[RNLD] Spot GPS Messenger [was satellite phones]

[Peter J Keegan]

In New Zealand, various people report difficulties with Spot GPS 
Messengers not
transmitting locations under bush cover or in confined spaces, i.e. places
where a personal locator beacon (PLB) would work.

If you are in places where the sky is always clearly visible its 
probably not too much
of an issue.

regards,

Peter J Keegan
University of Auckland

On 13/06/2012 12:22 p.m., Nick Thieberger wrote:
> Does anyone have experience of using a 'Spot GPS Messenger' as an
> alternative to satellite phones?
> http://www.mapcgis.com.au/spot_12.html?gclid=CNGMptD2ybACFcIlpAodETAOVg
>
>
> Their blurb follows:
>
> SOS (was 911): Use this function In the event of a life threatening or
> other critical emergency to notify emergency services of your GPS
> location and that you need assistance. The GEOS International
> Emergency Response Center alerts the appropriate agencies worldwide -
> for example contacting 9-1-1 responders in North America, 1-1-2
> responders in Europe and AMSA in Australia.
>
> Help: In the event of a non-life threatening emergency, you can use
> this function to notify your personal contacts that you need
> assistance.
>
> Check-in/OK: This feature allows you to let your friends and family
> know that all is OK with a pre-programmed message along with your GPS
> location. With a push of a button a message is sent via email or SMS
> to up to 10 pre-determined contacts and your waypoint is stored in
> your SPOT account for later reference. Your stored waypoints can be
> easily integrated into a SPOT Shared Page.
>
> Custom Message: This feature allows you to let your friends and family
> now receive a custom message along with your GPS location with a push
> of a button. Use this feature as a secondary OK message or specialized
> Help message.
>
> Track Progress: This feature allows you to send and save your location
> and allow contacts to track your progress in near real time using
> Google Maps. With your SPOT account you have the ability to set up a
> SPOT Shared Page which allows you to show your SPOT GPS locations to
> others on a Google Map.
>
> Coverage:
> SPOT works around the world, including virtually all of North America,
> Europe and Australia, portions of South America, Northern Africa and
> Northeastern Asia, and hundreds or thousands of miles offshore of
> these areas.
>