Hi, One of the reasons I love this list because of the many useful tidbits of information. Case in point, yesterday’s mention of the DeLorme inReach SE satellite communicator. I did a quick look at it features compared to my presently owned SPOT Messenger, and I find that the InReach provides all and much more including two-way texting and location pings. Location pings are real time location requests from followers via website (which sends out request to satellite->device for location info). Add to that lithium rechargeable batteries and MONTHLY subscriptions which SPOT has stopped doing. Also, not that it matters to most, but InReach provides 100% global coverage whereas SPOT is limited to near land masses (i.e. don’t expect to cross the Atlantic or go to Hawaii with SPOT coverage).
I only wished I knew about the InReach a month ago, as I just renewed my SPOT subscription for $160 ($149.99 + $9.99 hidden network service fee). I would have gladly have purchased a new DeLorme inReach SE ($224 REI free ship) and purchased the Rec. plan $35/month. It would have only cost me an extra $99. For sure I will NOT be renewing with SPOT. On another note, I have been using the free site SpotWalla.com to manage my SPOT tracks. For those not familiar with SpotWalla.com, SpotWalla is a secure personal location manager that supports a wide range of satellite-based tracking devices from SPOT and DeLorme as well as any Android and iOS device running Bubbler GPS or SWConnect respectively. One creates a free account on SpotWalla and links their device (i.e. a device provide web interface). When one has an active trip, SpotWalla periodically (~ every 10 minutes) polls the device interface for new track information and stores the data which then be display via many formats. Here is a link to SPOT data from a recent trip: https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=1089857234acb0b72e - Paul E. 1981 C&C 38 Landfall S/V Johanna Rose Carrabelle, FL http://svjohannarose.blogspot.com/ > On May 25, 2016, at 7:46 PM, [email protected] wrote: > > Date: Wed, 25 May 2016 18:57:13 -0400 > From: "Rick Brass" <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> > To: <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> > Subject: Re: Stus-List Spot tracker > Message-ID: <[email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > The SPOT is also a $112 EPIRB. > > > > OK. OK. Not really. > > > > But if you have to ditch and push the SOS button it sends your information to > the same SAR site in Houston that gets your info from an EPIRB. They then > call your emergency contact, and then the Coast Guard ? or whatever the > closest SAR agency is (if you?re in the Bahamas or Belize for example). Same > process as an EPIRB. IIRC the SPOT continues to send out your location for 24 > or 48 hours. > > > > The annual fee used to be $99, but goes to $149 next month. The added feature > you get for the money is tracking. Old system used to send a message with > your location and a Google Map to a pre-established list of email and text > addresses when you pushed the check in button. The new Tracking system will > send your location at an interval you select to a website. You can give > people the URL and they can track your progress. I think you can also have > the track automatically sent to your Facebook page, etc. > > > > BTW, if you use Active Captain, the SPOT will also keep your location updated > on AC Locations if you turn that on. > > > > I got my SPOT gen 1 on closeout at West Marine for like $40 when the Gen 2 > came out. I?ve used it to track deliveries and a couple of trips to Bermuda, > and to let friends know where I was when I spent a couple of months in the > Chesapeake a while ago. > > > > I?m not sure I?ll actually use the Tracking feature, but I?m a happy SPOT > user. >
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