|
Post by Wahoo on May 3, 2010 22:10:16 GMT -5
We've been looking at acquiring a Spot Satellite Tracker (www.findmespot.com) since last fall, after a friend's brother who was riding alone went missing in the Rocky Mountains on his Goldwing, and wasn't found for nearly 2 months. Although the Spot Tracker wouldn't have saved his life (he went off the side of a mountain), the family and authorities would have known where to search for him....
Best Buy has close-out pricing on Spot 1 trackers at $54.95. Inside the box is a promotional code which gets you 1 year of free Tracking Service (normally $49.95 a year) when you activate the basic service ($99.95).
So.... for the grand total of $178.56 (including sales tax), we now have a Spot tracker with basic and tracking service for 12 months.
If you're on the fence about getting one of these units, check out Best Buy ....
|
|
|
Post by mgorman on May 24, 2010 22:51:09 GMT -5
Thanks, been thinking about those
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2010 19:09:57 GMT -5
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2010 18:44:12 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Wahoo on Aug 31, 2010 19:47:49 GMT -5
I've been using the Spot I tracker most of the summer now. It works most of the time, although I was not entirely satisfied with it's performance during my BRP trip in early July when it went for several hours without sending a track to the website at times when I was in fairly remote areas (exactly the type of places you'd WANT the thing to work well). It seems to have worked a little better on our most recent trip to the BRP, at least according to the number of tracks it sent to the site. I'm going to try buying new batteries but since they're lithium they're not cheap. At least one friend has upgraded to a Spot II this summer and it seems to work much better that the original version.
|
|
|
Post by xsyamahadg on Aug 31, 2010 21:20:20 GMT -5
Good to know, the Spot II and service would make a nice Christmas gift. I'm going to put one on my wish list, maybe my wife will go for it.
|
|
|
Post by Jennifer on Sept 1, 2010 12:50:35 GMT -5
If you have a smart phone you can also use InstaMapper. That's what hubby used on his BRP/Appalachian Trail motorcycle trip. Free download on your phone and on the web as well!
|
|
|
Post by Wahoo on Sept 1, 2010 18:44:27 GMT -5
The smart phones are an option, but they don't work w/o a cellular signal. The Spot Trackers bounce signals off a satellite so they should work anywhere there is a clear line of sight to the southern sky.
It also has help and 911 buttons which is the real reason I bought one since I like to ride alone and roam w/o any real destination many times.
|
|
|
Post by Wahoo on Apr 29, 2011 23:19:57 GMT -5
I broke down and bought a Spot II tonight.
Guess I will need to go for a nice long ride on Saturday to test it out. :-)
|
|
|
Post by xsyamahadg on Apr 30, 2011 7:40:03 GMT -5
Wahoo, let us know how you like it and if it works as advertised.
|
|
|
Post by Wahoo on Apr 30, 2011 21:26:23 GMT -5
The Spot I was okay, but as I mentioned above, I was disappointed with its performance on the BRP last summer. Could have been location on the bike, but I tried different placements, including in the pocket of my riding jacket.
Mrs. Wahoo and I rode down to the Iron Pony today. The Spot II is much smaller than the Spot I, so it fits in my jacket pocket much better than the original model. The tracking also seems to work much better on the Spot II.
My annual subscription renews in a few days, so I'll be set for another year.
|
|
|
Post by roadrunner on May 2, 2011 8:59:09 GMT -5
Hey Bob - I know a lot of people have these things. I have mixed emotions about having one. The old BIG BROTHER thing...!
I do remember the guy in the Rocky Mountains a long time ago...!
Maybe I don't want the wife to know where I go...hee hee...! ;D
|
|
|
Post by Wahoo on May 2, 2011 9:57:01 GMT -5
We visited Donald Masters' grave at Arlington National Cemetery with his sister (Lynne) and her husband (Dave) last Monday (4/25). We've known them for almost 30 years. Donald went missing on his Goldwing in August 2009 and was found at a crash site in a very remote part of the Rockies. Although the SPOT has the ability to summon 911 rescue services, it is believed that he was killed instantly from the crash so that would not have helped. However, at least they would have been able to focus the search teams and it wouldn't have taken 4 months to located the wreckage as was the case. And besides, if "Big Brother" really wants to find you, they have much better ways than by your SPOT tracker.
|
|
|
Post by mgorman on May 19, 2011 13:52:57 GMT -5
Best Buy is closing out Spot trackers for $30.00
I go 4 of them for me and my friends, make some calls and see if there are any left. Make the person check physically, one guy told me he had none, didn't carry them. There was one on display, one in a box. The other said the same, there were 5 under the counter, I took 3, may be some left. None left at North Canton or Montrose.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 19, 2011 17:08:57 GMT -5
As a K-Mart employee once told me "I don't know anything, I just work here."!
|
|