StuckSucks
Super Nomad
Posts: 2318
Registered: 10-17-2013
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Gen 3 SPOT Tracker Demo
For those of you who'd like to see how a Gen 3 SPOT Tracker works, here's your chance. Also, if you're NOB, this is your opportunity to vicariously
live Baja for the next two weeks. My location is updated every five minutes when I'm moving.
I'll head south 11/6, in the afternoon - this link will be alive thru 11/19:
http://tinyurl.com/mbdsdt6
I'll be working with COPS Racing during the Mil, roughly between Loreto/San Juanico and La Paz. We'll start prerunning this Sunday, then move into
Race Mode early Friday morning 11/14.
The guys to watch:
- Trophy Truck #50, Zak Langley
- Class 1 #111, Morgan Langley
- Class 10 #1011, John Langley
¡Feliz carreras!
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bajadogs
Super Nomad
Posts: 1064
Registered: 8-28-2006
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Thanks!!! I'm in the market for one before my next solo moto trip so this will be cool to check out. Have a safe trip.
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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awesome, have fun down there.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6004
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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Has 'Spot' changed their policy of only working with annual contracts for service? I usually only spend about six weeks exploring the Peninsula, and
wish they had other packages available.
My other complaint about the Gen 2 spot was limited battery life, has that improved?
Third concern was the automatic renewal fee unless you are pro-active in confirming canceling service. Having said all that, I still have to ask
myself, 'How many times would spot have to get me out of a jam to be worth the annual contract?'.
G.L.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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AK it's a little more that having them get you out. With a spot you can keep your family aware of your location anywhere you go. If you need help the
help button, not the SOS button, will notify your family and friends you need help but it's not a life or death issue. Maybe car trouble for example.
I spend a lot of time in the Mojave desert mostly Death Valley and surrounding area as well as Baja. For a little more than $100 per year I think it's
well worth it. Besides when some of my friends see where I'm at they get jealous.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6004
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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TW, Thanks for the input, I am leaning that way! I have one more question about their service. Do you know of any failures of service or coverage
that have caused false alarms for people following the track, when it suddenly disappears for a few days?
Also the envy thing might be a way to get some of those followers to join me!
G.L.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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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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Just once
| Quote: | Originally posted by AKgringo
I still have to ask myself, 'How many times would spot have to get me out of a jam to be worth the annual contract?'.
G.L. |
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6004
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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Bajaguy, Yeah, I know, once is plenty. I left that pin standing so someone could pick up a spare. Good shot!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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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 Batteries
AK - I use Lithium batteries and change out depending on my use pattern. Carry several sets as spares. Have a Gen 3, prior to that a Gen 1. Don't
leave home without it!!
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StuckSucks
Super Nomad
Posts: 2318
Registered: 10-17-2013
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YES to what bajaguy and TW said - it's not just for emergencies. I can send an "I'm OK" text and email to my wife, so really it's about peace of mind.
The Gen 3's batteries last much longer than the 1 or 2, and I can also plug it into the cig lighter. I've owned a SPOT since they launched, I've never
used the SOS button, but it's good to know it's there. Considering the remote places I end up, the price is worth it (to me).
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6004
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retireded
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Well I appreciate getting my questions answered by folks who are using Spot!
I hope they are sponsoring you, you just sold some units!
Prior to finding the Nomad Forum, I had a hard time finding someone who had good things to say about the trackers, but I suppose contented people
aren't heard from as much.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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OCEANUS
Nomad
Posts: 139
Registered: 10-11-2008
Location: Dana Point; L.A. Bay
Member Is Offline
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Good news for prospective Spot buyers. Their products are 50% off until January 1st, 2015! Here's a link to their site which will issue you a rebate
code prior to purchase:
http://www.findmespot.com/en/
One of the products featured at 50% off is their Spot satellite phone. Do any Nomads have any experience using their phones?
I usually rent an Iridium satellite phone and buy a minutes package for the field study I run with my students to Bahia de Las Animas. It works fine,
but it can be costly. I'm looking into the option of buying my own unit, and just buying one of the smaller Spot monthly plans for service. I would
appreciate feedback from any Nomads who have heard of/used this product.
Thanks!
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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A good experience using the spot and how BajaNomads pitched in to help, read this. http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=49180
It's the story how Mike Younghusband got into a jam with Donkay and his dog along the coast below El Rosario and sent a help message from Spot. DavidK
relayed the message and several Nomads took it from there including Baja Gringo and Baja Cactus and others.
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StuckSucks
Super Nomad
Posts: 2318
Registered: 10-17-2013
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Mulege
Spent the night in Mulege - saw no mosquitoes (I was terrified at all the mosquito-speak about the place). Drove down from San Felipe, saw Coco, then
out to Highway 1 - no big deal. Headed to Loreto shortly. As others have said, this place is GREEN.
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John M
Super Nomad
Posts: 1914
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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Loosing the Spot signal
A friend, (and ultra runner) uses Spot on the events she does in sometimes remote areas. She's used it on many long distance and multi-day runs and
only once did it simply quit working inexplicably. It just stopped functioning for a period of several hours then started working again.
As I said, it's only a one time occurrence over many years of use.
It sure provides peace of mind for her crew during these races.
John M
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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Tecate or Pacifico. no question these are valuable gadgets, given the choice im hearing alot of folks opting for the DeLorme InReach mainly for the
2way messaging. anyone test drove one of these?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64743
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Pappy Jon uses the DeLorme InReach device and it allows him to include a short message with his daily GPS location. The maps that InReach uses are
great, too.
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3059
Registered: 5-21-2013
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Good to mention Inreach
For those who are interested here are some links
http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/inreachse.php
http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/inreachse_extreme...
http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/inreach-smartphon...
http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/subscription-plan...
I don’t have one, but it appears that a second device with a keyboard connected via Bluetooth would be a necessity?? BTW Delorme has a device that
connects via Bluetooth to certain SPOT devices.
Maybe someone can detail the devices and cost for us all?
SPOT
Read about
http://www.findmespot.com/downloads/SPOT_2_User_Guide_V2_pri...
Here is how the pricing works
https://findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=103
BTW I use the original SPOT Messenger with the tracking option. Works fine and I get several years of use from the Lithium batts. My cost is 335.86
for 2 years service with basic plan $14/month
The main difference between Spot 3 and the original SPOT is when you stop moving the SPOT turns off with the 3 then resumes when you move. I like
the thing to be on all the time.
Spot issues based on 5 years experience:
Text messages from Baja never work and Cell phone contact wont work. Email message do work. Never used SOS.
Batteries: yes I carry spares, but I get many hours of red light warning and it still works with the low batt.
Huge drawback with SPOT is you have to program email addresses before your trip using your computer. It does not do much good to need help in Baja
with US addresses. So for each trip one needs local help addresses pre-programmed. It’s really bad when you forget.
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StuckSucks
Super Nomad
Posts: 2318
Registered: 10-17-2013
Member Is Offline
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Preran from Insurgentes to La Paz today - we drive up in the morning and repeat tomorrow. Punta Conejo was spectacular as usual - saw the french hippy
chick who lives there.
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