[pct-l] Anyone have experience with SPOT-2 satellite messengers? Any alternative options?

[Dan Engleman]

I own a Spot 1 and a Spot 2.   I used Spot II on a thru hike, in 2011.  If I do another thru hike, I will probably take the older version of Spot with me. Reason being, you don't have to have a phone with you to make it work; if something happens to your smartphone (which happened to me in the Sierras) your Spot 2 is worthless.  
 
Having to have both my Spot 2 and my smart phone (on at the same time) was an additional drain on my limited battery charge.  I did carry extra batteries, but that meant more expense and one more time consuming "duty" when I got to town.  Charging extra batteries is no big deal if you spend a night in a motel, but if you just want to get in and out of town it is a bit of a hassel. 
 
Dan
 
 
 

________________________________
 From: Ed Jarrett <edjarrett at msn.com>
To: PCT List <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 12:03 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Anyone have experience with SPOT-2 satellite messengers? Any alternative options?
  

I have had a clear shot of the sky, at least in Washington, where I still did not get a message out.  I believe the Global Star satellites used by SPOT for transmitting locations do not cover the polar regions; and while Washington is not in a polar region, the satellites are low enough on the horizon that being down in a valley can block them, even if you have a good view of the sky, and even if you have good GPS coverage.  The further south I have gotten (just into California so far) the less I have had issues getting out, even with tree coverage.

Ed Jarretthttp://aclayjar.blogspot.com/

> From: michaeljirving at gmail.com
> Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:20:03 -0800
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Anyone have experience with SPOT-2 satellite    messengers? Any alternative options?
> 
> You just have to make sure you have a clear shot to the sky when sending messages. I've used Spot Connect with my iPhone for 2 years in Oregon on the PCT. it can't go through tree cover so the every 10 minutes pings will sparsely go through when you're in heavy tree cover. Just find an open spot when you actually send messages. 
> 
> On Jan 22, 2013, at 11:14 AM, Ed Jarrett <edjarrett at msn.com> wrote:
> 
> > 
> > I have been using a SPOT Connect coupled with my Android phone over the past couple of years.  I have found it to be fairly reliable and it allows me to send short text messages as needed.  Downsides: you don't know if a message actually was delivered; you can receive nothing from anyone; the farther north you go the less coverage.  In Washington I seemed to have more missing pings than I did further south.  All in all I would recommend it to anyone with someone at home that you want to provide daily assurance to.
> > 
> > Ed Jarrett - http://aclayjar.blogspot.com/
> > 
> >> From: river at orcasonline.com
> >> Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:05:46 -0800
> >> To: mendoridered at yahoo.com
> >> CC: pct-l at backcountry.net
> >> Subject: [pct-l] Anyone have experience with SPOT-2 satellite messengers?    Any alternative options?
> >> 
> >> I would love to hear from other hikers on the current model (SPOT-2) and also any alternatives that would help both with
> >> reassuring those at home and with emergency calls if needed.
> >> 
> >> Thanks
> >> River
> > 
> >                        
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