Does everyone use the above trackers when out packing ? Cost of the unit seems ok but annual subscription seems steep although not if have an emergency while out I know !

I use mine if I'm out in remote areas but not for general day to day riding. It's more peace of mind for Mrs512 than anything else

Blair512 wrote:I use mine if I'm out in remote areas but not for general day to day riding. It's more peace of mind for Mrs512 than anything else

Ditto (but for Mrs G, rather than Mrs512 )

Yes, it's not cheap, but it's worth it for me to alleviate some of the wife's concerns.

Not a tracker, but I have a fastfind 220 plb for when out in the middle of nowhere on my own. Only use for an actual emergency where you or some one is conscious to trigger it.

Do you all use only when out solo as there will be 3 of us when we go

You could rent one...

https://sites.google.com/site/trackmyadventure

Mine sits ont' top of the bookshelf in my office so I always know where it is

If I'm going overnight, I'll take my Gen3 and use it. Keeps Mrs Scattamah happy to know that I'm moving each day and haven't died during the night.

Greetz

S.

Think of the monthly fee as two pints. To potentially save your life, I think that's cheap.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Mine sits ont' top of the bookshelf in my office so I always know where it is

Me too!

Took it on one trip last year and forgot to use it most of that trip.

Looks nice in the drawer next to the Gen 1 unit I never remember to sell!

If anyone has 1 they want to sell might be interested between us

I'm going to get one this year. Having disappeared "off grid" for a few days in September, when I turned the mobile phone on after four days I had lots of missed calls and texts. Facebook was funnier with wifey and her friends worried sick. It wasn't the first time and probably won't be the last.

Apparently, don't worry if you worry if you don't hear from me a few days doesn't mean exactly that.

Garmin have just released a combined GPS/sat tracker

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/01/lau ... lorer.html

jam bo wrote:Garmin have just released a combined GPS/sat tracker

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/01/lau ... lorer.html

interesting perhaps next year they will have a spot like device. I've just found out I will get slugged with this spot maintenance surcharge next renewal. Great news, not.

jam bo wrote:Garmin have just released a combined GPS/sat tracker

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/01/lau ... lorer.html

That's interesting to read. It sounds like it should be good but based on garmins past offerings it seems like we have to look forwards to combined navigation and communication devices that will crash at will leaving us stranded AND without tracking

Is it only me that operates on the principle of "no news is good news"? I've been all over the globe for weeks at a time without so much as a phone call home. This desire to be tracked and in contact on the basis of what-if baffles me.

Hey ho

Is it only me that operates on the principle of "no news is good news"?

No, not just you. I don't have a mobile either.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

Is it only me that operates on the principle of "no news is good news"?

No, not just you. I don't have a mobile either.

Bloody do, it's just sat next to your SPOT.

Ah, that phone ... no, it's sat in the bottom of the junk drawer in the kitchen next to the bits of string and broken plugs.

Thanks again for the info offered all , I have just arranged to hire a SPOT tracker from the above mentioned company , cheers Moder-dye

jam bo wrote:Garmin have just released a combined GPS/sat tracker

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/01/lau ... lorer.html

It's the DeLorme kit inside - so can work with Trackleaders too

This threadhttp://www.bikepacking.net/forum/questi ... te-change/ on Bikepacking.net suggests that SPOT are raising their prices for the Gen-3 model. The DeLorme based kit is looking better value particularly as you can suspend your subscription when you aren't using it.

I got a SPOT finally, this year. I use it more than I thought I would. I have a life outside of disappearing off the grid. It takes the hassle and worry out of letting people know I am OK - they can just log in and watch me moving.

It's good for me, both on multiday trips and long days on the bike exploring Mid Wales with little more than a pink Garmin line and no phone signal. It sits on the shoulder of my rucksack and I never notice it when riding.

It's worth the annual subscription, which, imo, isn't massive once it's broken down into monthly payments. I just have the basic package, no add-ons.

Sure, I understand some people like being severed from their lives at home. It's not for everyone though and I like to know that the people I care about aren't worrying unnecessarily. It's not a massive amount of money for simple peace of mind. Some people value that, some don't. I don't think people should criticise others for caring, neither should we judge someone who has no interest in letting anyone know where they are.

Plus, of course, there is the actual friends and family SOS, and the emergency services option which I never plan to use, but then, who plans to get into serious difficulty?

Once available at Cotswold Outdoors I intend getting a Garmin inReach.
I particularly like the ability for two way text messaging and the ability to "suspend" the service when not using.

ianfitz wrote:

jam bo wrote:Garmin have just released a combined GPS/sat tracker

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/01/lau ... lorer.html

That's interesting to read. It sounds like it should be good but based on garmins past offerings it seems like we have to look forwards to combined navigation and communication devices that will crash at will leaving us stranded AND without tracking

Exactly - based on my experience with other Garmin sub standard, I just would not trust this until it's been out for some time. Garmin early adopters = Beta testers.