BajaNomad

SPOT

chatolj - 3-1-2016 at 07:04 PM

Just got notice that "SPOT" is upping the basic service fee 50% . If you are not using "TRACKING" they are forcing it on the plan. I let them know a 50% rise in cost is a bit much for a loyal customer. Am i a b-tch? If not, let them know. I would think a lot of you out there use their product.

KurtG - 3-1-2016 at 07:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chatolj  
Just got notice that "SPOT" is upping the basic service fee 50% . If you are not using "TRACKING" they are forcing it on the plan. I let them know a 50% rise in cost is a bit much for a loyal customer. Am i a b-tch? If not, let them know. I would think a lot of you out there use their product.


I got the same notice, my service is up for renewal this month. I also am going to protest being forced to pay $50 for tracking, a service that I don't want or need. I am going to point out that they are no longer the only game in town. I have been a customer since the device first came out and am happy with it but have gotten really frustrated at seeing ads from them that give better deals to new customers than they will give a loyal user. I may stay with Spot but am cerainly going to check out other options.

woody with a view - 3-1-2016 at 07:43 PM

Get em Curt and Kurt!

dtbushpilot - 3-1-2016 at 08:35 PM

I have the DeLorme InReach, You can send and receive messages, you get a reply from search and rescue with an estimated ETA, you can tell them what's wrong etc. The Spot is ok but you have to hope someone got your sos and they are coming, to me it's worth a few more bucks to be able to talk to someone.

Pappy Jon - 3-1-2016 at 08:54 PM

I second the inReach. No annual contract. Pay only for the months I use it. $35/mo for unlimited tracking, 40 send/receive text messages, and all the general "I'm ok" messages I can send. Plus, my experience with the tech/customer service people has been great.

Personally, I love the tracking. My friends can keep track of me from home.

StuckSucks - 3-1-2016 at 09:06 PM

I haven't heard from them yet. If I already pay for tracking, will my rate change?

bajaguy - 3-1-2016 at 10:48 PM

Do you have a link for this??
Quote: Originally posted by chatolj  
Just got notice that "SPOT" is upping the basic service fee 50% . If you are not using "TRACKING" they are forcing it on the plan. I let them know a 50% rise in cost is a bit much for a loyal customer. Am i a b-tch? If not, let them know. I would think a lot of you out there use their product.

Mark_BC - 3-1-2016 at 10:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by dtbushpilot  
I have the DeLorme InReach, You can send and receive messages, you get a reply from search and rescue with an estimated ETA, you can tell them what's wrong etc. The Spot is ok but you have to hope someone got your sos and they are coming, to me it's worth a few more bucks to be able to talk to someone.


Does it have the same coverage as Spot? This is ridiculous, prices should be going down with technology advancing and new players in the market.

LaTijereta - 3-2-2016 at 08:03 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
Do you have a link for this??

Quote: Originally posted by chatolj  
Just got notice that "SPOT" is upping the basic service fee 50% . If you are not using "TRACKING" they are forcing it on the plan. I let them know a 50% rise in cost is a bit much for a loyal customer. Am i a b-tch? If not, let them know. I would think a lot of you out there use their product.


Check their website to see the cost "now" for the "basic plan" has gone up to $150.... There are other options to start looking at for basic emergency location services..

Ateo - 3-2-2016 at 08:08 AM

Hard to believe they would raise their plan pricing! Wow.

I may need to check out this InReach thing........

David K - 3-2-2016 at 09:01 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Mark_BC  
Quote: Originally posted by dtbushpilot  
I have the DeLorme InReach, You can send and receive messages, you get a reply from search and rescue with an estimated ETA, you can tell them what's wrong etc. The Spot is ok but you have to hope someone got your sos and they are coming, to me it's worth a few more bucks to be able to talk to someone.


Does it have the same coverage as Spot? This is ridiculous, prices should be going down with technology advancing and new players in the market.


As one who has looked at the signals from many Nomads who use both Spot and InReach devices, I seriously like the InReach better. Great topo maps with your track or location plus the ability to send short messages back and forth, rather than an SOS out alert only.

DavidT - 3-2-2016 at 09:39 AM


http://www.inreachdelorme.com

http://www.delorme.com/about/pressreleases/garmin.htm

Pescador - 3-3-2016 at 08:20 AM

I think a good idea would be to send SPOT the adds for InReach and say you are ready to switch. They usually have some emergency plan to save the business.

PaulW - 3-3-2016 at 08:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Pappy Jon  
I second the inReach. No annual contract. Pay only for the months I use it. $35/mo for unlimited tracking, 40 send/receive text messages, and all the general "I'm ok" messages I can send. Plus, my experience with the tech/customer service people has been great.

Personally, I love the tracking. My friends can keep track of me from home.

=========
Pappy, can you turn off and on tracking to save $ or does one have to buy by the year/month etc
And now that Garmin owns the company I guess it will all change??

Mark_BC - 3-3-2016 at 10:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by Mark_BC  
Quote: Originally posted by dtbushpilot  
I have the DeLorme InReach, You can send and receive messages, you get a reply from search and rescue with an estimated ETA, you can tell them what's wrong etc. The Spot is ok but you have to hope someone got your sos and they are coming, to me it's worth a few more bucks to be able to talk to someone.


Does it have the same coverage as Spot? This is ridiculous, prices should be going down with technology advancing and new players in the market.


As one who has looked at the signals from many Nomads who use both Spot and InReach devices, I seriously like the InReach better. Great topo maps with your track or location plus the ability to send short messages back and forth, rather than an SOS out alert only.


I really like the ability to talk back and forth, even short messages. I don't like being isolated for weeks without knowing what's going on in the rest of the world, it drives me nuts. I like being out there, I just don't like being out of touch.

wilderone - 3-4-2016 at 09:01 AM

"...InReach better. Great topo maps with your track or location "
Stray question. I tried getting into GPS for Baja, understood downloading topo maps, inserting waypoints, etc. - gave up. So with the InReach capabilities, can you use it like a GPS to track your hike to a particular destination? Or find a mine with its lat/long coordinates? And use it like a cell phone for messages?

DirkEXC - 3-4-2016 at 11:52 AM

My contract with Spot came up recently and I looked into the Delorme.
I choose the month to month plan for $12.00 a month and you can start and stop at any time. You get some pre set texts free and if you texd a special message its about .15c per text.

Delorme sent me a notice yesterday that Google has purchased them. I think this will be a good thing..

I think being able to texd back and forth could be priceless in getting the correct help to you which obviously you can not do with a Spot.

Mark_BC - 3-4-2016 at 12:41 PM

Delorme looks interesting but I don't like the internal battery. If it goes dead and you can't charge it you're SOL. You can charge it with a solar panel but that is extra bulk and may not work if weather not favourable. It only has 100 hours of battery life but that is with it on continuously. You could turn it on only when you want to send / receive messages, I wonder how long it would last then. But then people would't be able to find out where you are exactly at that moment, but I guess that's not a super important feture.

I really like the two-way communication this offers. My Spot bills don't seem to have gone up, it might be worth it to keep both when I go deep out there, then you can rely on both since I was reading a review of multiple failed Delorme units.

BajaGringo - 3-4-2016 at 12:55 PM

I just received a message over on facebook about this thread and thought I would respond:

Recently, I was contacted by Globalstar asking for us to serve as a SPOT Ambassador. With that they gave me the equipment, service included to test and report my experiences using it while working down here in Baja. To be clear, I receive absolutely no compensation for any Globalstar equipment or service sales.

Globalstar asks TalkBaja to become a SPOT Ambassador

Some folks are making some comments about the cost of service plans between SPOT and Delorme (Garmin). I am actually more familiar with the Delorme units before now as this was my first experience with SPOT. I guess it really all comes down to what you want to use the unit for and how often.

1) The SPOT Gen3 unit is smaller in size compared to the Delorme.

2) The Delorme unit offers 2 way text messaging.

3) The purchase cost of the SPOT device is less than half that of the Delorme.

4) The service costs however, are something you need to take a close look at.

The SPOT service costs a flat $149.99 annually for all the basic messaging and tracking services provided by the Gen3 device. The SPOT package offers motion activated tracking included in the basic package and advanced tracking options are available for an additional $49.99 per year, if needed.

The reported cost increase for the service plan will only affect the older technology units, not the SPOT Gen3 device.

I do remember when we used the Delorme device it was always dinging us with extra fees, taxes and charges and usually with no explanation. As I recall, Delorme used something like 30 of the allowable text characters to add an ad to your message. And then there were the firmware updates. (Grrrr)

In the end, the last year we used the Delorme device the annual charges added up to nearly $400, above and beyond the cost of the unit. Granted, at that time I was spending a lot of time south of El Rosario and used the unit quite a bit. One of the reasons I abandoned Delorme was that I realized that I was using it as more of a messaging device than a tracking device, not the reason for which I had originally purchased the unit and why it is hard to make an apples-apples comparison between the two units.

We have a thread on this over on TalkBaja as well...



[Edited on 3-4-2016 by BajaGringo]

BajaGringo - 3-4-2016 at 12:59 PM

FWIW - Sounds like some of you would be better off with a satellite phone in lieu of a tracking device. Prices on Sat phones and service have been coming down and Globalstar offers a SPOT Sat phone as well...

http://findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=123

[Edited on 3-4-2016 by BajaGringo]

mtgoat666 - 3-4-2016 at 03:23 PM

What's monthly cost of spot and inreach?

A cheapo irridium sat phone plan is $60month for 20 minutes per mo, not sure how text msgs are billed.

I think the sat handset is high up front cost.

DirkEXC - 3-4-2016 at 03:44 PM

The battery charging point is a good one. On my bike I have a battery tender. Battery Tender makes a USB charging adapter for their pig tail which I have.

I can now charge my phone, and Delorme from my bike. In Baja if I'm separated from my bike I must be dead so this is as good as it gets.
They make one with clips for car batteries as well.

http://www.amazon.com/BATTERY-TENDER-Plug-Adapter-Charger/dp...

Pappy Jon - 3-5-2016 at 01:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  

=========
Pappy, can you turn off and on tracking to save $ or does one have to buy by the year/month etc
And now that Garmin owns the company I guess it will all change??


I can't speak for the annual plans since I use month to month as I want it.

They have four plans ranging in cost from $15/mo to $100/mo depending on what you want. At the $15/mo base rate you don't get tracking as part of the monthly fee, but it is available at 10 cents a point. Text messages are limited to 10/mo, plus unlimited preset messages.

My preferred plan runs $35/mo and I only turn it on for the two months I'm in Mexico. That gives me unlimited tracking, which I consider a necessity, along with 40 text messages. I also get unlimited preset messages, which I use as "I'm OK" messages I send twice a day.
Quote: Originally posted by BajaGringo  

I do remember when we used the Delorme device it was always dinging us with extra fees, taxes and charges and usually with no explanation. And then there were the firmware updates. (Grrrr)


I have no idea what BajaGringo is talking about with extra fees. Sales tax yes, plus a 95cent "Fed USF Cellular" fee, but no other mystery fees. My $34.95 base charge is only $38.48 on my credit card. While the cost of the inReach is more than a SPOT, not having an annual contract has paid the difference in the two years since I've owned it.

Plus, the firmware updates have been a great feature. Delorme listened to its customers and improved the functionality of the device. All the firmware updates are done off the PC, not on air, and cost nothing.

The battery argument is valid, and it was a concern when I bought mine. But, I did not purchase it for extended backpacks. It lives in a RAM mount on my dash, always plugged in, so frankly, I don't care about the battery.
Quote: Originally posted by BajaGringo  

As I recall, Delorme used something like 30 of the allowable text characters to add an ad to your message.


Old news. I don't believe this is still true. Yes, there is an ad attached to the end of the texts, but I don't believe it comes out of the allowable number of characters. I think it is now added after the message is sent. As with the firmware updates, Delorme listened to its customers and made changes.

Jury is out on the Garmin acquisition. I love my Garmins, but ...

[Edited on 3-5-2016 by Pappy Jon]

BajaGringo - 3-5-2016 at 08:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Pappy Jon  

They have four plans ranging in cost from $15/mo to $100/mo depending on what you want. At the $15/mo base rate you don't get tracking as part of the monthly fee, but it is available at 10 cents a point. Text messages are limited to 10/mo, plus unlimited preset messages.

My preferred plan runs $35/mo and I only turn it on for the two months I'm in Mexico. That gives me unlimited tracking, which I consider a necessity, along with 40 text messages. I also get unlimited preset messages, which I use as "I'm OK" messages I send twice a day.

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGringo  

I do remember when we used the Delorme device it was always dinging us with extra fees, taxes and charges and usually with no explanation. And then there were the firmware updates. (Grrrr)


I have no idea what BajaGringo is talking about with extra fees. Sales tax yes, plus a 95cent "Fed USF Cellular" fee, but no other mystery fees. My $34.95 base charge is only $38.48 on my credit card. While the cost of the inReach is more than a SPOT, not having an annual contract has paid the difference in the two years since I've owned it.

Plus, the firmware updates have been a great feature. Delorme listened to its customers and improved the functionality of the device. All the firmware updates are done off the PC, not on air, and cost nothing.

The battery argument is valid, and it was a concern when I bought mine. But, I did not purchase it for extended backpacks. It lives in a RAM mount on my dash, always plugged in, so frankly, I don't care about the battery.
Quote: Originally posted by BajaGringo  

As I recall, Delorme used something like 30 of the allowable text characters to add an ad to your message.


Old news. I don't believe this is still true. Yes, there is an ad attached to the end of the texts, but I don't believe it comes out of the allowable number of characters. I think it is now added after the message is sent. As with the firmware updates, Delorme listened to its customers and made changes.


For those of you who only come south of the border once or twice a year, that Delorme/Garmin plan may make sense. For those of us who live and work down here year round, that service plan would eat me up. I just now checked and with the current pricing and my usage, I would be paying well over $400 annually in service fees alone with that unit.

I am happy that you don't need tracking outside of the safe confines of your vehicle but many of us have to venture out on foot well away from any roads or trails and on occasion for days at a time. For us, the battery is a big issue.

As far as the billing issues. let me see if I kept any of my old bills from Delorme where mysterious charges ranging from 99 cents to 2.99 would pop up. I could never get an answer back from their customer service other than they would get back to me - and they never did one time with an explanation to my satisfaction.

As far as the firmware updates, perhaps the newer units now have the glitches fixed. In the past I dealt with several updates that left my unit frozen and twice I had to send it in to be able to use it again. What I recall is that the that the second time they sent it back to me they did not include the update and recommended that I not attempt to install it. A real problem for those of us who were using the units on a daily basis.

Glad to hear they dropped the policy of advertising on my dime. I found that especially irritating.

Looks like Delorme/Garmin will work for folks who only come down once or twice a year. Full timers, not so much...

[Edited on 3-6-2016 by BajaGringo]

KurtG - 3-5-2016 at 09:01 PM

I use my Spot year round in the US as well as Mexico so it appears that it is still the most cost effective for my needs. I'm still going to call them and complain however.

AKgringo - 3-5-2016 at 09:02 PM

This is a good discussion. I have been wondering which system would be best for me, and you guys have thrown out a few answers to questions I had not thought to ask yet!

Since I fall into the occasional off-roader category, it sounds like the Delorme would be the way to go.

willardguy - 3-5-2016 at 09:32 PM

absolutely! along with Spot/deLorme/Garmin I'd carry a sat phone along with both CDMA/GSM cell phone.....you know, to really enjoy the very last little bit of adventure left down here while plotting your trip on google earth overlays on some navigation gizmo that tells you where to point your HD satellite dish.
different strokes! salud :D

KurtG - 3-5-2016 at 11:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
absolutely! along with Spot/deLorme/Garmin I'd carry a sat phone along with both CDMA/GSM cell phone.....you know, to really enjoy the very last little bit of adventure left down here while plotting your trip on google earth overlays on some navigation gizmo that tells you where to point your HD satellite dish.
different strokes! salud :D


Come on with the snarky attitude. As I have pointed out in another discussion here about the Spot I use it to let my wife and daughter know where I am and that I'm ok since I motorcycle solo in semi remote areas both in Mexico and the US. It is not a navigation device. It has the ability to signal for assistance but I have never needed that function and hope not to. I've carried the device for six years now.

willardguy - 3-5-2016 at 11:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by KurtG  
Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
absolutely! along with Spot/deLorme/Garmin I'd carry a sat phone along with both CDMA/GSM cell phone.....you know, to really enjoy the very last little bit of adventure left down here while plotting your trip on google earth overlays on some navigation gizmo that tells you where to point your HD satellite dish.
different strokes! salud :D


Come on with the snarky attitude. As I have pointed out in another discussion here about the Spot I use it to let my wife and daughter know where I am and that I'm ok since I motorcycle solo in semi remote areas both in Mexico and the US. It is not a navigation device. It has the ability to signal for assistance but I have never needed that function and hope not to. I've carried the device for six years now.


I get that kurt....and I also bet you get my point? ;)

PaulW - 3-6-2016 at 08:57 AM

My experience
Living in San Felipe the cell coverage is just fine until one heads west. Once one gets beyond the mountains or even hills there is no coverage. (My radio has better coverage than the phone just about everywhere). My conclusion is a cell phone is worthless for my travels. I don't even take it with me. So I rely on my SPOT with tracking option. Inreach is obviously better and way more expensive for year around coverage. And I am still to cheap to get a sat phone even if it cost less than inreach.

Mark_BC - 3-6-2016 at 11:51 AM

I looked into the Spot satellite phone. I think that is more in line with what I would want since it isn't really more expensive than the Delorme. $500 Canadian to buy it then you have your monthly plan. But it looks like Mexico is not in the home zone so you're going to be paying $1.50/min Canadian every time you talk to someone. But for an emergency that would be worth it. But is seems that text messages are free, which would be good enough for me unless something out of the ordinary happens and you need to talk to someone. If I break my leg out there I doubt racking up $100 in phone bills is going to be high on my list of concerns.

I don't really need all the GPS options the Delorme has, I have a separate GPS device, I'd want the unit more for just communication and updating my location to a website map.

http://www.findmespot.ca/en/index.php?cid=132