On Sun, Jul 20, 2008 at 1:43 AM, alex <al.m_at_3web.net> wrote: >> Marketing the device to the widest >> possible audience is probably the only way the company can turn a profit >> (satellites are not cheap). It's also the most likely way that the device >> will be devalued over time. >> >> At some point in the near future you can expect that SAR operations >> undertaken on the basis of a lack of SPOT information will not happen > unless >> there is some other evidence of a problem independent of SPOT. > > 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 :-) The problem is that people are panicking over a lack of an OK message sent from SPOT, and not responding to an actual call for help. There is every reason for the Coast Guard and other SAR operators to be skeptical of a lack of SPOT tracking or OK messages - they absolutely should not respond for that reason alone. There really should be some other information other than a lack of SPOT tracking. I would be surprised if they don't quickly establish a policy like that. However, SPOT can call for help, and THAT is the primary SAR usage for the device - not failure to receive OK or tracking messages. There's little reason to believe that 911 functionality of SPOT will ever be ignored due to false alarms, especially if you're paying GEOS for the search and rescue insurance as well. So no, there won't be an end of SPOT usefulness, and you shouldn't leave it at home. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Jul 21 2008 - 20:35:04 PDT
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