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Post by eddiep on Oct 2, 2009 14:54:32 GMT -8
I was in West Marine yesterday on Mill Street looking for some boat supplies when I saw they have "SPOT" GPS devices for sale. These are the little orange pager looking things that you can send pre programmed emails to family members, ask for assistance or declare a medical emergency. It communicates through a sattelite system and uses GPS to track your coordinates. It can also plot your route via Google Earth if you want. I've wondered how long I'd have to walk if I landed out somewhere, or worse yet, if I was injured and needed help but could not walk far to get it. Of course the cell phone won't in the middle of nowhere so it's a valid concern. So anyhow they are --$49-- after rebates until the 28th of October I believe. For reference Wings and Wheels has them listed for about $110, other sires as high as 169 (!!). This doesn't include the yearly service fee required to make the unit work of course. Check online if you are interested I can't recall the rate as I'm still just considering this as an option still. If you're a backpacker, camper, or otherwise adventurous soul it may have multiple uses besides the "what if" scenario for soaring. Here is a small video about it www.mypilotstore.com/mypilotstore/sep/5036?qryrmv=1&ppcs=google&ppcg=4-62keyword=spot%20tracker&gclid=CMSdze3UzJ0CFRESawod9HZFrg
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Post by Skimmer on Oct 3, 2009 18:51:20 GMT -8
Spot is a great device! 2 of our pilots used them on a cross country flight across Nevada recently. We were able to follow their progress from a computer in the club house to see how far they had gotten as well as where they were at. We could see at which airport they landed and sent a chase plane soon after. Great device, not as good as a personal ELT that could be activated by g force but still worth it's value.
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Post by eddiep on Oct 3, 2009 19:22:30 GMT -8
I agree regarding the G force option in an ELT - for that we have to spend the dough on a specialized aviation 406 unit (121.5 ELT's are now officially obsolete and SARSAT doesn't even scan for 121.5 anymore). But good news, the prices are coming down on 406's.
Until then I think I may pick up a SPOT unit for the sale price.
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Post by eddiep on Oct 19, 2009 20:35:32 GMT -8
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goose
New Member
Posts: 11
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Post by goose on Oct 29, 2009 8:37:34 GMT -8
I have used one for the past year and really like it, although I think my next purchase will be a PLB (personal locator beacon). One reason SPOT is so cheap right now is that they are coming out with a new model that is more user friendly. www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102
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Post by Skimmer on Nov 1, 2009 22:42:36 GMT -8
I now have a SPOT as gifted by a certain special student. ;D
I registered on the SSA website so anyone can see my progress.
What a great device. I will take it Back country skiing with me this year as well as on my road trips across Nevada and all my power flights too.
Thanks Merlin.
Skimmer
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