BajaNomad

Spot locators

Bajamatic - 12-16-2010 at 10:40 AM

After the success of operation busted burrow I'm seriously considering one of these. Who else is using one? To me it seemed like the combination of that device and bajanomad was a slam dunk. I wonder if there isn't a way to add a page on nomad that shows updates on a map and/or alerts the forum when a help message goes out? If other nomads (principally, Doug) are behind it I'd donate my time to author it....

But back to my point. Does anyone else have any opinion on these things?

motoged - 12-16-2010 at 11:00 AM

I carried and used a Spot last year when riding dirtbike solo for 1800 kms in Baja last February....it allowed two folks back home to get daily tracking updates e-mailed to them so they knew where I was and the "OK" function also confirmed my arrival at destinations as well as departures so as to account for down time on the tracking function....

I also use back home when doing other solo "risky" riding.

They are a good idea for folks who might run into injury or malfunctions that are truly risky. They are abused if used to have someone respond to the SOS when the situation does not really require thousands of $$$ resource money from SAR folks. The "Help" button seems to have been what saved the burro guy in Baja.

SPOT and new DeLorme PN-60W

bajaguy - 12-16-2010 at 11:11 AM

I have one and use it all of the time to send OK messages and to let friends and family track trip progress.

SPOT has teamed up with DeLorme to produce the PN-60W so now you as the SPOT holder can send one way text messages via satellite. Visit the SPOT site at:

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php

Bajamatic.......SPOT messages are sent to those e-mail addresses that you enter on your notification list. I don't think there is an option to post messages or tracks directly to a forum such as Baja Nomad.

Bajamatic - 12-16-2010 at 11:19 AM

I can extract XML data from the messages. It would be pretty easy to write a script that would post to the forum. It would require some help from Doug of course (permissions, etc).

baja Steve - 12-16-2010 at 04:15 PM

I have been using one for a couple of years and love it, I also send I am ok messages and am now connected to my face book for friends to follow me.

bigzaggin - 12-16-2010 at 04:21 PM

Bajamatic - check your U2U.

mtgoat666 - 12-16-2010 at 04:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajamatic
After the success of operation busted burrow I'm seriously considering one of these. Who else is using one? To me it seemed like the combination of that device and bajanomad was a slam dunk. I wonder if there isn't a way to add a page on nomad that shows updates on a map and/or alerts the forum when a help message goes out? If other nomads (principally, Doug) are behind it I'd donate my time to author it....

But back to my point. Does anyone else have any opinion on these things?


It would add a wild new dimension to the forum if DK would carry a spot and post GPS updates for us so we could follow every waking moment of his life! How about a Spot map to track Dennnis from bar to bar?

If you want a map tracking service for people at home to follow your every move, doesn't Spot provide that with subsciption??? Can't one go to the Spot website and view the "Spots" on a web-based map? Seems like such should be provided in subsciption that Spot users sign up for.

If you want Baja Nomad to start tracking everyones adventures and alerting all to their misadventures, then I think Baja Nomad should charge fee for being a map and rescue service for Nomads.

Bajamatic - 12-16-2010 at 05:39 PM

Yeah after I thought that through a little it became much less appealing. A passing thought that was better left in my head.

dtbushpilot - 12-16-2010 at 05:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajamatic
After the success of operation busted burrow I'm seriously considering one of these. Who else is using one? To me it seemed like the combination of that device and bajanomad was a slam dunk. I wonder if there isn't a way to add a page on nomad that shows updates on a map and/or alerts the forum when a help message goes out? If other nomads (principally, Doug) are behind it I'd donate my time to author it....

But back to my point. Does anyone else have any opinion on these things?


It would add a wild new dimension to the forum if DK would carry a spot and post GPS updates for us so we could follow every waking moment of his life! How about a Spot map to track Dennnis from bar to bar?

If you want a map tracking service for people at home to follow your every move, doesn't Spot provide that with subsciption??? Can't one go to the Spot website and view the "Spots" on a web-based map? Seems like such should be provided in subsciption that Spot users sign up for.

If you want Baja Nomad to start tracking everyones adventures and alerting all to their misadventures, then I think Baja Nomad should charge fee for being a map and rescue service for Nomads.



Maybe we could hide one in woody's truck and find out where his secret surf spots are:lol::lol:

shari - 12-17-2010 at 08:41 AM

bajamatic....I dont think it is a crazy idea at all. I think it would be a good plan for SOME nomads like Motged who travel solo in remote areas. I would be happy to offer support for certain amigos. But I learned something from Mike's ordeal and would better organize what to do in case of the HELP request etc...have a better plan....but I think your idea is a sound one in certain circumstances.

the fun i could have with that spot thingy!

woody with a view - 12-17-2010 at 09:43 AM

for my goofy friends.....

[Edited on 12-17-2010 by woody with a view]

rsz_1marios_front_yard.jpg - 31kB

KurtG - 12-17-2010 at 09:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
bajamatic....I dont think it is a crazy idea at all. I think it would be a good plan for SOME nomads like Motged who travel solo in remote areas. I would be happy to offer support for certain amigos. But I learned something from Mike's ordeal and would better organize what to do in case of the HELP request etc...have a better plan....but I think your idea is a sound one in certain circumstances.


I have carried a Spot for two years now at the urging of family since I often ride solo. Since my contact list can be changed anytime I have computer access I have thought about arranging with friends (like you, Shari) to put them on my "need help" list when I am in their region and then delete them as I move on. I have never used the 911 function and hope not to, in fact so far I have only sent "OK" messages and hope that continues to be the case. I'm not one to take extra chances just because I have such a device to call for help but it is reassuring to have it along in case of mechanical breakdown or accident.

bigzaggin - 12-17-2010 at 10:49 AM

Woody - that looks like a fun day at "The Left." I'm sometimes forced to go there when my goofy friends get to whining. Takes a very steep angled South to get all the way up to Mulege, but when it's on, it's a great wave.

estebanis - 12-17-2010 at 02:04 PM

There are 2 spots left on Clearance at the Camping World in Buena Park near the 5 and Artesia. I bought one for my bro who is an avid backpacker. They are only $49.00. There is a subscription that has a $50 dollar a year or a $99 a year option.
Esteban

woody with a view - 12-17-2010 at 02:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigzaggin
Woody - that looks like a fun day at "The Left." I'm sometimes forced to go there when my goofy friends get to whining. Takes a very steep angled South to get all the way up to Mulege, but when it's on, it's a great wave.


:light:

all that is required is a cat2 or greater hurricane ROARING up the gulf. the ultimate secret spot(s). if anyone knows where Mario's front yard is..... see you there! :tumble:

bigzaggin - 12-18-2010 at 01:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
If you want Baja Nomad to start tracking everyones adventures and alerting all to their misadventures, then I think Baja Nomad should charge fee for being a map and rescue service for Nomads.


Goat - I agree that using Nomad to pinpoint track all of our (mis)adventures is a bit much, but I too was really blown away by how quickly the board mobilized when that dude sent out the 911 from S of San Carlos.

My wife has always been a little freaked out about the remoteness of some of the places I go down there - understandably so - and, with an eye on many, many future trips, I'm looking for as many "comfort tools" as possible (I don't have a spot locator, but my co-pilot does). As I get ready for my next trip down (two weeks and counting) I am gonna clue her into the Nomad boards, as a resource she could use should she get word something is catastrophically wrong.

As far as I can tell - and I've been using this board for six years - there is no better network of Baja vets/ex-pats anywhere online and it makes sense that people could come here to send out a 911. I know there is obviously some danger in that idea being abused ("Help, my husband said he wants to fish another day!!!"), but I think this place polices itself pretty well.

Curious how others feel about that idea.

And by the way Woody, when those rare Norths sweep down the SOC, that right on the other side of that point gets epic.


[Edited on 12-18-2010 by bigzaggin]

woody with a view - 12-18-2010 at 01:54 PM

yessir! and don't be in montana when a big easterly swell is forecast.

funny story. about 4 years ago i was working at yuma proving grounds. one thursday on the way back to the beach there was a well hyped BIG south swell coming up the coast of north america. at the agricultural inspection station i pulled up next to a car with a board on top and colorado plates, headed west. i had to ask, and yep, he was heading for the coast to catch a few waves from the swell of the summer. gotta hope that guy got a few good ones for his effort. when i told him where i was going the look on his face was almost like the air was let out of his sails, almost. i kinda felt bad that i didn't invite the guy along....

motoged - 12-18-2010 at 06:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
...... i kinda felt bad that i didn't invite the guy along....


Woody,
Yeah, but you would have had to kill him at the end of the day so the rest of Colorado didn't show up :lol::lol:

Another Goofy ...:cool:

woody with a view - 12-18-2010 at 07:12 PM

now you are thinking like a surfer......

TMW - 12-19-2010 at 10:16 AM

I just bought a "Surfers Guide to Baja" and I'm going to spill the beans on all the locations. Pictures, GPS, route guides, satellite pixs, everything. The beaches will be crowded for years to come. I'll probably be the mosted hated guy on BajaNomad.

I also just bought a Spot Locator so you all can follow me to the locations.

[Edited on 12-19-2010 by TW]

Ramon - 12-19-2010 at 08:32 PM

I use a Spot tracker when riding in the boonies of Ca and Baja. I use it in the truck too when cell service is zilch so my wife can see that we are alive and moving towards our destination down south. Used it for two years and will never depend on its 911 feature but its one more option to get my body back if needed.
You can sign up with Spotwalla and anyone can see where you are. Here is an example from Adventure Riders Spotwalla page.
http://spotwalla.com/locationViewer.php?id=45

805gregg - 12-22-2010 at 08:23 PM

Spot is great, i use it on my solo bike trips. Recently I loaned it to my daughter to take to Peru, to send back messenges, while she hiked for 5 days from Cusco to Pichu. I could follow her and see the terrain on google earth, is was nice to know she was ok. After I sent it to her we wondered if it worked, so I told her to push the 911 button. A big mistake within 10 min I got a call on my cell from the Emergency Response Network, saying someone had set out an alert from my Spot. Do do that, there is a way to check it without getting everyone involved, we use it on our boat also. But if you have no one you care about or that cares about you, it would be a waste.