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#1
02-05-2008, 06:32 AM
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SPOTs
Anyone use or know anyone who's uses SPOT ? We were talking about these little gadgets the other night at my SAR team meeting. Seems like one of those things were you slap your head and think to yourself, "why didn't I think about that?". Sure would make it easier to find someone if we know where they're at; just punch in the coordinates and follow the arrow. And the price is right, too. Anyway, just wondering if anyone has any experience with these and how reliable/accurate they are. I may even pick one up for myself.
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USAF Retired  Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things 
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#2
02-05-2008, 12:20 PM
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Tater
That is a great tool and like they say the price is right also. I have seen others but they are in the 600>$1000 price range. The Air Force used a similar type device in 'nam for rescue of downed Crew Members. It was called a Personal Locater Beacon. Never had to use mine, Thanks God. Punching the Panic Button was a quick way to get rescue Choppers, A-1 Sandys and Gunships to your location. No it was not an instantanious response as noted by the amount of captures. As soon as you were captured the VC immediately destroyed them, end of signal. This is a great tool for old duffers like me who don't have the sense to stay home in the "rockin' chair". I try not to do anything tooooo stupid but I do like to get out and I ain't ready for the rest home yet. Thanx for posting the info. Best wishes, Bill
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#3
02-05-2008, 09:13 PM
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I like it cuz it'll get you found if you get injured and can't get out on your own even if you aren't "lost". I, like many other outdoor types, carry a GPS but it won't do me much good to know where I am and which way the camp is if I break my leg. If I bring SPOT along I know I'll get found. One of my fellow team members asked "what if someone just gets tired and activates the thing so someone will come pick them up?" The team leader informed us that, when activated, it also activates the 911 system in the area. Anyone doing so will be in deep doo-doo and probably end up paying for the search. A helicopter can't be cheap. I'm going to pick one up as soon as the funds make themselves available.
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USAF Retired Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things
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#4
02-06-2008, 07:49 AM
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Not sure of the details but it seems like its lcation and rescue servicerunsthrough a private company to get to the SAR/police/AFRCC/Coast Guard. It will only be as good as the company backing that up and providing the service. Don;t know for sure, but don;t the more expensive beacons go direct to the AFRCC?
also, consider that to actually use it you have to purchase additional subscritption services? Something about the writing/grammar on the website leaves me with questions about the organization. do you know where the business is operated from?
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TANSTAFL
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#5
02-07-2008, 06:26 AM
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Hawk...
__________________
USAF Retired Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things
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#6
02-07-2008, 07:19 AM
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Tater,
The second link is a slicker website. If you get one let us know how it works out. The price does look good and the subscription price is not unreasonable. If it works well, I'd get one.
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TANSTAFL
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#7
02-07-2008, 09:14 PM
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Hopefully I won't have to use it
 They're becoming pretty popular around here so, maybe this summer or fall, we'll go out and rescue someone who has one. I'll take an easy search anyday.
__________________
USAF Retired Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things
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#10
08-06-2008, 12:10 AM
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Look at the Garmin Rhino GPS units. You can ping your friends and see on a map exactly where they are, and yes it is a great 2-way radio. All in one nice package !
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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." .................Spike1
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#11
08-09-2008, 09:55 PM
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Hawkeye6 -- No updates yet. We haven't had any real searches lately. The callouts we've had have been cancelled pretty quick cuz the lost became found before we even got organized.
spike1 -- The Rinos are great but they only work with those in your party who have Rinos on the same freq. SPOTS works by sending an "I'm lost" message along with your coordinates over the satellites to a pre-determined number or to 911 to get things rolling. I do like the Rinos, though, cuz I'm never out by myself and the chances of my buddy being lost or hurt at the same time as me are slim to none. They're definitely worth the money.
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USAF Retired Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things
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