We use the spot for check ins and emergency back up for boat work and they work great. We also have a satellite phone through SPOT but haven't really had to use it.
On Tue, Mar 28, 2017 at 7:17 PM Bly, Kristy <[email protected]> wrote: > The U.S Forest Service – Flathead National Forest uses SPOT Trackers and > also the Delorme InReach device. The SPOT Tracker are great for emergency > help and check ins, but just for one way communications. They do have a > device that connects to a smart phone and have more functionality with two > way communications (text messages) but I haven't used one. They are fairly > cheap to get and run from $100 or $150 a year for service. It sounds like > the SPOT Gen3s would meet your needs pretty well. The InReach devices are a > little more expensive up front but have different plan options and they > have better options for two way text type messaging. > > > > *From:* Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto: > [email protected]] *On Behalf Of *Reichenborn, Molly > *Sent:* Tuesday, March 28, 2017 3:01 PM > *To:* [email protected] > *Subject:* [ECOLOG-L] Feedback on SPOT devices and suggestions for > requesting emergency aid outside of cell service > > > > I have technicians working in isolated areas without cell phone service in > Kansas, USA. I want the technicians to be able to request emergency (EMS) > and non-emergency aid (e.g. need assistance with stranded vehicle) in these > areas if needed. I’ve been looking into SPOT gen3 units ( > http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=100 > <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.findmespot.com%2Fen%2Findex.php%3Fcid%3D100&data=02%7C01%7Ckristy.bly%40WWFUS.ORG%7Cc120902d4489427262d208d47622db89%7Cdb6aaa89c7f8485186769cc7f73b3411%7C0%7C0%7C636263339496237268&sdata=eIacbXx5qzHNs1yVGQa1qdpOu9eKKf1ovorgxSchS5U%3D&reserved=0>) > and would appreciate feedback from anyone who has used these for > terrestrial fieldwork. I’d like to know how well these devices stands up to > rough handling and weather conditions in the field, if it can send messages > in varied weather conditions (e.g. cloudy days), any issues with the > service plan required for the unit/customer service, and any comments on > emergency or non-emergency personnel response to aid requests from these > devices. > > > > I’d also appreciate suggestions for alternative devices that can provide > these services. The SPOT unit can provide “I’m OK” alerts to check-in with > preset contacts and track movement – these features are preferred, but not > required, for alternative devices. > > > > > > <!-- p {margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0} --> > > Molly M. Reichenborn > > Research Project Manager > > Wichita State University > > Department of Biological Sciences > > [email protected] > > > > > -- Theryn Henkel, Ph.D Assistant Director, Coastal Sustainability Program Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation Office: 504-308-3470 Cell: 812-219-4740 www.saveourlake.org
