For $149.99, plus annual fees, this might be an ideal take along for Baja travelers. The coverage map is impressive. I obtained the following from a
Pilot's shop, however the applications are unlimited. The web page is
SHIPPING NOTICE: This new device has not yet been released. It will begin shipping on November 1, 2007. Orders will be filled on a first-come,
first-served basis. By placing an order now, you will reserve your spot in line and you can cancel your order at any time prior to the shipment.
Your credit card will NOT be charged until we actually ship your SPOT device.
The World's First Satellite Messenger and Tracker!
SPOT is a small, portable, multi-function device that; acts as a satellite emergency locator, provides real-time location tracking over the web (using
Google Earth) to friends and family members, and allows you to send one way SMS text (or email) messages in areas where you can't get cellular or
internet access.
As a pilot, you know what an ELT is, you've probably heard about the newer 406MHz PLB (Personal Locator Beacon), and you definitely know about cell
phones. What if you combined all three and gave it almost worldwide satellite coverage? You would have the SPOT, the World's First Satellite
Messenger and Tracker!
Some reasons why pilots are excited about SPOT:
You're thirty minutes out from your destination, descending from 11,500' and want someone to pick you up at the airport when you land. There's no
way to get any get any cell phone service, but SPOT can send an email or SMS text message immediately via satellite.
You're planning a trip of a lifetime flying above the Alaskan Highway and deep into Alaska. Your friends and family are both worried and excited
about your trip. With SPOT on-board, your exact position can be displayed online, via Google Earth, to anyone you choose. Your friends and family
can follow your great journey and feel comfort in knowing exactly where you are at any time.
You're on that same trip through Alaska and you have an issue that forces an emergency landing. You make a perfect landing on the shore of a river
but now you're in the middle of nowhere. Count on SPOT, its' satellite coverage and built-in GPS receiver, to dispatch emergency responders to your
exact location.
You run a flight school with ten airplanes and have rental aircraft going in every direction. With a SPOT in each airplane, you can track the
real-time position of all of your aircraft, online 24 hours a day
This is something completely new and different from anything else on the market. SPOT allows you to:
North American Alert 9-1-1 Dispatches emergency responders to an exact location (United States/Canada).
Worldwide Alert 9-1-1 Dispatches emergency responders to an exact location outside North America (GEOS rescue service).
Ask for Help Sends a request for help to a customized list of recipients (via SMS or email).
Check In "SPOTchecking" Service lets contacts know where you are and that you are okay (via SMS or email).
Track Progress "SPOTcasting" Service sends and saves your location on Internet site every 10 minutes to view progress using Google Maps
Features of the SPOT device:
Built-in GPS receiver
Built-in satellite modem & transmit antenna (Transmit only device)
Lightweight, only 7.4 ounces
2 AA Lithium batteries (When powered on has a standby battery life of 1 year)
Waterproof / floats when dropped in water
OSHA certified intrinsically safe (Class 1, Division 1, Group A-D Standards)
Humidity and salt fog rated
Operating temperature: -40F to +185F
Track Your Location Via Google Earth
Track Progress "SPOTcasting" Service sends and saves your location on Internet site every 10 minutes to view progress using Google Maps
Coverage Areas
SPOT transmitter has recorded excellent transmission rates within the coverage areas shown below, and even sends each message 3 times to ensure
successful transmission. Please note that SPOT must be able to "see" the sky in order to properly work. If you are using this in a c-ckpit, you must
keep SPOT in a place that has an unobstructed view of the sky (i.e. the dash). GPS location coordinates are accurate to within 20 feet.
Usage fees for SPOT:
With SPOT you buy the hardware at a low initial cost and then pay an annual subscription fee for monitoring and tracking as follows:
$149.99 one time equipment purchase price
$99 annual fee for unlimited basic service (North American Alert 9-1-1, Ask for Help, and Check-In) .
$50 additional annual fee for SPOTcasting real-time tracking service.
SHIPPING NOTICE: This new device has not yet been released. It will begin shipping on November 1, 2007. Orders will be filled on a first-come,
first-served basis. By placing an order now, you will reserve your spot in line and you can cancel your order at any time prior to the shipment.
Your credit card will NOT be charged until we actually ship your SPOT device.bajamigo - 10-22-2007 at 09:31 PM
I wonder if one can train a beagle to use some of the device's basic functions. Sure is a lot cheaper than paying a reward.bajaguy - 10-22-2007 at 09:36 PM
Hang it on his collar and try it outreefrocket - 10-22-2007 at 10:49 PM
Toys like these make me shutter especially when accompanied with the phrase ---->the applications are
unlimited
isn't tec. a wonderment in the right hands
think global IEDsBajaDave - 10-23-2007 at 01:31 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by reefrocket
Toys like these make me shutter especially when accompanied with the phrase ---->the applications are
unlimited
isn't tec. a wonderment in the right hands
think global IEDs
Wouldn't the fact that it can only transmit sms or email and not receive them foil it's use in an IED??
Also, from here on out, (once the govt's computers hit on this) I can pretty much rest assured that someone working for the government will be reading
my emails and following my surfing for a while, at a minimum, right?capt. mike - 10-23-2007 at 04:42 PM
you can read all about ours at www.baja.net used in the plane and test bikes on pre run for 1000 3 weeks ago
