Bushwalk Australia

Hi,

I was looking at hiring a SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger unit for an extended walk I am doing. So far I have found one hire place that has reasonable rates, $80 for 4 weeks at www.ozsatelliterentals.com/product/spot

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this device or knows of any cheap hire places?

haent used one but i've read comments saying not as reliable as a locator beacon. depends on the terrain you're in. if its open terrain should be ok for reception. dont expect it to work under a heavy canopy of trees or in deep narrow valleys.

Allchin09 wrote:I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this device or knows of any cheap hire places?

Hi.

Yes, there has been plenty of discussion about the device. In a nutshell, 'it depends'

Used properly, they are good, best in open terrain, and better than a EPIRB if you mainly want to let folks back home where you are. If you just want it for emergency, an EPIRB is better.

Suggest you search the forum, here is somewhere to start: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=spot2+site%3Abushwalk.com

I have used the Spot device on the Overland Track, The latest model is realy good with the seperate button for the check in / okay function.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102

The older model from memory was larger & I was uncertain as to know if my partner received the check in message at the end of each day.
Some days she did receive multiple check in messages.
I borrowed one from work, so I cant give you information on hiring.
Regards Overlandman

I have a Spot Messenger 2 which I had setup to send texts to various people (okay message) and also linked into SpotWalla so that I could be followed online. I used it on a 40 day bicycle tour into the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. Worked fine for me as long as I had it positioned on the bike to have reasonable access to the satellites. In my case this meant in the map pouch on my handlebar bag. The one day I kept it in the handlebar bag the tracking was seriously off.

My only other niggle is that it can take a fair while to send the okay message. Spot say up to an hour. I had found it took around 15 to 30 minutes most days.

Oh battery life was around 10 days with about six to seven hours of use each day.

Regards
Andrew

It sounds like I'd have to strap it to the outside of my pack to get a consistent signal. I really like the tracking feature, shame you have to pay extra for.

I secure the one I use on top of the pack, works fine there.
Regards Overlandman

Alex,

I rented a Spot I from Ozsattelite a couple of years ago - worked fine for me, and great service. Their rates were about the best I could find for an extended rental.

Mad

I think I will go with them, I haven't found any cheaper rental places yet. Good to hear the service was up to standard.

feels to me like you'd be better off purchasing - at $80 you've paid 50% of the purchase price! Does the $80 include the service or just the device?

Yes, the ozsatellite rental includes the monitoring.

I think monitoring costs about $120/year in addition to the unit itself. So renting does make sense if you think this is the only time you are going to need such a device.

Renting is an option. But I see that you can buy them for $100.
Are there subscription charges.?
Did a 4 day walk solo, did not any other people, Vic Alps, often no mobile coverage. Got off course and had a fall, ok tho BUT if I wasn't I doubt I would been found.

rocketrm2 wrote:Renting is an option. But I see that you can buy them for $100.
Are there subscription charges.?

Yes. Yearly plan is US$115 and tracking is an extra $49.99

The Spot Gen 3 is US$164.99 per year including basic tracking.

Mine lives strapped to my shoulder strap in its case. I've never had any issues with it. Also have a shop around. I picked mine up uber cheap brand new on ebay a few years back.