degoma
Junior Nomad
Posts: 64
Registered: 7-21-2009
Location: Mojave, CA
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Spot Satellite Messenger
Has anyone had any experience with this emergency device? http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=1530
Thanks
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Taco de Baja
Super Nomad
Posts: 1913
Registered: 4-14-2004
Location: Behind the Orange Curtain, CA
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Mood: Dreamin' of Baja
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The company I work for just bought a couple of the ACR Resqfix 406 GPS Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs).
http://www.acrelectronics.com/resqfix/ResQFixspec.pdf
More expensive, but no annual contract. And seemed to be a better all around deal than the Spot if you need to be rescued as it sends out your GPS
position AND a radio tracking beacon for the rescue crews to lock onto.
ACR vs. Spot
[Edited on 8-26-2009 by Taco de Baja]
Truth generally lies in the coordination of antagonistic opinions
-Herbert Spencer
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taoswheat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 73
Registered: 11-29-2007
Location: Taos, NM USA
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One of the San Carlos Charter operators bought one last year and I took it out on fishing trips and on my fishing kayak. He had paid for the tracking
option, so he could track our position in near real time (every 10 minutes I think). It did work OK. I think the button and indicator light design
could have made more foolproof, but it did work OK. If you really were in the middle of nowhere and really needed help, the 911 function could be
your life saver. Actual emergency response obviously depends on where you are located. Continental US has solid emergency response. In Mexico,
probably depends on where you are, but it is better than no communication for sure.
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
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Mood: Peacefull
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.................. 
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maspacifico
Nomad
Posts: 317
Registered: 4-22-2008
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A young couple here in BCS got one from their father...... He's never gotten a signal from it down here. I hadn't looked at it too much
because.......who would you call? Not sure if it works here. Seems to work fine in New Jersey though. Maybe South Dakota too.
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taoswheat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 73
Registered: 11-29-2007
Location: Taos, NM USA
Member Is Offline
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Maspacifico,
The Spot talks to satellites and works worldwide. The folks may need to read the manual to use it properly. If you hit the 911, whoever is the known
search and rescue agency in the area is notified by the satellite organization. In Mexico, I don't know- on water maybe the Mexican Navy. On land,
less likely to find support in some areas.
Your name made me thirsty and I have a cold Pacifico calling! Thanks
[Edited on 8-26-2009 by taoswheat]
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Paulclark
Nomad
Posts: 359
Registered: 10-13-2008
Location: Castillo de Arena
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This is from the Baja.net forum where there is a Spot thread and is a quote from Spot about 911 events in Mexico and Baja.
We use our regularly and with the tracking feature our family knows where we are every 15 minutes or so and with the check-in buttom we can confirm we
are okay. There is also the help button which will send an email or Instant Message to the people we have programmed into the system telling them
that we need help --- and where we are-----and then the 911 button for dire emergencies.
Quote:
Mr. Jensen,
We have had twelve 911 activations in Mexico and three specifically in the Mexican State of Baja. Each incident that has taken place in Mexico where
the client could not be contacted one of the Mexican Rescue Coordination Centre (one in Mazatlan and one in Tampico) has been the initial emergency
contact for incident response per International SAR agreements. In the Baja Region specifically, a company that had their own response team activated
one of their units twice for an emergency. The third incident the local RCC was contacted which turned out to be the Mexican Navy. After gathering the
information the Mexican Navy contacted the local authorities that went to the location and investigated the incident. It turned out that the owner of
the unit had left it on his boat after the unit had accidentally been activated. I know it sounds a little strange to contact the Mexican Navy for an
incident that takes place on land but they are the official SAR agency for the country of Mexico just like The United States Coast Guard is the
primary SAR agency in the United States. Keep in mind, if these individuals would have been U.S. citizens the local consulate would have been
contacted for assistance with a response as well. In some incidents when we did not receive the assistance we requested we were able to contact a
Police agencies and the Mexican Army for a response. Mexico presents certain challenges but with our contacts and perseverance every incident that has
taken place in Mexico has been resolved successfully.
Kevin
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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SPOT
I have one and use it all the time he western US and northern Baja for "SPOT" location reports and the tracking feature. I also purchased the 911 GOES
worldwide evacuation insurance plan for an extra $8.00 a year.
Also like the feature that I can send location reports, tracking and "help" messages to anyone I want by setting up a specific contact list before I
depart on a trip.........
Cheap insurance and it works
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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I've had one since last Dec. and use it regularly to let friends know of my travels in Baja and the US. Reports my location with coordinates and a
link to Google Maps which will show my position. Just tested the "Help" button once and it worked as advertised. Haven't and hope never to have to
use the "911" feature. I also bought the $8 a year rescue insurance.
At the Score 250 last year, I saw several Spot units attached to race vehicles.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Paulclark
Nomad
Posts: 359
Registered: 10-13-2008
Location: Castillo de Arena
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NEW SPOT AVAILABLE THIS FALL
•30% smaller and lighter than the original model at 5.2 ounces
•New enhanced satellite antenna for improved performance in foliage or canopied environments
•Advanced GPS performance chipset
•GPS Acquisition light
•“Message Sending” indicator light
•Dedicated GPS Tracking button
•New, dedicated pre-programmable Custom Message button
•Protective covers over S.O.S and Help button to prevent inadvertent message transmission
•Illuminated buttons
•Choice of orange or silver
•Included case and neoprene fastening band
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degoma
Junior Nomad
Posts: 64
Registered: 7-21-2009
Location: Mojave, CA
Member Is Offline
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Thanks for informative responses. Spot appears to be a very handy device.
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beercan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 670
Registered: 4-3-2005
Location: North of da Bear
Member Is Offline
Mood: happy to be in Baja
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$102.00 ?????
http://www.boatersworld.com/product/MP63521941.htm?bct=t2514...
* libs, all about choice until you choose different
* B. Hussein Obama - an Empty Suit for Empty Minds.
* Annoy a liberal - Work hard and be happy!
* Arguing facts & truth to libs is like bringing a warm smile to a gun fight.
* Lets win the War on Terror
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