New SPOT GPS Tracker: Lighter, Smaller, Silver!
SPOT, maker of the life-saving GPS device, is upgrading its hardware. The next iteration is advertised as 30% smaller and lighter than the og SPOT. It will also be available in silver. Which is nice, cause pretty much everything clashes with orange.
Considering the new SPOT weighs just 5.2 ounces and takes up only 3.7×2.6×1 inches of packspace, you have no reason not to carry one when you go walkabout.
Unless, of course, you don't want to spend the money. The service is $100/year. The current box is $160. Expect the new model to either be the same w/a price drop for the old one. Or, more likely, the new one will retail for ~$229.95.
OK, I'm totally guessing.
[via GearJunkie]
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Cluis on New SPOT GPS Tracker: Lighter,...
"My sentiments exactly, billy friggin mays..."
acrospective on New SPOT GPS Tracker: Lighter,...
"Um, IT LOOKS LIKE BILLY MAYS' HEAD...."
yasth on New SPOT GPS Tracker: Lighter,...
"Because of how SPOT works (or used to work and I doubt they changed the hardware..."
BJN on New SPOT GPS Tracker: Lighter,...
"While SPOT has the web map tracking feature some people like, a far better perso..."
seric on New SPOT GPS Tracker: Lighter,...
"Whenever my Motorcycle Club puts events on for the public, we make sure at the v..."
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seric
#1 – 11:01 AM July 22, 2009
Whenever my Motorcycle Club puts events on for the public, we make sure at the very least the Ride Captain and Sweep each have one of these units on their person. Many of our rides that take place in the Santa Cruz Mountains, there's little or no cell phone coverage and we've had issues getting a hold of emergency services in the past. While the first generation doesn't have a GPS chipset quite up to snuff for some of the activities they advertise, it's great for motorcyclists unless your riding in super deep canyons. And the insurance add-ons are quite reasonable if you've ever seen the bill for a ride in the life-flight Helicopter.
BJN
#2 – 11:27 AM July 22, 2009
While SPOT has the web map tracking feature some people like, a far better personal locator beacon is the $300 McMurdo Fastfind 210. It uses the NOAA satellite system to send your emergency signal, has a gps onboard to provide position to search and rescue, and and transmits a tracking signal for low flying aircraft to home in upon. There's no annual fee, you just register the device with your national authority for satellite locator services.
I own the original SPOT and the low initial price is more than offset by the expensive annual service. You pay extra to get the map tracking feature over the basic $100 service.
yasth
#3 – 12:52 PM July 22, 2009
Because of how SPOT works (or used to work and I doubt they changed the hardware that much) you may have trouble in obstructed terrain (i.e. canyons or deep cover.) A PLB is simpler, and far more likely to punch through cover as it transmits at 5 watts, and the satellite monitoring system is designed to pick up marginal signals. Still better something than nothing, but most users would be better off with a real PLB, and using something like a cell phone with an external antenna if needed to check in.
Read:
http://www.equipped.org/SPOT_ORSummer2007.htm
acrospective
#4 – 12:53 PM July 22, 2009
Um,
IT LOOKS LIKE BILLY MAYS' HEAD.
Cluis
#5 – 1:47 AM August 15, 2009
My sentiments exactly, billy friggin mays