Spot Gen3 and Spotwalla.com

[StinkyPete]

I have a question for the techno gurus.

I've been using Bubbler on my mobile phone, so those back home can monitor my journeys, but the downside it that it is of limited use away from mobile phone service.    If I purchase a Spot Gen 3 tracker, is it necessary to have a subscription to the service via findmespot.com, or can I use the free Spotwalla.com service?

[ST2UP]

You need a find me spot account Pete.....but in addition you will also need the tracking via find me spot if you want to leave an automatic bread crumb trail. Basic access will give all other functions.


 

[ST2UP]

You could save a few dollars buy grabbing a SPOT 2.....they still sell them on eBay.


Basic is about $165 USD p/a for basic access.....was about $100 when I started mine 4 yrs ago.

 

[Biggles]

Spotwalla gets its info from findmespot.
There's good posts on FarRiders about setting it all up.  It's not really intuitive.

[ST2UP]

Pete you could increase the range somewhat by installing a external antenna for your mobile....if your current or future phone has a external antenna patch lead port.....check out Telstra's Australian coverage maps to see the difference between handset and external antenna coverage.....you can get data bursts through in fringe areas were voice fails 


cheers

[tj189]

what Chris said 

Make sure you use Telstra though.  I used Bubbler for the run around Oz and a large number of other rides (after having used spot and their fees  )

[StinkyPete]

I have just bought a Spot Gen3.    Do those who are using Spot have any tips for setting up my account, what messages are best linked to what buttons, and who the HELP Message should go to?

[STroppy]

    

Where did you get the Spot from n how much was it? Thanks Pete . . Also thinking it may be a good idea . . Watching responses for all the good oil from this lot . . 

[StinkyPete]

   

Where did you get the Spot from n how much was it? Thanks Pete . . Also thinking it may be a good idea . . Watching responses for all the good oil from this lot . . 

Stroppy.
$180 inc postage from http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Spot-3-GEN3-Satellite-GPS-Messenger-Tracker-Locator-SOS-SPOT-III-/261999395594?hash=item3d0061830a , and I've ordered some RAM mount bits from Johnny Appleseed GPS and been given the 10% OzSTOC discount on the parts. 

Spot is good for the peace of mind of those at home, when I'm travelling on my own.

[Dick B "Yewie"]

I have just bought a Spot Gen3.    Do those who are using Spot have any tips for setting up my account, what messages are best linked to what buttons, and who the HELP Message should go to?

Hi Pete,
We use our Spot for other things beside our Bike tours (eg hiking and lending to family) We have had it for a couple of years so I assume it is a Gen 2 model.
You need to set up messages each time to suit each specific trip/use.

eg For our 2 up bike tours
the ok message goes to our family (both SMS and email)
The optional message we don't use
The Help Message goes to our son which is meant for breakdown situation where we were out of phone contact. He was to ring the NRMA and get them to come to our location.
The SOS message was to go to 000 with our son to be back-up contact presumably to fill the emergency services in on who and where we were and what we were doing.

Fortunately, we have never used anything other than the OK option so far.

I just completed a solo 19 day trek in the NT outback and obviously set up totally different  Spot message options for that.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Dick   

[StinkyPete]

Thanks for the information everyone.

I'm still getting my Spot 3 account sorted, but am well on the way.   I have put a simple OK message, which is duplicated for the Optional message.    My Help goes as an e.mail to Home, and to Son-in-Law who because of his work monitors his e.mail and phone messages constantly.     SOS automatically sends location and the  user's identity to the Aust National Search and Rescue Centre via the monitoring company in the USA.    I spoke to one of the staff in the Aussie rescue centre who is on the Beacon Monitoring Team.   They are aware of SPOT and have advised me that there are no costs involved to the signal initiator, should a legitimate SOS be received by them for a Spot user who needs SOS assistance.  Thus I did not take up the rescue insurance option when setting up my account with FindMeSpot.

[ST2UP]

Something to be aware of when selecting your SPOT messenger contacts particularly the contacts who will receive a txt message that you will want them to action in a non-life threatening emergency is to use a contact you can work with and convert Long/Lats, because thats how the location message appears on your mobile 


 

[Abe]

Something to be aware of when selecting your SPOT messenger contacts particularly the contacts who will receive a txt message that you will want them to action in a non-life threatening emergency is to use a contact you can work with and convert Long/Lats, because thats how the location message appears on your mobile 


 

Try this for conversion (I think Biggles has a method if I remember??)

http://stevemorse.org/jcal/latlon.php

[StinkyPete]

Something to be aware of when selecting your SPOT messenger contacts particularly the contacts who will receive a txt message that you will want them to action in a non-life threatening emergency is to use a contact you can work with and convert Long/Lats, because thats how the location message appears on your mobile 

 

The e.mail sent to a registered contact gives both the Lat and Long, as well as a link to a google map showing the location.   

[ST2UP]

Something to be aware of when selecting your SPOT messenger contacts particularly the contacts who will receive a txt message that you will want them to action in a non-life threatening emergency is to use a contact you can work with and convert Long/Lats, because thats how the location message appears on your mobile 

 

The e.mail sent to a registered contact gives both the Lat and Long, as well as a link to a google map showing the location.   

Yep the email does  but the txt doesn't.......Long/Lats only,and your pre programmed message, but as you said Pete your email contact monitors constantly   

We had a hiker set off her "Helping Hand" a few months ago and her friend in Victoria rang local Police as she knew her friend was on the National Trail in this area....message was to say she needed help but she didn't know what all the "numbers on her phone meant".......and neither did the  as it's not something they are taught at that level.

Long story short......hiker was fine, just rang out of food when the river had risen in the gorge and she would need to wait it out for a few days.....

[StinkyPete]

........ she didn't know what all the "numbers on her phone meant".......and neither did the  as it's not something they are taught at that level.
Long story short......hiker was fine, just rang out of food when the river had risen in the gorge and she would need to wait it out for a few days.....

I find it quite alarming that police, who are likely to be the first response to a request for help, didn't understand a Lat and Long reference as a location.   

[ST2UP]

........ she didn't know what all the "numbers on her phone meant".......and neither did the  as it's not something they are taught at that level.
Long story short......hiker was fine, just rang out of food when the river had risen in the gorge and she would need to wait it out for a few days.....

I find it quite alarming that police, who are likely to be the first response to a request for help, didn't understand a Lat and Long reference as a location.   

  They knew it was a Long/Lat.....just didnt know how to turn it into anything real world  like transcribe to a topographic map to work out access.....

They consulted Dr. Google and he advised that it was out in the National Park, just where the original caller advised.......but it a big place the Guy Fawkes NP   

[STroppy]

Thanks for the information everyone.

I'm still getting my Spot 3 account sorted, but am well on the way.   I have put a simple OK message, which is duplicated for the Optional message.    My Help goes as an e.mail to Home . . . . . Thus I did not take up the rescue insurance option when setting up my account with FindMeSpot.

Hi Pete, which ($ cost) plan did you choose? I am still contemplating the idea and would think that I would go with the $164.99 USD plan but not sure, any add-ons?

Terry

[ppopeye]

So is there a say, simple way to turn lat/long to real world terms in an aussie context?

must be an app too.

[StinkyPete]

Try this for conversion (I think Biggles has a method if I remember??)
http://stevemorse.org/jcal/latlon.php

Ppopeye, have a look at this link from Abe.   

[alans1100]

So is there a say, simple way to turn lat/long to real world terms in an aussie context?

must be an app too.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.threesixtyentertainment.nesn&hl=en

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/emergency-+/id691814685?mt=8

There's one for Windows phones as well but I can't find that one.

Uses the GPS in your phone to give lat/long and the street address if available plus emergency contact numbers

[ppopeye]

Try this for conversion (I think Biggles has a method if I remember??)
http://stevemorse.org/jcal/latlon.php

Ppopeye, have a look at this link from Abe.   

I saw that one Pete. I was thinking of a way for the police mainly to be able to come with locations.
Thanks

[Biggles]

I saw that one Pete. I was thinking of a way for the police mainly to be able to come with locations.
Thanks

High time the Police were introduced to Google Maps.
Simply copy/paste or type in the lat/long and it takes you straight there.  Then you can select satellite view if that's more helpful than a map.
Type it into your GPS and select overland or via roads and off you go (no guarantees on that one!)

I can't recall mentioning any other conversion except to change the minutes, seconds to decimal minutes but then you can select those options in your GPS.