Steve C edit 8-25-13: Subject title changed.
New: SPOT Satellite Messenger Problems
See
this post for the issues.
Old title was: Spot Me questions
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Hi All,
I have noticed a few members use "Spot Me", and I am wondering about your experiences, and what Hardware you have. It seems, that for hiking/camping there are two options as far as hardware goes:
- The Spot Connect is the newest option I think, and the combination of H/W & software is perhaps a bit unstable/buggy at this time. Uses an app on your iPhone/Android to create custom messages, and has all other functions of the Spot GPS Messenger. H/W and phone use Bluetooth to connect. A little more complicated than the SPOT GPS Messenger, and it requires both devices to be working (I think). Lindbergh used single engine plane to cross the Atlantic, since twin engine had double the chance of engine failure, which would have resulted in failure (and most likely death).
- The Spot GPS Messenger seems to have replaced the original SPOT hardware, is smaller, and perhaps more reliable? Limited outgoing messages, but probably enough to serve it's function.
As I understand it both of these devices need the satellite to be in view, and the satellite must also have a ground station in view at the same time in order to relay the message. No "buffer" to send later, so successful transmission/reception relies on satellite being position such that two ground locations are in view at the same time. Net result is that message transmission and reception can be delayed.
Is this your experience?
Any other comments would be appreciated. Please feel free to edit or correct any of my above comments.
I guess there is another option: InReach. Have any of you considered this?
Thanks,
John
