Satellite Messengers (spot tracker)
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Much like PLBs, satellite messengers are handheld transmitting devices that are useful in backcountry areas far from reliable cell phone coverage. These user-friendly devices allow you to communicate short text messages and/or your location coordinates with friends or family back home so you can report on your trip’s status or, in an emergency, send calls for help.
While a handy tool for general travel and sending pick-up locations, satellite messengers transmit signals that are much less powerful than a PLB signal. A GEN3 Spot tracker will broadcast with 0.4W power compared to 5W for a PLB. This power may not be able to penetrate through a thick tree canopy, heavy overcast clouds or thunderstorms.
How a Satellite Messenger Works
Satellite messengers are GPS-based devices that rely on either of 2 commercial satellite networks—Iridium or Globalstar (used by SPOT)—rather than the military network used by PLBs. Emergency calls using either network are routed to the privately run GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Centre headquartered near Houston, Texas.
This satellite network is for profit and a subscription fee is required to use a satellite messenger. Each manufacturer offers a variety of usage plan options, usually including duration (yearly, seasonally or monthly) and GPS tracking frequency (with intervals ranging from hours down to a few minutes). Spot tracker is $165USD per year.
When the SOS button is pressed, the GPS location is broadcast via the commercial satellite network to America, the information is analysed and forwarded onto the RCC in Australia and recovery is then handled from there. SPOT does not have a 121.5MHz signal broadcast which means that there is no way for emergency responders to home in on the signal.
More info here http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=100
SPOT Gen3's customized tracking features takes your SPOT experience to the next level. Only with SPOT Gen3, is tracking motion-activated regardless of the level of tracking you choose (Basic, Unlimited or Extreme). A vibration sensor tells your SPOT to send track updates when you are moving and to stop when you do. (This is a great new battery-saving feature!)
Tracking Options:
Unlimited Tracking: Set it and forget it. Pre-set your SPOT Gen3 to send tracks at the speed of your adventures. Change your tracks to send every 5, 10, 30, or 60 minutes. SPOT Gen3 will send tracks at your chosen rate for as long as your device is turned on and moving (no need to re-set after 24 hours). Tracking doesn't stop until you do.
Extreme Tracking: Get all of the great features of Unlimited Tracking, but with the added ability to vary your track rate down to every 2 ½ minutes. Don't miss a step with increased track ratesI'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.
Other Features:
S.O.S.: With the push of a button, GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center provides your GPS coordinates and information to local response teams - for example contacting 9-1-1 responders in North America and 1-1-2 responders in Europe The S.O.S. button is for emergencies only.
Check In: Let family and friends know you're ok when you're out of cell phone range. Send a pre-programmed text message with GPS coordinates or an email with a link to Google Maps™ to your contacts with your location. With a push of a button, a message is sent via email or SMS to up to 10 pre-determined contacts and your waypoint is stored in your SPOT account for later reference. Your stored waypoints can be easily integrated into a SPOT Shared Page or SPOT Adventure account.
Help/SPOT Assist: Alert your personal contacts that you need help in non-life-threatening situations. Or, use SPOT Assist for professional services on land or water. (Additional service required).
Custom Message: Stay in touch while off the grid by sending your custom message. Set up a message before leaving to send to contacts with your GPS location. Use this feature as a secondary OK message or transfer your personal help alert to this message function if you are using a SPOT Assist service on your Help button.
Tracking: Allow friends and family to follow your progress online in near real-time and save waypoints so you can review your entire route at a later date.