Article by Pat Schrawder
ANOTHER METHOD OF COMMUNICATING
Last week we talked about Person Locator Beacon (PLB) units. They are designed as emergency locating devices, but there is another device that is primarily designed for tracking. It is called the “SPOT”.
Small and battery operated, it is similar to the PLB except that it has an on-going subscription fee and it communicates totally by GlobalStar, one of the companies involved in the satellite communications business. The PLB operates with three avenues; direct satellite, 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz. For purposes of this article, let’s take a closer look at the “SPOT” device and it’s capabilities.
Spot devices come in a few forms. The most popular SPOT satellite GPS Messenger retails for $149.99 and currently has a $50 mail-in rebate until the end of the year. Along with the device cost is the requirement for a subscription ranging from $99/yr to $169.99/yr. SPOT units offer several, but not necessarily all, of the following features depending on the device and the subscription plan chosen:
SOS: Activate the SOS mode to begin sending your GPS location to the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) every 5 minutes. The IERCC notifies the appropriate 911 responder. You can also send the signal to your selected contacts and add a custom message to update responders of your condition. With the use of SPOT Connect, you can pair your Bluetooth compatible Smartphone or iPad to use when you are out of regular cell phone coverage.
HELP: Use the Help mode to send either custom Type & Send or Predefined messages to recipients in your contact list for non-life threatening assistance. You must set-up pre-defined messages and a list of contacts in advance. When Help is activated, SPOT sends your GPS location and the Help message you choose through the SPOT satellite network every 5 minutes for 1 hour or until cancelled. Your contacts will receive an SMS text message including coordinates or an email with a link to Google Maps™ showing your location.
CHECK-IN/OK: Use Check-in/OK mode to send your messages and your location to friends and family. These messages can also be sent to your Facebook and Twitter accounts. Just like the Help mode, your GPS location is sent along with the Check-in/OK message you choose through the SPOT satellite network. However, it is only sent 3 times over 20 minutes, or until canceled.
TRACK PROGRESS: Start/stop tracking by using the SPOT Connect App. You can mark a Reference Point or send Check-in/OK messages from specific locations while in Track Progress mode. Then, create a SPOT Shared Page allowing you to share your GPS route with your friends and family in near real time on the web through a personal link. You can make your Shared Page private or public.
TYPE & SEND: Use SPOT Connect to send custom email and text messages via satellites to your contacts. Create up to 41 character SOS, Help and Check-in/OK messages. Messages will be sent directly to the contact groups you select via email or SMS and/or post custom messages on Twitter and Facebook.
The unit measures 3” x 2.6” x 1.2” and weighs 4.9 oz. It has a Bluetooth range of 30 ft and a GPS accuracy of 32.8 ft. It is compatible with the Apple iPod and iPhone as well as some versions of the Android. The stated battery life specs are somewhat confusing. SPOT recommends using 2 AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium 8X batteries and estimates a battery life of 11 days not connected and 5 days connected. Four days in the SOS mode and 260 Check-In messages. Note: I found the battery life specifications to be very confusing.
Also somewhat confusing is the yearly subscription fee. It appears to range from $99.99 to $169.99, but your best bet would be to contact the manufacturer at www.findmespot.com with your exact requirements and get a quote.
The fact that this unit depends on GlobalStar for their satellite signals means that you must rely on the strength of that company, and they have had some financial difficulties over the years, although they say that they are financially solid at this point.
At first glance, this unit may seem to take the place of a satellite phone, but it does not. You can only send email or SMS text messages. You cannot talk back and forth.
Still, for what it is designed to do, the manufacturer appears to have put a lot of thought behind this device and its system.
Pat and her husband, Larry are owners of L&L Marine Electronics on Golf Course Road in West Ocean City, MD.
