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dizzyspots
Senior Nomad
Posts: 603
Registered: 9-22-2008
Location: Mescal AZ
Member Is Offline
Mood: rather be on the beach at Gonzaga
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SPOT messenger alternative
So....I cancelled my SPOT subscription after almost 8 years...another rate increase and lack of customer service or retention efforts...when I called
to cancel...I spoke to 3 different reps...all had an answer of some sort...not a single rep asked if they could do anything to keep me as a
customer...
Any other former SPOT users find an alternative?
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6002
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retireded
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Did you get a written or electronic confirmation that your account is closed?
One of the reasons I did not start an account with them is because of reviews from unhappy customers. Several of them stated that after cancelling
service, Spot dinged their credit card for a renewal anyway. I would not trust a phone cancellation.
Sorry I can not offer another service recommendation.
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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bill erhardt
Super Nomad
Posts: 1372
Registered: 4-2-2005
Location: Loreto, BCS
Member Is Offline
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I subscribe to a satellite phone service. Initially Iridium, and in recent years Inmarsat.
Friends who have moved on from SPOT but don't want to spring for a sat. phone have switched to DeLorme, a Garmin product. I routinely receive DeLorme
messages which provide locations and coordinates on a map, and also an opportunity to communicate by email.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64723
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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DeLorme 'In Reach'
Allows you to exchange short text messages in addition to SOS/ help. Uses better maps to show where you are to those on your list.
http://delorme.com/
http://www.inreachdelorme.com/
[Edited on 8-5-2016 by David K]
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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I got this service this year and I love it...
$150 for the part and $150 a year to use it
tracking up and down baja...this weekend susan was waiting at the ramp for me when I returned...amazing service
I know where my boat is all the time...no more worrying
well worth the money...at least for me
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3288
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tranquilo
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I have the Delorme inreach, I like it.
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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gator
Junior Nomad
Posts: 41
Registered: 8-28-2014
Member Is Offline
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I've been using the delorme inreach for about a year now. So far I'm happy with the service.
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jbcoug
Senior Nomad
Posts: 709
Registered: 9-24-2006
Location: Vancouver, WA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Needing Baja!
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I've used the Delorme for two years now on two trips from WA to Cabo and back. Has worked great, creates an online hstory of where you are and where
you've been. My wife appreciates it and David K has followed it. It's handy for sending short texts or prescripted messages.
\"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.\" Andy Rooney
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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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De lorme has worked great the last couple years. Nice to have 2 way communication if you need it.
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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DK what kind of maps does it show. Spot shows both a road type map and a satellite image which I assumed was from Google Earth. That's what it looks
like anyway, what is better than that?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64723
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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It's a real nice topo map. I have posted examples of it from Ed's track on our Pole Line Road trip. Spot just uses Google Earth as you know.
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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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The Delorme will change from a topo map to Google earth if you zoom in enough.
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KurtG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 1-27-2004
Location: California Central Coast
Member Is Offline
Mood: Press On Regardless!!
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I really like the Delorme but the cost is quite a bit more. I have the original Spot and am unhappy about being forced to pay a higher fee this year
but it still seems to be the most for the money. Since I so often motorcycle solo it is worth it to give my family a little reassurance that I am
still alive and on the move. Never used the 911 function and hope not to but I like having it just in case.
I was just the shuttle driver for a group of friends who did the Trans-Sierra Trail from Sequoia to Whitney Portal where I picked them up. They had
the Delorme and I was impressed with it's ability and it worked well for them to send me text messages along the way. Wish it were a little less
expensive.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64723
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Quote: Originally posted by TMW  |
DK what kind of maps does it show. Spot shows both a road type map and a satellite image which I assumed was from Google Earth. That's what it looks
like anyway, what is better than that? |
The DeLoreme In Reach maps are most enjoyable to view and switch from Satellite (Aerial) to Topo.
Here is a sample, at Puertecitos:
 
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3055
Registered: 5-21-2013
Member Is Offline
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Spot has good images very similar to the InReach above. IMO neither look like Google earth and have better detail. I guess there are other sources for
sat mapping.
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Gulliver
Senior Nomad
Posts: 651
Registered: 11-18-2013
Member Is Offline
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The extra cost of the Delome is more than I can justify. My only reason for having a tracker is so that Barbara will not worry when I'm running late
getting back to Mulege from wandering over to the coast on the bike. I tend to ride too fast heading for the barn so as to not worry her when the sun
is getting low. Much more danger from zooming than from any other risk.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64723
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The two-way communicating on the InReach device is probably the reason for the higher cost.
On the map question, yes they both can show Google Earth views that are the same. But, as I mentioned before, the InReach topo map is more enhanced
than the Spot's.
Spot's then InReach topo maps of the same place:
 
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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those pictures look "old style"
the spot uses google earth too///sat view with labels way better
it identifies businesses too
for the $$$ I think spot has it beat...
if you need messages get a sat phone
most of the cities have cell service for data and telephone calls
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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Haha. Competition is good. Keeps the price of both down.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18071
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Online
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan | those pictures look "old style"
the spot uses google earth too///sat view with labels way better
it identifies businesses too
for the $$$ I think spot has it beat...
if you need messages get a sat phone
most of the cities have cell service for data and telephone calls
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Or just accept wilderness for what it is, an opportunity to be unplugged. If it's your time to die, then it's your time to die. Be a man and do it
w/o texting your demise!
Man up! Put down your electronic security blanket!
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