Spot Tracking services or alternatives?

Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi · Dec 5, 2015

I have a Gen3 and used it to track our cruise from Kentucky Lake to Punta Gorda in SW Florida in 2013-14. I left it running while home for some of the time and it will alert you if the boat moves with the motion detector. It can run on either batteries or a USB micro plugged into 12v or 110.

My son uses a DeLorme Inreach and it functions much the same and has text message both ways. Either are good.

Sumner · Dec 5, 2015

This fall I bought a Suzuki off road motorcycle and just recently a Polaris ATV. I've been riding them in remote canyons here in SE Utah by myself and don't always have cell service and worried about getting hurt so bought a Gen 3 Spot and have been using it and really like it.

You have the option to send 4 pre-entered messages with it. They go out to separate e-mail lists that you set up and are sent to the people on the list when you send the message.

I use one to say I'm OK, another I use to mark the present GPS location so I can see where I was later, say a trail head or an Anasazi ruin, another tells my girlfriend that I need help but it isn't an emergency and the last button sends a SOS message to Spot's national center and they will try and get a local search and rescue out to me right away. All of the messages give your current position and are sent to the people on the e-mail list for the message button you push.

As mentioned you can also turn tracking on and it will send your current location every 15 minutes. You can also pay for a subscription where your track will be every 2 1/2 minutes. The 15 minutes is fine for a slow sailboat but with the motorcycle even off road you can go a ways in 15 minutes.

I will take it to the boat and use it on the next trip also. I'd considered getting one before the Bahama trip but didn't and in retrospect wish I would of done that,

Sumner
===================================================
1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida, Bahamas

Jackdaw · Dec 5, 2015

I've used all three generations of SPOT devices they are OK. But I've switched over to Delorme InReach technology. It is simply much better.

Beyond a better global coverage, InReach messaging is bi-directional, meaning that emergency services (or friends&family) can respond in full messages. You can also send and receive text messages from the device with anyone with a mobile phone. On both sides it looks and acts like regular phone messaging. You can also make Facebook or Twitter posts if you're a social media darling.

Truth; when you send a SOS with a SPOT device, you actually have NO idea if the message was received. This is NOT a given with the satellite technology (Globalstar) SPOT uses and they actually have protocol of sending messages multiple times to increase the reception rate to 95%. Not the same with InReach. The device KNOWS when an SOS was received. And the first responders actually talk back to you.

Tracking the similar to SPOT, with 10 minute default intervals. Down to 1/min if you like. One nice plus; unlike SPOT you do not have to re-turn on tracking every 48 hours. Here we are crossing part of the Aegean.

The device is small and very well built. Runs on a built-in rechargeable battery pack or an external powered cradle. The service cost is a bit more but not much. And you can turn it on and off on a monthly basis. I'd never go back. SPOT is giving away devices because they are having a hard time competing with InReach on service. We use it all over the world when we sail. Can't image not having it.

uncledom · Dec 5, 2015

We have an EPIRB and an Iridium 9555 Sat phone. I guess you could use the inReach in a pinch but I would not rely on that as my primary device. Last time I tried to use it for tracking I needed to upgrade it before I could reactivate it. It was a fiasco and no live help on a Sunday. I'll call 911 on the Sat phone thanks. When it's working the kids love playing with it.

Stu Jackson · Dec 5, 2015

McIntoshUSA said:
I have a friend who has a SPOT device that tracks his boat movement (while on a cruise, etc) and he can send a web link to family and friends who can track him.

What would YOU use it for?

Jackdaw · Dec 6, 2015

McIntoshUSA said:
We would use it for family and friends to track us when we are cruising, and it looks like it would be nice to leave on the boat hooked to a power source so if anyone was steal the boat the motion activation would track it.

They are are great for sharing your trips in real time. We use it in distance races and family of the crew like to follow along. Lake Superior is mostly out of cell phone range; we can be days off the grid. The 2-way messaging capability is great for that; the kids can always reach and I know that work did not blow up while I'm away. And obviously the SOS feature when out of VHF range.

I would not put much value on the track the stolen boat feature. Who steals a sailboat? Where would they go?

DAVA390 · Dec 6, 2015

Sumner said:
This fall I bought a Suzuki off road motorcycle and just recently a Polaris ATV. I've been riding them in remote canyons here in SE Utah by myself and don't always have cell service and worried about getting hurt so bought a Gen 3 Spot and have been using it and really like it.

You have the option to send 4 pre-entered messages with it. They go out to separate e-mail lists that you set up and are sent to the people on the list when you send the message.

I use one to say I'm OK, another I use to mark the present GPS location so I can see where I was later, say a trail head or an Anasazi ruin, another tells my girlfriend that I need help but it isn't an emergency and the last button sends a SOS message to Spot's national center and they will try and get a local search and rescue out to me right away. All of the messages give your current position and are sent to the people on the e-mail list for the message button you push.

As mentioned you can also turn tracking on and it will send your current location every 15 minutes. You can also pay for a subscription where your track will be every 2 1/2 minutes. The 15 minutes is fine for a slow sailboat but with the motorcycle even off road you can go a ways in 15 minutes.

I will take it to the boat and use it on the next trip also. I'd considered getting one before the Bahama trip but didn't and in retrospect wish I would of done that,

Sumner
===================================================
1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac

Endeavour 37 Mods...

MacGregor 26-S Mods...

Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida, Bahamas

Girlfriend?? Good on you, hope you are doing well!!

JohnShannon · Dec 6, 2015

Spot is $150 at REI plus $50/yr for "unlimited tracking" with of course some limits.
InREach is $300 at REI plus $15/mo or 144/yr.

So it looks like you have two products with similar features at slightly different price points. The Spot is cheaper but lower functionality. The operating cost looks about the same maybe a little higher for the Inreach.

As far as boat theft goes we had an Oyster 82 stolen out of Sausalito by it seems a bunch of potheads. They didn't get far, although they had the ship, the star they chose to steer by was the Taco Bell on Rockaway beach.

I leave my AIS B on so can see my boat at Marine Traffic. com any time I want. Around here that covers about 8 hrs of progress in the optimum direction. Unless they use a helicopter which I am estimating is unlikely.

woodster · Dec 6, 2015

Jackdaw said:
I've used all three generations of SPOT devices they are OK. But I've switched over to Delorme InReach technology. It is simply much better.

Beyond a better global coverage, InReach messaging is bi-directional, meaning that emergency services (or friends&family) can respond in full messages. You can also send and receive text messages from the device with anyone with a mobile phone. On both sides it looks and acts like regular phone messaging. You can also make Facebook or Twitter posts if you're a social media darling.

Truth; when you send a SOS with a SPOT device, you actually have NO idea if the message was received. This is NOT a given with the satellite technology (Globalstar) SPOT uses and they actually have protocol of sending messages multiple times to increase the reception rate to 95%. Not the same with InReach. The device KNOWS when an SOS was received. And the first responders actually talk back to you.

Tracking the similar to SPOT, with 10 minute default intervals. Down to 1/min if you like. One nice plus; unlike SPOT you do not have to re-turn on tracking every 48 hours. Here we are crossing part of the Aegean.

The device is small and very well built. Runs on a built-in rechargeable battery pack or an external powered cradle. The service cost is a bit more but not much. And you can turn it on and off on a monthly basis. I'd never go back. SPOT is giving away devices because they are having a hard time competing with InReach on service. We use it all over the world when we sail. Can't image not having it.

what is the monthly fee for using this and is it an open end service (where you can use it only one month or are you locked into an annual contract ....if you don't mind sharing that info

Sumner · Dec 6, 2015

woodster said:
what is the monthly fee for using this and is it an open end service (where you can use it only one month or are you locked into an annual contract ....if you don't mind sharing that info

http://inreachdelorme.com/product-info/subscription-plans.php
Looks like with a Freedom plan ($24.95 yearly) you can start and stop monthly. $34.95 a month if you don't want to pay for each tracking point.

If I wasn't on a fixed income and was sailing across oceans the InReach looks like a good deal but that isn't the case so I'm plenty happy with how the Spot has worked for me and feel it will be all I need to go back to the Bahamas,

Sumner
===============================================
1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac...
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/endeavour-main/endeavour-index.html
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida, Bahamas

Jackdaw · Dec 6, 2015

woodster said:
what is the monthly fee for using this and is it an open end service (where you can use it only one month or are you locked into an annual contract ....if you don't mind sharing that info

There is an annual model, but I use the so-called 'freedom' plan that is month to month. There is a $25 annual fee, and then you can jump between 4 levels of service and any time, the only stipulation is that if you step DOWN, you need to be on the higher level for a least a month. The levels are roughly (from memory):

$60 unlimited tracking and messaging
$30 unlimited tracking and 100 messages
$15 no tracking and 20 messages
$00 off

All levels except off include SOS capability.

woodster · Dec 6, 2015

thanks sum and jack looks like the $30.00 plan would be nice to have if you were going out for 3 months or so ...i see no need for the unlimited plan or even a month only

Kings Gambit · Dec 6, 2015

Jackdaw said:
They are are great for sharing your trips in real time. We use it in distance races and family of the crew like to follow along. Lake Superior is mostly out of cell phone range; we can be days off the grid. The 2-way messaging capability is great for that; the kids can always reach and I know that work did not blow up while I'm away. And obviously the SOS feature when out of VHF range.

I would not put much value on the track the stolen boat feature. Who steals a sailboat? Where would they go?

I take it that one needs to buy two units for tracking; i.e., the person ashore can follow your track on their unit, etc.? Would also require two plans; one for each unit?

JohnShannon · Dec 6, 2015

king I think it uses that internet thingy on the land side so one unit is all you need

Kings Gambit · Dec 6, 2015

JohnShannon said:
king I think it uses that internet thingy on the land side so one unit is all you need

I see; something like Yellowbrick?

JohnShannon · Dec 6, 2015

I think very much like Yellowbrick. although I am not personally familiar with Yellowbrick. I did an offshore race and we were issued InReaches, prior years had used yellow brick but that was more expensive.

Share Your Position

This stand alone device has 2 way tracking so you can broadcast waypoints in real-time, even share valuable information like a breadcrumb trail so family and friends via Delorme’s internet based Map Share page! Information such as speed, elevation, heading and location are reported when tracking waypoints. 2 way text/email messaging lets one send and receive up to 160 character free form texts to and from other inReach users, and includes cell phones or emails. Incoming messages are displayed on the screen of the inReach

Kings Gambit · Dec 6, 2015

JohnShannon said:
I think very much like Yellowbrick. although I am not personally familiar with Yellowbrick. I did an offshore race and we were issued InReaches, prior years had used yellow brick but that was more expensive.

Share Your Position

This stand alone device has 2 way tracking so you can broadcast waypoints in real-time, even share valuable information like a breadcrumb trail so family and friends via Delorme’s internet based Map Share page! Information such as speed, elevation, heading and location are reported when tracking waypoints. 2 way text/email messaging lets one send and receive up to 160 character free form texts to and from other inReach users, and includes cell phones or emails. Incoming messages are displayed on the screen of the inReach

Brings to mind a high-tech float plan; but continuously upgradable in real-time!

Jackdaw · Dec 6, 2015

Kings Gambit said:
I see; something like Yellowbrick?

InReach and Yellowbrick use exactly the same superb technology (Iridium) and indeed the same chipsets in their devices. The difference in the end user price; Yellowbrick is easily twice as expensive. For basically the same capability.

Web broswers or apps on the listener side; You share as much or as little as you want.