Spot trackers - talk to me!

[slowupslowdown-under]

Fitzy tried to explain it a bit on a ride a while back but I was riding and cant recall!

can someone help me??!!

I am thinking about a spot tracker.

I would like one which can be recharged by the SP Dynamo hub (via USB) but that doesn't need a link to a phone ect.

Any options which fit the bill?

Thank you!

[greenmug]

Hi, the Spot gen3 is now available:
(http://www.globaltelesat.co.uk/satphone ... enger.html)

I would go for that even though you can pick up a Gen2 for about £50 on ebay. It has plenty of power advantages over the previous generaion.

The power problem doesn't go away completely though. Something which has caused confusion over the gen3 in the past (search forum for keyword gen3) is that you cannot charge the Spot directly. That is to say, if you put rechargable batteries in it and connect the USB line in, you cannot charge those batteries.

So there are three options available:

1) plenty of rechargable batteries and don't use the USB power hub
2) Use the power hub to charge a spare set as you go along. Use batteries with no wires connected on Spot
3) Use one on the new fangled power adapters that I think has some kind of battery built in such that you can supply a steady current throughout the day, even when you are stopped for pies. The Gen3 allows power line in so you could in theory use this method and have batteries as backup.

Note, if you trip is less than a week I can't see why batteries wouldn't be the best option. Particularly as any charging option means the device might not be in the optimum location on the bike to have clear line of sight with the sky (Spot can be fussy about that).

[ScotRoutes]

3a) Use a standard dynamo but leave batteries in the Spot so that they take over when there is no external power supply.

Just got my Gen3 but I see no reason why this would not work. I'm thinking that the dynamo could power lights at night and Spot3 during the day with the Lithium or NiMH batteries handling any night-time recording.

The only problem I now have is....how to power my GPS :)

[FLV]

I'll jump in with more questions if I may.

If I buy a spot tracker;

1, Do I have to sign up monthly / yearly in order to use the 'check in' and 'emergency' functions
2, Do I have to sign up for people to be able to track me, and do I only sign up to spot?
3, Can I look back over route I did using the Spot tracker to verify ITT's etc.

Thanks

[Ian]

FLV,

1. Yes, subscription is an annual thing. This provides basic emergency/ check-in functions.
2. With Spot 1 & 2, tracking was extra. I think Spot 3 it is included in a (higher) annual subscription.
3. Yes, but Spot deletes the records after 7 days. Using an external service like spotwalla.com (free), downloads them permanently.

[ScotRoutes]

3a) remember that Spot only gives you a grid ref every 10 minutes (you can change frequency with the additional tracking service) so it's not a replacement for a GPS if you want accurate times and distances.

[FLV]

Cheers for the answers. Jurys out on splashing the cash....

My good lady wants me to get one as I ride on my own quite a lot, often in the dark at this time of year.

[DoctorRad]

If you have an Android phone, don't often go out of signal area, and have enough texts to spare, you could use something like this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... sync&hl=en

[composite]

My good lady wants me to get one as I ride on my own quite a lot, often in the dark at this time of year.

This is where I find myself. The cost of the tracker itself; fine. Where I'm struggling is the extra £100+ a year in costs for the subscription.

[Mart]

There are other real time alternatives without going via spot

With a garmin 810 i believe you get the option to upload progress via a phone
or
Phone app - e.g. http://www.insta-mapper.com/
available in all good app stores

[Bearbonesnorm]

This is where I find myself. The cost of the tracker itself; fine. Where I'm struggling is the extra £100+ a year in costs for the subscription.

Same here ... there's a new Spot sat on my desk. It's been there a good couple of years and I'm sure one day I'll register it but there always seems something better / more pressing to spend 100 quid on. I suppose the fact that you spend £100 on something and hope that you never ever use it seems odd

[thomthumb]

My good lady wants me to get one as I ride on my own quite a lot, often in the dark at this time of year.

without phone signal?

My OH uses find my friends (on iphone) to [stalk] track me.

The novelty has worn off so i no longer get " i know you're in the pub" texts!

[ScotRoutes]

There are other real time alternatives without going via spot

With a garmin 810 i believe you get the option to upload progress via a phone
or
Phone app - e.g. http://www.insta-mapper.com/
available in all good app stores

Needs a phone signal and a phone with a charged battery. I prefer to keep my phone charged for when I might actually need to call someone and I'm frequently in areas that have no voice, let alone data, connection.

[ScotRoutes]

My good lady wants me to get one as I ride on my own quite a lot, often in the dark at this time of year.

without phone signal?

Frequently

[ianfitz]

Cheers for the answers. Jurys out on splashing the cash....

My good lady wants me to get one as I ride on my own quite a lot, often in the dark at this time of year.

Yep same here. For me it's worth money as means I can go and ride where I want and know that I'm not worrying them at home.

[JohnClimber]

So does SPOT just send you coordinates to a phone or email?

Or is there a website address anywhere that the OH or mates can view my blue dot as it is been continually displayed?

If so which website is best?

Ta

[Taylor]

Spot has its own website where you can send a link to the OH directly.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Or is there a website address anywhere that the OH or mates can view my blue dot as it is been continually displayed?

https://spotwalla.com/

http://international.findmespot.com/

[kbrembo]

If anyone is looking for a spot gen 3, drop me a line as the company I work for sell them.
I can get them to you for £125
Cheers