SPOT info - service plans

[Ticklebelly]

I'm about to put in a submission of a community grant to buy a couple of SPOTs for the club. However, the SPOT website (http://www.findmespot.net.au/) is less than uesless for my purposes. I assume it's the official site, but I may be wrong, hence the post. I'm still searching the web but could anyone point me to where I can get some info on HOW to get a service plan and how to set it up? Basically, I want the info so I can put in a submission for a grant of X dollars for a basic device plus a two year subscription plus tracking.

Ticklebelly

[Marwood]

Try: http://au.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=103

[Ticklebelly]

Try: http://au.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=103

Thanks for the suggestion but that is one of the pages I am having an issue with. It's like Microsoft Help, useless when you want to know HOW to do something. I worked out some time ago that I need a service plan but still cannot find out HOW you go about setting one up.

This is a particlar *&%$#! of mine, software weenies. I often write user manuals/instructions for custom software and I constantly struggle to get the idiot savant nerds to think further than the right click button on the mouse. When users use software, they often want to know how to do something, not be told that the can.

Ticklebelly

[shazcol]

you need to go through the registration process / have an active account.
https://login.findmespot.com/spot-main- ... login.html
Press the 'Begin Activation' button. You also need a valid credit card to activate as they automatically roll your subscription over each year unless you put a stop to it.
There is a quite comprehensive FAQ here that answers most queries:
http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=1700

[Nuts]

Yes, thats a horrid website, believe it or not it's a vast improvement on the days of spot1. Iv'e just been through the marginally better spot connect process with an iphone app but nowhere could (I) find that you needed to activate bluetooth in a certain sequence to initiate tracking... While I have the tracking up and running it was no thanks to the help menu (it is likely in the help files somewhere..?) I also tried to update the software but my mac itself needs a newer OS, when I access from another computer it lists that I still have the spot 1 active..

The site still doesn't seem to really explain the process even as much as is covered in the FAQ, i guess you click on the orange activate/purchase buttons and get into the process itself? Not ideal in trying to talk others through it..

If it's any consolation, spot does seem to be far less clunky in operation than previously.

[Azza]

Pretty simple...

You buy a spot... It has a serial number.
You click on "Active a spot device" then create an account and register the spot against the account using the serial no.
Pay appropriate subscription fee's for level of service desired. e.g. Tracking or no tracking.

Done.

[Gusto]

I am interested to know what you find out. I am personally more interested in the Delorme InReach as it allows 2 way messaging. I don't think the SPOT can recieve a message. http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10820&minisite=10020/eurl.axd/ce5334129eceaf4f979c6120a65ff1f0/

[Gusto]

From What I gather these are the prices:

Up Front Cost.

A) SPOT (Basic Model): $207AU - One way message service, can only send 5 different messages that have been programmed online
B) SPOT Connect: $239AU - One way message service that can connect to a smartphone. In the field you can select who to send 41 character text messages to and these are also typed in the field. Presumably the SOS function still works without the need for a mobile.
C) Delorme InReach: $249 US. - Two way message service (i.e. can send and receive). Can work with and without an Android smart phone. Without the phone there is an SOS button and a preloaded text message. When used with an smart phone it can send and receive 160 character text messages typed in the field to who ever you chose to in the field.

All 3 devices also a 'tracking' function. This sends your gps location via email and text message to a nominated person every so often (about 15 mins apart) to you

On Going Service Fees

SPOT Has an annual fee of $115US. Which covers all the features of the basic SPOT. Except Tracking
Delorme's minimum annual fee is $120US. (They actually monthly, but require 12 month subscription. Their cheapest plan is $9.95US per month). This covers SOS button and 10 messages a month.

Extras

SPOT: $50US a year for Tracking. 100 messages for $30, or 500 messages for $50. additional messages 50cents. (note a message is 41 characters)

Delorne: two higher service plans. One is $25 a month and one $50 a month. Both include tracking and extra messages.


Overall I prefer the Delorme. I am going to buy one soon

[photohiker]

Overall I prefer the Delorme. I am going to buy one soon

The fee is pretty hefty with tracking: $24.95/month, $299.40/yr minimum.

Have you verified that you can get a US plan from Australia? I noticed this little titbit:

The subscription plan is exclusively for U.S. based activations by individual consumers.

Also, what is Delorme's process for SOS activations?

Unit looks good. Pity there is no iPhone app for it, but standalone, it would be a good alternative to a Spot with message delivery confirmation.

[Gusto]

The fee is pretty hefty with tracking: $24.95/month, $299.40/yr minimum.

For me, tracking is useless. For my needs the basic "Safety" 9.95 per month plan would suffice. If I sent more than 10 messages in the month then I would be charged at $1.50 per message. I'd only use it in times of need and perhaps to send the occasional message that all is well. In those events I really like the ability to be able to send and receive messages. Tracking uses up batteries. Also all individual messages sent include gps co-ords anyway.

Have you verified that you can get a US plan from Australia? I noticed this little titbit:

The subscription plan is exclusively for U.S. based activations by individual consumers.

Yes Indeed I have,
I sent them this enquiry "I live in Australia. I would like to buy an InReach device. Am I able to do this? It would seem your website mentions sales in USA and Canada but no where else in the world."

Their response via email was this "You can absolutely purchase an InReach from us. The subscription plan would be considered a U.S. plan but can be used anywhere in the world. You can order either through our website www.delorme.com or by calling our Sales and Service Department at 1-800-561-5105 someone would be happy to assist you."

Also, what is Delorme's process for SOS activations?

Good Question. The websites would imply that they both use the GEOS. See below.

Delorme's Website states this:

Emergency Services Powered by GEOS
At the heart of the inReach safety and security services is the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) in Houston. The IERCC is housed in what some call the "most secure data center in the world." IERCC IT systems are housed in an underground anti-nuclear bunker that was converted to a data center less than a decade ago. The facility has redundant electrical grids, internet fiber connectivity and is completely self-sufficient when the outside world goes away. The IERCC is staffed 24/7, 365 days per year with Watch Standers, SAR Mission Coordinators, and Duty Officers.


SPOT's website states:
"Use this function In the event of a life threatening or other critical emergency to notify emergency services of your GPS location and that you need assistance. The GEOS International Emergency Response Center alerts the appropriate agencies worldwide – for example contacting 9-1-1 responders in North America and 1-1-2 responders in Europe."



The Delorme InReach is on the Iridium Satellite network, so I am confident that it will have reception in Australia. Also I believe that SPOTs are using Iridium these days.

[Nuts]

An older irridium sat phone wouldn't be a lot dearer.. especially if you had a plan already? (just as another option..)

[mikethepike]

I bought Spot last year and this year paid the fee for 12 months tracking and it's a pity that you can't pay for shorter periods of time for this function but I don't think that it's possible. I got onto Spot two years ago when my son used it on the London to Mongolia car (not more than 1000cc motor) rally and we could follow and see his journey on Google Earth. I found that for bushwalking though that due to its isolation, I can't find the need for a set message for the 'Help' option, like the motorist might eg 'Please send a new CV joint'. With bushwalking, you have to either sort you own problems out or you need the SOS, nothing in between. That's where a more flexible unit could be more useful.
Just on PLB (SOS) function of Spot, does anyone know how its signal strength compares with that of a dedicated PLB units? Spot advises that if you can't get a signal through (it tells you that) then move to clearer (probably higher treeless) ground but that may not be an option for a solo walker with a serious health problem. I'd be interested to get some feedback on this.

[Gusto]

Hi

for work purposes we have the Help button programmed into mean that we would like assistance in the field, possibly and evacuation. This is useful when there is no need to involve emergency services as the situation isn't immediately life threatening/urgent. We've never had to use this yet as we rely primarily on our Sat Phones.

[GD4Up]

We've been using SPOT for less than a year for work. Be aware that there's been some problems with relaying of messages - our field teams hit the OK button every couple of hours as a 'dead man switch', when they weren't registering (no panic boss, the field teams haven't registered since they went out this morning so we think there's something wrong with the system rather than every team is in trouble) we discovered that the messages weren't transferring due to a technical problem. Sometimes I think a sat phone with a call-in procedure might be more reliable.

[adventures]

From What I gather these are the prices:

Up Front Cost.

A) SPOT (Basic Model): $207AU - One way message service, can only send 5 different messages that have been programmed online
B) SPOT Connect: $239AU - One way message service that can connect to a smartphone. In the field you can select who to send 41 character text messages to and these are also typed in the field. Presumably the SOS function still works without the need for a mobile.
C) Delorme InReach: $249 US. - Two way message service (i.e. can send and receive). Can work with and without an Android smart phone. Without the phone there is an SOS button and a preloaded text message. When used with an smart phone it can send and receive 160 character text messages typed in the field to who ever you chose to in the field.

All 3 devices also a 'tracking' function. This sends your gps location via email and text message to a nominated person every so often (about 15 mins apart) to you

On Going Service Fees

SPOT Has an annual fee of $115US. Which covers all the features of the basic SPOT. Except Tracking
Delorme's minimum annual fee is $120US. (They actually monthly, but require 12 month subscription. Their cheapest plan is $9.95US per month). This covers SOS button and 10 messages a month.

Extras

SPOT: $50US a year for Tracking. 100 messages for $30, or 500 messages for $50. additional messages 50cents. (note a message is 41 characters)

Delorne: two higher service plans. One is $25 a month and one $50 a month. Both include tracking and extra messages.


Overall I prefer the Delorme. I am going to buy one soon

... I just bought a SPOT and connected up - the basic SPOT cost me $195 using the ASCLUBS discount code on adventure safety .com.au ... a little less than you've quoted, then every $ does count! It was easy to set up, and the bread-crumb trail was a hit with those at home.

[RSD]

I came across this press release http://www.delorme.com//about/pressreleases/inReach_Partner.htm while researching GPS's and Spots etc. It looks like the Delorme InReach will be sold here in Australia soon.

[Gusto]

It would seem that there have been some changes in a few things.

* Purchase costs of SPOTs have decreased and there are a lot of place you can buy them from, such as ebay now.
* The Delorme InReach now supports Iphones

* And there is also a Yellow-Brick 2way messaging device that would seem to have more features than the Inreach, but at a much greater cost.

I haven't bought one yet, but I would still be leaning towards the Delorme InReach, for my purposes.

[photohiker]

That's good, I like the sound of the Delorme.

The Delorme plans are getting better too. The 'Recreation' plan now includes unlimited tracking at 24.95/month, and you can also go seasonal for a 4 month minimum at $39.95/month. Dearer than Spot, but should also have more reliability.