Pretty cool technology

[rfrye1]

Most of us have been boating a long time. From the early days of handheld GPS to chartplotters to DSC and EPIRBs. Look at this. Pretty cool.

http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/inreach-explorer.php?promotion=10061

 

[Jackdaw]

It is a very nice peace of kit.

We use it for:

1) Back up EPERB
2) Real-time tracker

3) The biggie, a worldwide two-way messenger. Paired with an iOS and Android device, you get worldwide text messaging, just like texts on your phone but will work in the middle of Lake Superior, or the Atlantic Ocean. Great way to stay in touch.

 

[Stu Jackson]

That is "way cool" but I always have to wonder: before "investing" in that type of technology, one has to ask oneself - "Is there truly an application of it FOR ME and the type of sailing I do?"

It could either be a "Facebook (ugh(!)) of the sail across our little lake" or could be really useful. I do a lot of coastal cruising, but my phone still works 10 miles offshore. Just sayin' that one has to examine the use before the purchase.

Still a very neat machine.

 

[rfrye1]

Trying to keep up.

Good question. "What do you/we really need?" I have an older Garmin with a 4" screen, that we replaced with a new Garmin with a 7-8" touch screen. So now I have 2 on board working ( a good thing). I just started using on iPad with Bad Elf which works great. My EPIRB is the older 406 model. Battery "expired" 2 yrs ago. No one will replace battery now be cuz it's "old". I guess I'm saying I always know we're I'm at.

I coastal cruise S. Cal. With all this technology, I'm just going to make sure compass is accurate, radio/DSC is working, radar is working, flares are current, dinghy is inflated, and the captain is looking out for all those "other guys"! Honestly my biggest concern is when I do a night sail/motorsail up to Catalina from San Diego being run over by a freighter. Those guys are really scary at night.

Thanks. Bob

 

[Gunni]

I have an old handheld GPS in my ditch bag, batteries in waterproof case along with the optional Standard Horizon AA bat tray for my old handheld VHS. My GPS may be outdated, and the charts obsolete, but I can talk on the VHS and provide my fix. I don't do DSC.

 

[Joe]

To grossly summarize the cost ... it would be 380 for the handheld and another couple hundred a year for basic service.... plus it has a tracker mode that allows others to follow your position online and an automatic sos locator, like epirb. I like it...

Inexpensive sat phones like this one for $300:

Still cost a bunch when you add up air time.... a one month 75 minute plan is $150. One year 700 minutes puts it over $1000l

 

[Chris Patterson]

What interested me in this is, and I don't know, but the part about it contacting rescue personnel, notably the C.G. I think. Are they waiting to receive a call from the Delorme, or the Spot?
I'm not sure the idea of someone on shore tracking me, and my maneuvers are something they don't expect and dispatch help needlessly.

There's already a local tale around here about a bloke that lost his boat, and a Spot saved him. I don't know the exact details, but I'm assuming this to be true..:Liar:

And IF these things functioned in that regard I would buy one immediately. Practical Sailor just reviewed them a few months back. I forgot..

 

[Gunni]

I used a Spot a few years ago and if I had pulled the pin on an emergency it went to the Spot company who coordinated a rescue response with my emergency POC. This is completely different than an EPIRB Cospas-Sarsat response which is immediate, robust, and mobilizes national-level responders (Coast Guards, Navy, AMVER)

 

[Jackdaw]

I used a Spot a few years ago and if I had pulled the pin on an emergency it went to the Spot company who coordinated a rescue response with my emergency POC. This is completely different than an EPIRB Cospas-Sarsat response which is immediate, robust, and mobilizes national-level responders (Coast Guards, Navy, AMVER)

Both SPOT and inReach use GEOS as an EPOC. Although a commercial entity, GEOS is very well regarded in this role.

http://www.geosalliance.com/geos-services/monitoring-services/

Most of the issues that people have had with SPOT have not to do with GEOS, but with the satellite technology that SPOT uses; having chosen Globalsat instead of Inmarsat. Inmarsat is MUCH more robust technology, having 'closed loop' messaging technology, and a much larger coverage area.

 

[Gunni]

Most of the issues that people have had with SPOT have not to do with GEOS, but with the satellite technology that SPOT uses; having chosen Globalsat instead of Inmarsat. Inmarsat is MUCH more robust technology, having 'closed loop' messaging technology, and a much larger coverage area.

Interesting. Didn't know there was a difference. Thanks.