Ham VS Spot

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Originally Posted by TooeleCherokee

My biggest problem with SPoT is.. What if you start out a 5 day trip.. you send your test signal when you start and all is good.. Then on that same day your wife looses the Credit card that the SPOT service is billed to and the bill comes the next day.. by day 3 you have no service and you have no way to know this.. on Day 5 you get in a world of hurt and push the 911 option.. and well nothing happens because if you don't have paid service nothing will work at all... and you think you have help on the way and nothing is coming.. long shot ya.. crappier things have happened in the world though I figure at least with a HAM radio you at least know if you got out because someone said something back to you...

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If that is your biggest problem then you really have nothing to worry about.
Geos is the company that you buy the insurance from $8 a person, definitely recommended, you can add your family on as well up to 6 people total for $8 a person.
See their bunker in houston TX here
http://www.geosalliance.com/IERCC.html. They guarantee that they will be able to provide SAR services if local authorities cant.

On June 1st I signed up some more members on my account to be covered for the Geos insurance. While searching their website I read somewhere that they will still provide the services even if your subscription runs out. Mabey they will make you pay the premium back to when your account lapsed or mabey they will make you pay the bill for the rescue. Either way you are still alive.
I couldn't find it again but mabey you could do some legwork and look around the sites. I don't remember if it was the geos site or the spot site.

I thought about looking it up for you but you are being too much of an ass. Seriously, why do you think you can talk to others that way. Very rude. Especially since he was just trying to help out. There is blunt and then there is being a jerk. You weren't being blunt you were being a jerk. I would seriously look into why you act that way. Mabey just a bad day at work and you blew up or mabey you need anger management classes possibly could be that you just don't have good manners.

I like HAM & CHEESE.

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Originally Posted by accadacca

I like HAM & CHEESE.

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Scott, why is the site so slow? And I can't login... help :lol8:

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Originally Posted by Jaxx

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Originally Posted by TooeleCherokee

My biggest problem with SPoT is.. What if you start out a 5 day trip.. you send your test signal when you start and all is good.. Then on that same day your wife looses the Credit card that the SPOT service is billed to and the bill comes the next day.. by day 3 you have no service and you have no way to know this.. on Day 5 you get in a world of hurt and push the 911 option.. and well nothing happens because if you don't have paid service nothing will work at all... and you think you have help on the way and nothing is coming.. long shot ya.. crappier things have happened in the world though I figure at least with a HAM radio you at least know if you got out because someone said something back to you...

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If that is your biggest problem then you really have nothing to worry about.
Geos is the company that you buy the insurance from $8 a person, definitely recommended, you can add your family on as well up to 6 people total for $8 a person.
See their bunker in houston TX here
http://www.geosalliance.com/IERCC.html. They guarantee that they will be able to provide SAR services if local authorities cant.

On June 1st I signed up some more members on my account to be covered for the Geos insurance. While searching their website I read somewhere that they will still provide the services even if your subscription runs out. Mabey they will make you pay the premium back to when your account lapsed or mabey they will make you pay the bill for the rescue. Either way you are still alive.
I couldn't find it again but mabey you could do some legwork and look around the sites. I don't remember if it was the geos site or the spot site.

I thought about looking it up for you but you are being too much of an ass. Seriously, why do you think you can talk to others that way. Very rude. Especially since he was just trying to help out. There is blunt and then there is being a jerk. You weren't being blunt you were being a jerk. I would seriously look into why you act that way. Mabey just a bad day at work and you blew up or mabey you need anger management classes possibly could be that you just don't have good manners.

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1. I have done some legwork and looked around the sites.. you are saying that they will still provide service but it is not on their site so I really don't think that is so true. Looking for real world experiences not generalities and what the company says is true.

2. I already admitted to Being an ASS so I don't need your help on the manners front Dad :)

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Originally Posted by TooeleCherokee

1. I have done some legwork and looked around the sites.. you are saying that they will still provide service but it is not on their site so I really don't think that is so true. Looking for real world experiences not generalities and what the company says is true.

2. I already admitted to Being an ASS so I don't need your help on the manners front Dad :)

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This is starting to look like a troll in action. You've received plenty of feedback. Even the SAR folks I've ridden with carry a SPOT in conjunction with their HAM radio.

I wouldn't even think about leaving home without my SPOT. I've yet to encounter an area (other than the obvious caves, mines, etc) where I couldn't get a message out ("I'm Okay, just checking in").

At this point, I believe you've received sufficient feedback and if you're not trolling, the rest is up to your personal preference and ultimate purchase.

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Originally Posted by BruteForce

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Originally Posted by TooeleCherokee

1. I have done some legwork and looked around the sites.. you are saying that they will still provide service but it is not on their site so I really don't think that is so true. Looking for real world experiences not generalities and what the company says is true.

2. I already admitted to Being an ASS so I don't need your help on the manners front Dad :)

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This is starting to look like a troll in action. You've received plenty of feedback. Even the SAR folks I've ridden with carry a SPOT in conjunction with their HAM radio.

I wouldn't even think about leaving home without my SPOT. I've yet to encounter an area (other than the obvious caves, mines, etc) where I couldn't get a message out ("I'm Okay, just checking in").

At this point, I believe you've received sufficient feedback and if you're not trolling, the rest is up to your personal preference and ultimate purchase.

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Just becouse someone doesn't agree or is an Ass doesn't mean they are a Troll.. There have been few posts with actual specific information you may take the "Ford is better than Chevy" as fact without proofs but I for one dont.. thank you for your opinion it has been enlightening :)

Xbox is better than Playstation!!!! :popcorn:

I love a good SPOT thread. I find it funny how many fanboys there are for this device.

I have been researching SPOT as well - it may work, but it won't replace common sense, and is FAR from perfect. If you are trusting your life to the thing, then bad things are going to happen anyway.

Does the SPOT have any default Emergency mode after a time of no pushing of buttons? The reason I ask is if I needed one, most of the time I could see myself being unconcsious and unable to push the button. I still may buy one for the "Just in Case" and a little more peace of mind - I have noticed that you don't need to buy the annual service, but can pay month to month for $10.

Wow! what is up with SPOT haters? Don't like it, don't buy it, honestly

:roll:

No, SPOT will not rescue your ass when you are unconscious
No, SPOT will not replace your girlfriend's credit cards
No, SPOT will not beam a fat dude to summon a rescue for you
No, SPOT will not revive you when you lose conscious/drown/fall off the mountain/break your leg/crack your head open/give birth/whatever
No, SPOT will not let you cyber to your boyfriend while you are in the woods
No, SPOT will not magically do any of the "blank insert here" scenarios you spot haters will come up with

However, SPOT WILL notify my family that I am still OK and WILL show them where my last location was that I (I repeat I myself in conscious state with my own finger) sent an OK message. For that, I do pay $100 a month, that's $8.30 a month for my wife/mom to know that I am OK, instead of trying to guess and worry.

Again...
:roll:

This is the toy my kid gave me on my trip, that is my tent I sleep in, the box contains my essentials on the trip with a first aid kit in a waterproof container (holding matches, emergency blinket, etc) and there is my other tool ... SPOT... among other valuable tools/items I carry with me on my trips.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3308/...9018c2e5_o.jpg

If you have it on the tracking mode it sends a signal out every 10-15 min. The people on your list should have access to your map. They way I have set it up is....

My mom is my main women. Before I start my ride I send an OK signal. Then after it is sent I put it on track. When I am done I send a second OK signal. This way she knows I made it off my ride safely. If I don't send that second signal she knows something is up. She can check the map and see where my SPOT sent its last signal.

Granted the longest ride I have been on is 4 hours and she has to know approximately how long the rides are to be to know when she should panic. But again that is good communication to your back up plan or whatever you want to call it. At least they will know my location. I may not be able to hit the emergency button, but if you are out you can't use the HAM either.

Our deal is when camping I send an OK in the morning and an OK at night. This doesn't mean she should panic if she doesn't get the OK's just if I don't come home when I say then panic. Again she has some clue as to where she should start looking.

I have taught my kids what they need to do if we are hiking or biking and something happens. Very easy for them to understand.

I just got mine, haven't used it a ton. My biggest gripe is for some reason my browser doesn't mesh with their website and I have problems updating my messages or changing who I want to send my OK and track messages too. That annoys me. I have to delete my cookies everytime I want to change anything.

All I know is after falling off my bike last year and knocking myself out when I was biking all by myself on a trail less travled, it gives my mother a peace of mind and that is worth every penny. I have never truly been on her shit list until my sister tattled on me that day. Pretty sad when your 35. :lol8:

Good example :2thumbs:

I got my mother so trained that she almost called S&R on me last Monday. She thought I was coming back from my rafting trip on Sunday. I was sending OK messages every night, just like blueeyes, but then I was lazy and didn't send one on Monday. My poor mom didn't sleep all night calling all my friends in a panic. Luckily, I sent her an OK msg when I packed my boat and was on my way home, but still out of cell reception.

I wasn't being a jackass about my unconscious question - it was genuine. The reason I asked is because I have read that it has that feature and have been told that by users as well - that it will alert the 911 automatically if the device isn't activated after a long period of time or some sort of thing - but couldn't find it on the official SPOT website. Thanks for your answer.

The SPOT website is also offering a free device for 2 years of service. Another reason I talked about the $10/month is that some of us are only in need of the device for a couple of months of the year - I never go soloing or do much other stuff during the winter. The month to month is very attractive.

The internet is full of stories where the family calls SAR because the Help button was pushed inadvertently - that is my worst nightmare as the SPOT could be worse than before. The piece of mind for the family is good - but if an OK doesn't go through, then it is worse for them than before having the device. If an accidental "Help" goes out - I would feel terrible.

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Originally Posted by brookiekiller

Does the SPOT have any default Emergency mode after a time of no pushing of buttons? .

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No, thinking about this I don't want this feature, I'd get busy, forget and SAR would show up.

It does have a tracking mode so someone following your position can make a supposition that you have been in the same place for too long so perhaps you are unconcious.

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The internet is full of stories where the family calls SAR because the Help button was pushed inadvertently - that is my worst nightmare as the SPOT could be worse than before.

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Really? never heard of this. I talk with the SPOT people about once a month and this has NEVER been mentioned as a problem. I'd like to read the stories you are referring to if you can provide the links. Donnie Hatch is the SPOT rep for our area, you can call if you like and verify. I have his number.

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The piece of mind for the family is good - but if an OK doesn't go through, then it is worse for them than before having the device. If an accidental "Help" goes out - I would feel terrible.

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Yuo have to seriously press and hold the buttons to make them work.
There is about zero chance of an inadvertant bump activating the "Help" or "911" buttons.

You can turn "Help" off. Just press it again and follow with multiple OK messages. The device inidcates if it has a signal lock on the satellite so its not as if you have no idea if communication is possible or not. I don't believe your scenario is realistic or generally possible except under intentional causes.

BTW there are two kinds of "Help"; "HELP" is only sent to your contacts, no SAR is involved. "911" causes the GEOS center to contact your family to verify that your children are not playing with SPOT before calling SAR.

Is it perfect? Nope. Is it a hell of a lot better than my HAM? No doubt.
Am I going to bet my life on any electronic gadget? Hell no, this aint my first rodeo.

BTW, the morons at SPOT opted for a carry pouch without room to carry extra batteries despite my harping on them to provide room for spares. The only place you can get a pouch that has room for spares is from ATVUtah.com and he only has a few left since the manufacturer stopped making the pouch. Make sure you ask for the pouch that will carry spares.

Thanks Redman.

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Really? never heard of this. I talk with the SPOT people about once a month and this has NEVER been mentioned as a problem. I'd like to read the stories you are referring to if you can provide the links. Donnie Hatch is the SPOT rep for our area, you can call if you like and verify. I have his number.

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http://www.backpacker.com/blogs/234

The Hikers side of the above story:

http://www.backpacker.com/blogs/273

I use this case to carry the spot in. It fits perfectly and I don't have to worry about button pushing. The case is under $20
http://www.thepelicanstore.com/Pelic...Case-1000.aspx

http://www.thepelicanstore.com/showi...45&W=315&H=315

My dad dropped this while riding on a dirtbike on a road. A little while later he realized his backpack was unzipped and the spot had fallen out. A big water truck passed him on the dirt road. The tracks when right over the spot in the pelican case. Lucky for me the soft dirt and the hard case protected the spot. No cracks on the pelican case. Those things are tough!

The buttons really need to be pressed, I agree.

The tracking feature is totally worth the extra $50/year. That Last Known Position really simplifies the SAR, if you're all alone.

I've hiked solo for years, and for the last year I've carried the SPoT. It hasn't saved my life yet, and I don't expect to ever need it, but if I do, it will be worth everything I've spent on it so far.

As a big time solo hiker/backpacker/scrambler/etc., it also gives my wife peace of mind to be able to see where I am each day, and that I'm moving around. First thing in the morning, and last thing at night, I send an "OK" message. When away from a phone for 6 days or so, that means a lot.

It may not be for everyone, but it sure is for me!

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Originally Posted by brookiekiller

Thanks Redman.

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Really? never heard of this. I talk with the SPOT people about once a month and this has NEVER been mentioned as a problem. I'd like to read the stories you are referring to if you can provide the links. Donnie Hatch is the SPOT rep for our area, you can call if you like and verify. I have his number.

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http://www.backpacker.com/blogs/234

The Hikers side of the above story:

http://www.backpacker.com/blogs/273

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Intertesting, he is saying the Help button activated from a slight bump with a heavily gloved finger. I find it difficult to activate at all. I partially blame him for never testing it. It sounds like a manufacturing defect on the unit he had. I will ask Donnie for details.

I use my SPOT weekly and I'm always wearing gloves (hiking, ATV'ing, rappelling). I have NEVER had an accidental HELP/911 hit. I call Bullshit!

Best piece of mind I could have ever purchased. I couple the SPOT with my cell phone and GSRM/FM rated radio (rated at 32miles range).

The only way I'd be screwed is it I was unable to use anything..but there's nothing else that will protect against that (unconscious, etc).

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Originally Posted by BruteForce

I use my SPOT weekly and I'm always wearing gloves (hiking, ATV'ing, rappelling). I have NEVER had an accidental HELP/911 hit. I call Bullshit!

Best piece of mind I could have ever purchased. I couple the SPOT with my cell phone and GSRM/FM rated radio (rated at 32miles range).

The only way I'd be screwed is it I was unable to use anything..but there's nothing else that will protect against that (unconscious, etc).

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Brute force, Which Radio do you have?

When I go alone I make sure someone is willing to periodically check my tracking. I tell them that if I have been stopped for over an hour in one place without sending an OK that they should assume I am in trouble.
I always hit an OK message when I am stopped for any length of time.
If I am there over an hour I hit OK again when I leave that location.
This way they have a way to guage if I might be unconcious from an accident that won't allow me to hit a button.

I only do this when I am alone.

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Originally Posted by RedMan

Brute force, Which Radio do you have?

When I go alone I make sure someone is willing to periodically check my tracking. I tell them that if I have been stopped for over an hour in one place without sending an OK that they should assume I am in trouble.
I always hit an OK message when I am stopped for any length of time.
If I am there over an hour I hit OK again when I leave that location.
This way they have a way to guage if I might be unconcious from an accident that won't allow me to hit a button.

I only do this when I am alone.

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I use the Midland GXT950. It has 7 or 9 channels of FM (HAM) radio. It's worked well over long distances for me.