GPS Tracking Units

[RGardner]

Does anyone use GPS tracking units when out touring? I’m talking about the systems that transmit from the bike back to satellite so loved ones at home can log into a website and see where I am (rather than the straight GPS units which just tell the rider what they should already know about where they are). Brands I’ve come across to date are SPOT and MMT. SPOT has the tracking option I’m after but the subscription is US$165 annually and the battery life is only 3-4 days with the track function on. MMT seems to be mainly for tracking stuff like shipping containers at a rate of one 'ping' every 4 hours.
Any advice/recommendations would be appreciated.
Rob

[Cerebral Knievel]

I went looking for this after reading TJ's legendary ride report 
In typical Apple style , you can't use this brilliant google chrome app with your Iphone.
I will be upgrading my rotten apple prior to Ballarat next year to a phone compatible for this app 

[Biggles]

I use the Spot tracker   $169 from Johnny Appleseed.

http://www.ja-gps.com.au/Tracking/Satellite

On top of that you will need to buy a RAM mount.

Then to be able to see it on the 'net you have to pay $165 per annum to the company that manages the satellite component:

http://au.findmespot.com/en/

So it's not cheap, but it's independent of the phone network and it's pretty much bullet-proof.

And it's great peace-of-mind for those interested in your ride and well-being.

[ST2UP]

I use the Spot tracker   $169 from Johnny Appleseed.

http://www.ja-gps.com.au/Tracking/Satellite

On top of that you will need to buy a RAM mount.

Then to be able to see it on the 'net you have to pay $165 per annum to the company that manages the satellite component:

http://au.findmespot.com/en/

So it's not cheap, but it's independent of the phone network and it's pretty much bullet-proof.

And it's great peace-of-mind for those interested in your ride and well-being.

Use the same with positive results......lithium batteries last about 3 weeks of constant standby.


Ours set up with 5 SMS contacts and 5 email contacts.......In the OK function our SMS contacts get your pre-programmed OK message with your Lat/Long, the email contacts same but appears in google earth/maps.

Use one function for Mechanical issues the other for Medical/Trauma.


And then there is the Oh  button......which goes to SPOT in the U.S then they feed back into SAR in Canberra.

[DaleMcLean]

  I have  this one http://www.dmme.com.au/gps_tracker.htm on my bike 

Only costs $150 plus a SIM card (telsra longlife $30 for 6 months works for me  )
BIKE powered, 2 days backup battery, AND a panic button too,
sends texts to up to 3 phones and can be tracked live on a PC or mobile here http://www.cargpstracker.net:9090/nav/index.jsp?language=en (punch in 020519 for "a sample user" (username and password)), once the little screen at the bottom has athe line with the number click on it 

Download previous tracks up to 3 days worth, and 6 months of data kept too 

[Biggles]

Everything to like, Dale, except the limitations of the 2G (and even 3G) phone coverage.  The theft tracking is a real plus.

Obviously the SPOT is $100 pa dearer for coverage, but is satellite tracked and reported, hence always in touch (except for some parts of the world outside the satellite's footprint- mostly oceans, as per their world map).

http://au.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=109

[tj189]

I have used SPOT Connect and found that it worked fine. Need to reset it every 24 hours if you leave it on. I could not continue to justify the cost so looked for something a bit more cost effective. 

I used Bubbler for the full 9 days, stuffed up my settings and sadly it was not working from Brisbane around to Port August.  After that though it worked 24Hrs a day for the next 7 days and did not miss a beat.  Any costs involved were the purchase price of the program and the data that it uses across the phone network.  Now in those seven days it was stuff all data usage and was already part of my phone data plan.

Now I know a number of you will say hang on if it needs the phone network, it will be useless as there are big gaps all over the country, true.  What it does is store the data until phone reception and then uploads it automatically, yes there may be a gap in time between areas of phone coverage but I am sure some of you could plan for that and advise the onlookers accordingly.

when you are trying to decide which device you would like to use add up the amount of times you will actually use the device and how many messages you are likely to send when you are using it and if you are going to manually log your location or use the auto track system, I think that is an extra cost?.  How many trips will you actually use it on and you need to be honest with yourself.   As I said i could not justify the cost of spot for what i would use it for.

I now get a few more tankfuls of fuel each year by not using spot.

I used Bubbler on the Samsung Galaxy III android phone, powered from the bike.  I could also use the phone as a phone, as a gps, as a music player, as a spreadsheet holder, to send text messages and the list goes on.  Most of you will already have a phone that will do the same things, do you still need another device as a tracking device or can you do with what you have?

By the way I use Telstra because of their coverage and an external phone antenna for better reception in some poor coverage areas.

I have a SPOT Connect for sale if anyone is interested 

[Abe]

Good read, Trev.

What is the phone you are using, please.

[ST2UP]

Great info TJ 

We originally purchased our SPOT2 for camping/hiking/mountain biking and 4x4ing the gorge country around eastern ranges, it then evolved onto the motorbike as well......I also carry it in my work bag and if at a prolonged incident away from mobile coverage a press of the button lets mummy know I'm late but ok 


So being multi use the cost I can live with 


 

[tj189]

Good read, Trev.

What is the phone you are using, please.

Samsung Galaxy S III  android phone

[RGardner]

Great, thanks for all those comments. I can probably justify the cost of the SPOT as NZ doesn't have great cell phone coverage amongst our lumpy bits where we riders tend to spend most of our time. Also I'm planning on shipping the bike over your way again for another big-ish trip in Aug next year and the SPOT will be good for that.