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SPOT Gen 3 GPS Messenger

Sun 15 Nov, 2015 4:28 pm

What are everyones thoughts on this?
https://www.ja-gps.com.au/SPOT/spot-gen-3/
Is it effective in Australia
Does anyone have one and know what the additional costs are for subscription?

Re: SPOT Gen 3 GPS Messenger

Sun 15 Nov, 2015 4:33 pm

search the forum, its been discussed a fair bit in threads before. cheers

Re: SPOT Gen 3 GPS Messenger

Sun 15 Nov, 2015 4:53 pm

For tracking - it's supposedly a good option.

For Emergency - get a PLB.

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Re: SPOT Gen 3 GPS Messenger

Sun 15 Nov, 2015 5:27 pm

I have one and it's never failed in over 50 "OK" messages to phones, email and social media. I don't use the tracking to preserve the batteries.

Re: SPOT Gen 3 GPS Messenger

Sun 15 Nov, 2015 5:28 pm

Hi.

As suggested, search the forum. For some it works a treat, for others they thought perhaps there was reliability of coverage issues, but I can't remember for sure.

If it is in ANY way being purchased for rescue capability, then buy a PLB instead. I'd only buy one if I already had a PLB and wanted the additional message home capability on top.

I bought the PLB1 RescueMe from Appleseed last week and it's tiny. A minor annoyance was a delay because they can't ship PLB without confirmation of your identity from the electoral roll or some such - they emailed me for confirmation, but it went to my junk and caused a 1 or so week delay before it was sorted out.

Best way to search this forum is in Google using "site:bushwalk.com" in the search string.

Re: SPOT Gen 3 GPS Messenger

Sun 15 Nov, 2015 6:13 pm

I second the comments of GBW. I lost one message out of 100+ and that was from a very deep and steep sided valley with heavy tree cover. Decide what you want - keeping loved ones informed with rescue a lesser priority then the SPOT is a good option. Only want it for rescue then a plb.

I would comment that by having a well thought out messaging protocol you can do things with a SPOT like letting people know you are running late but OK and even get assistance for a vehicle breakdown - can't do that with a plb. Key thing is to make sure you follow the instructions and let it run for the required length of time in a a well chosen location.

Re: SPOT Gen 3 GPS Messenger

Sun 15 Nov, 2015 7:58 pm

Look into InReach also if one is looking for two way text messaging. Otherwise for rescue calls, a current generation PLB is the go.


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