated with the functionality of it. Yes you can send custom texts, update Facebook etc… but everything you do is reliant upon connecting your smart phone to it. The spot 2 has buttons you just press. This may be no issue for most, but my mate finds it incredibly annoying plus, leaving your blue tooth on both devices eats batteries.

I am in two minds, I would likely trade off the frustration to be able to send a personal message to my kids, but then again, I like the simple aspect of the Spot 2.

Now for the second part…

I know its a cost, but for a cross country ride, we are both going to take sat phones… For a few hundred bucks to hire for the duration, I want to be able to call at any point and more importantly, I want to be able to be contacted in case of emergency. I have not determined who I will be hiring off yet or the final costs, but I have estimated $600 for the three weeks, calls inclusive… If it goes over that, then it is my fault and I am paying for the luxury of saying night to my kids – worth it for that alone.

Anyway, thats my two bob, hope I have been of some help.

[MARTIN TWINEMember]

Hi Brenda,

Have a chat with Galey ktm300, he has had one for a while and rates it highly, and the messages that are sent are very clear and detailed back on my laptop.

They are a good compact size too.

Every article i have read on them is good, But theres nothing like talking to the people that are out in the field using them.

Cheers Marty

[scott bockingMember]

Sat phone and Spot are not mutually exclusive. Based on the trip you are planning I would say take both if you can.
The Spot is a great tracker that can keep loved ones in the loop but you can not talk to them without a Sat phone. Should things turn sour it is a lot easier to hit the SOS button on your Spot than it is to dial a Sat phone and explain.
Sat phone for comfort, Spot for emergencies.

STM

[JohnMember]

Hire through TJM

http://www.landwide.com.au/iridium-9555

Some good reading here

http://www.overlander.com.au/equipment/index/full/94/Satellite-Phones

Check that the phone/plan is capable of making no charge calls to emergency numbers 112.

Have everyone in your party provide emergency contact information in writing before you leave and practise using the satphone to make a call.

http://firstaid.about.com/library/PDF_files/Medical_Info_Sheet.pdf

shelbyjet wrote:

We are doing a ride in the remoteness of NSW/SA/NT and WA in August and, being two bikes alone, we have both technologies.

Now for the second part…

I know its a cost, but for a cross country ride, we are both going to take sat phones… For a few hundred bucks to hire for the duration, I want to be able to call at any point and more importantly, I want to be able to be contacted in case of emergency. I have not determined who I will be hiring off yet or the final costs, but I have estimated $600 for the three weeks, calls inclusive… If it goes over that, then it is my fault and I am paying for the luxury of saying night to my kids – worth it for that alone.

Anyway, thats my two bob, hope I have been of some help.

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