[pct-l] SPOT Locator beacon

[Bill Batchelor]

I read somewhere that the SPOT has a 95% "worked" when it is turned on and
"I am here" or "I need Help" button is pused and then it is left on at that
location for 20 minutes.  This, I believe, is the original intent of the
product.  The idea is that if you are stuck or fallen or otherwise in need,
you'd turn it on, press the help button, and lay it at your side.    The
signal will keep retrying and within 20 minutes it will be successful.

That being said, I am not sure the "tracking" function would work well
(where it reports a position periodically) accept say on those occasions
when you are on a break (lunch) or at camp and the unit is sitting in one
place exposed for the said 20 minutes.   Another user also said that in
their pocket, it never got a signal.  They have made a small sleeve on the
top of the shoder strap to put it in for better exposer.   

I really like the idea since I often hike alone.  It is far less expensive
and lighter than the alternatives.  I would like to test it though at some
less than ideal position - say at the bottom of a canyon with modest tree
coverage - and give it the full 20 minutes to see if the signal goes out.
The function of "I am here" is the same as the "help" from a technology
standpoint.  So, testing the "I am here" function would tell you how "help"
would work too.

Gumby.

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Philippa Nye
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2008 5:38 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] SPOT Locator beacon

Someone asked about the SPOT locator beacon.  I bought one a week ago and
have been testing the tracking function while hiking and driving, and I have
to say I'm not too happy with it.  I spent about 3 hours out walking today,
alot of it on a beach that was WIDE open to the sky, and the thing did not
track me once.  It is not very clear why it doesn't work in certain really
open areas (in this case it was hooked to my belt, so maybe it doesn't work
well in that position), but it definitely doesn't seem to work when there
are trees within a hundred feet or so.  My assessment so far is, better than
nothing but I hope if I have an emergency that I'm mobile enough to get out
in a really open area, otherwise I'm SOL.
   
   I'll report more as I test it more.  

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