Re: [Paddlewise] SPOT anxiety

Dave Kruger wrote:

> alex wrote:
>
>> When this happens, i.e. when SAR operations would commence only when
>> problem has been reported by source other than SPOT, this will mark the
>> end of SPOT usefulness and we may as well leave it home :-)
>
>
> Well said, Alex.
>
> Unless the SPOT manufacturer/provider fixes the flaw, I think it is 
> mainly useful as a convenient way of tracking someone.  Certainly good 
> for that, as Jackie describes, but it is being marketed as a good way 
> to ensure help is summoned if you _fail_ to report in.



I totally disagree that the SPOT usefulness is limited to SAR.  I never 
had the impression that it's primary purpose or a main purpose was for 
SAR.  Satellite links are not reliable enough nor are internet 
connections or systems that use the system.  Satellites often do not 
pick up signals in canyons.  I'm not sure where this idea came from that 
SPOT is primarily (or in any way significantly) used for SAR.

I have lots of photos of terrific vacation spots, some of locations that 
I no longer recall where those photos were taken.  SPOT can be a 
terrific tool to use to reference vacation photos or just log the 
location of places you visited but may not have photographed.  

Jackie
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