Thread: "Spot" Satellite msgr - viable alternative to EPIRB ?

I have had one for about 6 months. I got it cheap and subscribed cheap due to our strong dollar at the time... BUT.. now it would cost a small fortune per year to keep going. The units if you buy from america can come in at under 80 bucks U.S.

I like it. Much better then an epirb for me due to the "ok" and tracking. If I want to keep a place in mind for the future I just hit the "ok" button and I know when I get home it will be marked. I also do it on my gps but I like having both facilites. Also for my partner it usually means I can get away more often as less concern for my welfare due to the device.

ISSUE- for me is that I have my queries on if it tracks sattelites and sends out emergency signals as well as an epirb would. I doubt it does. But if it does then that's great.

Also, the design of the machine is absolute crap. The emergency button should without a doubt have a flip up cover on it and so should the help button. God only knows why the idiots who designed it never put one on.

I also like that you can call for help from someone who you have given access to your account but you aren't asking for quick response teams to come in and run up thousands of dollars worth of bills.




I have heard stupid reasons for not getting one like what if you forget to pay your fees and won't buy one because of this. I just think that is ridiculous though.

Anyway. Over all I am happy with it. I have had a few queries of if it has always sent an "ok" message when I ahve asked it too but if I follow instructions perfectly it does everything it says it can.

Oh... and about your where does the message go. It goes to the american help centre. Not sure if it is like where our signals go. I think it is operated by a prvate company. You can find out but I can't recall where I found the info on the website.

Also, I don't see how it would be much slower. maybe 5 or 10 minutes. Sure you could die in that time and every minute can count in an emergency but I can't say for sure about response time. What I read on their site says once the "911" signal is picked up they then contact the local authorities and hand over all the info and make sure it has been dealt with before they cease contact.

Speaking of response. There has been several times where the emrgency help was activated and the resuce efforts went well. I have read in several places of people using them here.

Thanks for that- need to think about it a bit more.

From their website

Product/Service
Price
Spot Messenger
$349 AUD
Annual Service Fee
$115.00 (Charged in USD)

You're right it's the service fee that's going to be the killer - it would be between $100 - $180 pa in AU dollars.

Also looking at the new Thuraya Satphone deals. ( $1000 to purchase and prepaid scratch card charge of a couple of bucks per minute ). Thats a lot more but you get full two way conversations.

If I had of had the money I would of definately gone the sat phone root even know my main uses are for back-packing and I want things kept light. in a few years I'll get the sat phone but having thought about it I don't think I'd reccomend the spot.

I should lend it to some one else on here when they do a big trip and they can decide. Any one???

btw. That 350aud... that's rubbish. I got mine off ebay for 125aud with postage from the U.S.. Even know the dollar was strong you'd be looking under $200aud now.

I was just about to start a new thread on the SPOT when I found this one.

I can't work out how you send a custom message, as I can't see any keypad. How do you get the text of your message entered?

Tks
David

I have a friend who has a spot. He bought it in America when he was last there.
It must be good 'cause he never shuts up about it.

Originally Posted by spudboy

I can't work out how you send a custom message, as I can't see any keypad. How do you get the text of your message entered?

Tks
David

This link may help.
You set the message you want to send and who to send it to via the internet. You cannot change the message using the actual unit.

OK - I think I've got it - it's just a fixed message. I was thinking you could send "Need Water" or "Broken Axle" etc as the case may be.