ragmongo

I'm considering purchasing this product for my touring. ANyone have anything positive or negative experience with this device?

supcom

The SPOT messenger has a very limited application. It's main function is an emergency locating beacon with a very limited ability to send a predefined message to a preselected address. It's best use is for people who are traveling in remote areas outside of regular communications.

For cycle touring, you should consider under what circumstances you would use the device. Generally, the use of the rescue function is limited to cases where you are in danger of loss of life or serious injury with no other rescue options. If you are riding along roads, this presumes that you are in a situation where you are outside of cellphone coverage and you are injured with very little chance of waving down a passing motorist yet still capable of accessing and using the device. I see this as a very low probability scenario.

The ability to send "I'm OK messages" is all very nice, but unless you are planning an off-road adventure, I think it would be better, and cheaper, to take along a prepaid calling card and use a pay phone.

I have experience with the SPOT Messenger, though I would expect it does what they claim. Like any emergency locating transmitter, it uses the US governments rescue beacon satellites. If you did activate the emergency function, you can be sure that someone will come find you - at least in the US.

Pedal Wench

Actually, it uses its parent company's satellites -- Globalstar. The GPS portion uses the usual satellites for positioning, but the personal information (your message and location as determined by the GPS locator)uses the same satellites used for Globalstar's satellite phones.

ragmongo

Thank you for your perspective. That's the kind of advice a rookie like me needs.

SandLizrd

Cool device, thanks for the info!

We've heard about locators but this one seems better in so many ways:
- it's only $150
- it can send spots to friends/family that show on GoogleEarth
- the spots feature is for 24 hours so user has to hit a button to make it spot. So, it's not a real tracking device.
- it has a HELP button and also a 911 button - to me that's the difference between broken leg and broken head

on the downside,
- It takes $100 subscription to make it work
- it takes an additional $50 subscription to make it do spots

On my average MTB rides, I can either crawl the 10 miles back to the truck or some other rider will come along. Or, of course, cell coverage will save me. But when I get around to my master plan and ride the Great Western Divide.... I want one of these!