Modern Vespa

This afternoon, the lovely and talented Mrs. Jess managed to acquire for me the latest iteration of the Spot II Satellite Messenger. I've been using the first-generation Spot Messenger for about a year and a half now, and have been extremely pleased with what it provides.

Some brief background: The Spot Messenger is a personal tracking device that will, at the press of a button, send a handful of predefined messages, along with your location, to a list of email addresses or phone numbers. You can also use the Spot messenger to ask for emergency assistance, as in "Send emergency responders to my location right now". It does all of this via satellite, so even when cell phones are out of range, the Spot Messenger will still function. It has both a GPS receiver and a satellite transmitter in a rugged waterproof shell.

The new edition, the Spot II, features a much smaller form factor, much faster GPS acquisition, an additional customizable message button, and better clarity of controls than the previous version. While I was generally happy with the original edition of this device, there were some minor shortcomings that the new version has remedied.

I've used the new version for all of five minutes, but already it's clear that it has been improved. Messages get through faster, the controls are easier to understand, and the size reduction is substantial. I love it.

This is, to be sure, a gadget with a very high WAF: Wife Approval Factor. When I go off wandering on my scooter, I take the Spot with me to let Mrs. Jess know that I'm still alive, even when I can't call her. And if I should happen to need emergency help, emergency responders will know my exact location.

And you know, that makes me rest a little easier, too.

Yes, we all know "If momma ain't happy, no one is happy."

Great update, Jess. While I don't get out as far as you Quitters do, due mostly to work (read: time) constraints, I enjoy the occasional long jaunt from time to time. I think having something like this would be good.

Of course, the million dollar question (no pun intended) you didn't answer in your OP is this:

What does one cost?

$150 for the hardware. The previous-gen units are on closeout at $99.

Of course, it has to have service to function. The service starts at $99/Year for the basic package, or $150 for the "continuous tracking" package, which will let you automatically send your position every 10 minutes. On top of that, you can get roadside assistance for another $30/Year.

There is an additional option for Search and Rescue insurance, with a potential $100,000 benefit to cover costs incurred by public or private search and rescue. That was under $10 / year additional charge. So yeah, I got that.

This is high on my list of new toys. Pill would go down easier had I not spilled beer on my MBP and cost myself a shit ton though.

It can wait, but 2010 seems to be asking for it. Hah.

Wow! That would be perfect on Paros. Sometimes Mrs Aviator doesn't know if I'm traveling clockwise or counter clockwise on the one main road here. Would make things much simpler.

Sounds like a good accessory for folks who live where there are more roads, however.

Al

I saw that attached to the handlebars of your scoot in some picture and wondered what it was. Is there anything to stop passers by from just pressing the "help" button? Perhaps you could treat your self to a new watch to - the Breitling Emergency.

I don't leave it on the bike. It's mounted via a RAM quick-release cradle, and I just put the Spot under the seat when I walk away from the bike.

Wow, I didn't know about those kinds of devices. I can see why Ms. J would want you to have one....helps out with the peace of mind!

Has RAM released a new cradle for the smaller SPOT?

Announced, but not released: Spot II Ram Mount

Available for pre-order at my favorite RAM-Mount dealer: GPS City Ram Mount for Spot II Messenger.

I know you might be joking about the watch, but I'd recommend against it. 121.5 MHz is quickly going away as a beacon monitoring freq. It is being replace by 406 MHz. The watch you mention is a 121.5 MHz beacon only.

As a competitive sailplane pilot, I carry both a SPOT and a Personal ELT on my parachute as well as an ELT in my plane. The SPOT is probably more useful for all but the most dire emergencies since it allows near realtime tracking of location and non-emergency messages to be sent. Thankfully, I've never had to use my ELT or SPOT for an emergency, but have used the SPOT when I've landed in a place without cell phone coverage and needed to have my ground crew come pick me up.

SPOTS are great for hiking, flying, riding and all sorts of things and as Jess and others mention, they give the rest of the family a certain peace of mind that is priceless.

Those of us that travel Via human power as well as motorized should be aware that the new version weighs about 2oz (~60gm) less.

MRS Jess is one smart lady.
Until I can afford such a device, I must content myself with this:



The wristband costs $19 and the online service is $10 per year. I have inputted 5 contacts into my list, including my boss, my parents and the ex (who has my durable power of attorney for healthcare). It also has my primary MD contact info, drug allergies, etc.

I wear it so much I think I have to replace this band already. I also have a shoe-tag version for my bicycle shoes.

It's not the same as sending EMT personnel to my location with the push of a button, but at least if I am unconscious, they can get important information by either going to the website, or calling on the phone and entering the code and PIN.

I was joking about the watch - I can't stand Breitlings. I fly para-motors myself but I never carry any emergency stuff - apart from sandwiches for longer flights. On the few occasions the motors died (on longer trips I sometimes run out of fuel) then I just pick a nice farm house and land nearby. I always get a cup of tea and biscuits and often get a lift back in the tractor to my take off point. You don't get that with the coast guard

how often do you have to charge the unit?

Never. The new one runs on 3 lithium AAA batteries that will last for at least an entire riding season, or 110 days on continuous standby mode.

The previous model runs on 2 lithium AA batteries, with similar standby capability.

I've changed the batteries exactly once, and then only because I was going on a multi-day trip and I wanted to be sure the unit would continue to function.

As a reference, I used the older unit all day every day on Cannonball, plus the riding season leading up to Cannonball, plus half of the next riding season, all on one set of batteries. Battery use on these things is a virtual non-issue.

Just put it on my Christmas list.

Wayne B

Bleubelle- This is a pretty cool low cost idea. Thanks for posting.

Kent

I love the new technology. Lynda purchased me one of these years ago.



I am going to look into these new things, my ankle hurts.

SDG

Thanks for the reminder about Spot!

Question: Does this need to live in the aforementioned cradle to work properly, or can you just stick it in a jacket pocket or even the top case?

Yes, I know if it's in the top case it might be difficult to trigger the emergency functions, but that might also be true no matter where you put it if there was a wreck. I'm thinking more along the lines of a breakdown out of cell range or, if Mr. Quip and I share one, the person on the "adventure" ride takes it with so the other can follow along.

The cradle is just a 3rd-party piece of plastic. It will work without it. However, it does need to have a clear view of the sky to receive GPS signals and transmit the message signals. If you only intend to use it for occasional emergencies like breakdowns, though, it can be turned off and under your seat until you need it.

It will probably be able to transmit / receive from inside the topcase, if the unit is aimed upwards properly. I wouldn't count on it, though. GPS signals are notoriously weak, and who knows how much power the transmitter has.

(Resurrecting this thread to coincide with improved support for Spot emails)

So it's been almost a year since I started this topic, and I figured now would be a good time to post an update.

The initial batch of Spot II Messengers (which I think are "officially" called the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger) had a battery life problem, and they recalled the entire first production run and replaced them all with new units. Mine was included in that recall, what with me being an early adopter. As much as that was an annoyance, I have to give credit to the company for recognizing the problem and pro-actively remedying it at great expense.

I'm still very much pleased with the size reduction of the new model, as the old one was fairly bulky. The speed of GPS acquisition is very much appreciated too, and the time from power-on to receiving a message at the other end seems to have improved vs. the old model. It is still subject to the vagaries of satellite transmission, of course, and so sometimes it still takes a few minutes longer.

After having used it for quite a while, though, I do have a few nits to pick with the new design, all of which are entirely related to the button layout of the device. The old unit had a notoriously difficult user interface, largely because the buttons and LEDs were overloaded with too many functions. It was never really totally clear what the LEDs were indicating on the old unit, and the OK button was also the Track button, depending on how long the button was held down.

The new unit remedies those problems with additional dedicated buttons, additional LEDs behind each button, and clearer multi-color (green and red) LED functionality. That's the good news.

The bad news is that the buttons are now flush with the unit, and must be pressed down very, very deeply into the unit to activate them. With gloves on, this is nearly impossible to do while riding. The previous generation was quite easy to activate while riding, and I suspect that the new unit was made deliberately harder so as to prevent accidental activation. I understand the motivation, but it is at the expense of use on a motorcycle or scooter.

Additionally, the Help and SOS buttons have been placed behind little tabs that you must flip down to access. This is good in that it (again) prevents accidental presses, but bad in that it completely prevents one from getting to those buttons if the device happens to be in the RAM-Mount cradle, mounted to the handlebars. One could call this a fault of the device or a fault of the RAM-Mount cradle, or perhaps a fault of both. Either way, it's a bit of a problem. When you're lying in a ditch with a broken arm, getting the unit out of the cradle so you can press the SOS button is a bit much.

One could remove the safety tabs on the Help and SOS buttons, but unlike the rest of the buttons, these are very easy to press without the safety tabs in place. The last thing I need is to have a search-and-rescue team come and find me on a trip to the grocery store.

Summary
To be sure, the new Spot II Messenger is a good device, and it is genuinely useful out in the field. I rarely go on any long ride without it, and my wife definitely appreciates the functionality it provides. It really does work as advertised. That said, it's just a little harder to use than the previous generation because of the buttons, and that's a shame for a second-generation product.

To keep Mrs. Chukstr happy, I use "GPS Tracker" on my iPhone. It is free, and no service fees. Okay, it doesn't do the e-mail thing, but hey, it's free.

All true, and free is good.

Unfortunately, phone-based systems don't work where there's no cell-phone coverage, and that's frequently a problem for me. If you tend to ride in areas with good cell coverage, then no problem. The main thrust of the Spot messenger is that it is entirely satellite based, and works almost anywhere in the world.

to help the button pressing issue try some of those self stick rubber bumpers used on furniture and cabinet doors. this should raise the button height to make it easier with gloves.

I'm glad you resurrected this thread.

On a recent scooter trip I once again found myself camping in an area with no cell phone coverage. It's not so bad if you know ahead of time that there's no service...You tell the wife and she's not worried when you don't check in.

This was one of those times when my previous call to my wife was "I'll call you when I get to the campground." No service. Crap. Luckily I found a payphone at the camp office and was able to get a message through.

On the same trip I ventured along some forested walking trails late in the afternoon. I turned back early...I was the only person out there and my hike was a side trip. No one knew where I was and no one was likely to find me until the next day if I injured myself.

So, I bought a Spot II today.

Damn hard to find one, at least the II's. Luckily, one of the local REI's had a few in stock. I wanted to buy one someplace I could return it to if there was a problem.

The black and silver would look cool on my scoot, but I got the orange because, after all, it is an emergency device.

Yeah me too, especially on AT&T. Got to love the bay area.

As I find myself traveling farther and farther away from home I am strongly considering the Spot II. Questions though...

I use the "bread crumb" feature on my GPS to track where I have been for my records. Other than being a little more convenient is there any other advantage of dishing out the extra $50 for the tracking feature of there service?

I know the device will send out a personal "ok" message to a list of contacts I create and that this could be an email or a text but is there a limit to how many contacts you can have?

Also can you have the message and map appear on your Facebook page or forum thread?

Just trying to get some real intel from actual users of the device in the application I intend to use it on before I take the plunge...

Post of the day!

Some quick answers:

1) I don't think the tracking option is worth it, no. I never use it, even though I have it. Your money is much better spent on the medivac insurance option.

2) not sure how many contacts and emails you can have. I've used as many as five or so.

3) No idea about FB integration. But it's got full MV integration.

I didn't sign up for the automatic tracking either. (Like Jess said, get the insurance instead. ) I just hit the "OK" button whenever I stop for food or gas, or more often if I decide to deviate from my intended route. I use the other programmable message button only when I've arrived at my destination for the day, usually my campsite, which usually doesn't have cell phone service.

I don't know what the limit is on the number of email/cell phone that can be notified. I do believe there is a limit on the amount of messages or texts you can send...it's a pretty high number, though. Honestly, I don't want too many people to be informed of my progress or location. They'd probably get pretty tired of all those emails and texts after a while anyway. So it's just the wife who gets the texts and the emails.

What's better is the shared web page that shows your location whenever you send. You can send a link to anyone who may be interested your trip and they can bookmark it and view it anytime they want. I'm sure you could put that link on any social page you like.

I don't use the device often, just when I'm out on long trips or out hiking. It's worth having, though. If you need it, one time pays for all.

Wow, I'm glad this thread was brought back from the grave.

My 80km (each way) daily commute takes me through a lot of unpopulated areas with no cell coverage... and sketchy security.

In addition to the possibility of an accident or flat tire, in this part of the world there is the (remote) chance of a terror attack.

I'm off to their web site. Thanks Jess!

Thanks guys for the additional info.

Hey Four And Six!

You can always setup an email group forward list, depending on your service provider, to handle more than 5 alerts.

And... for a six pack of Coors light, I'll program you something to make it update your social media location. Out of the box, SPOT plays well with Yahoo's FireEagle, from there easy to push location data to any API. This is how I created the tracking system on the Cannonball. I am perfecting it for 2012!

(BTW, Lisa & I will be in NYC Friday, if you want to grab lunch. Short notice.)

Dude, all that computer talk gives me a headache. But I will definately being asking you questions.

What time where you thinking on Friday and where? I work on the east side (26th Street and First Ave). I should be able to steal a couple of hours during midday...