Does anyone on the list have a b Spotb by Globestar? b Spotb is essentially a reverse GPS that sends a satellite help signal. The signal includes the time and your latitude and longitude within an accuracy of 5 meters. The help signal can be sent to 5 preprogrammed email addresses and 5 smart phones, or to local 911 services. The device can be purchased through the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron for $169, plus a $100 annual service charge. My intention is to extend my paddling season into the late fall months. This device adds an extra layer of safety. Survival time in 4C water is about 15 minutes. Although a dry suit will extend this time, you donbt want to mess around. Ibll be paddling in a city harbour that does have year-round harbour police and fire services. Boat traffic will be limited because most of the Sailing clubs an Marinas do their haul outs in Mid-October. Alternatives to b Spotb include EPIRBs. The economy priced EPIRBs provide a locating capability of a 2.5km search area and a 2 hour response time. This is slow and comparatively inefficient. The more expensive GPS enabled EPIRBs are $1000 or more. It seems to me that b Spotb is better $value$ then an EPIRB. A waterproof cell phone is a viable option, but it requires a sequence of multiple cell phone button presses to get a signal out. Cell phone signal strength in waterfront areas can be inconsistent. I do carry a VHF handheld, but this is only useful if someone is listening. Is anyone familiar with the b SPOTb device? Does anyone have any comments on its Functionality? Durability? Reliability? Are the buttons positioned such that an accidental alarm is unlikely? Does anyone have any additional wisdom on this topic? Derek Additional Info: http://www.satellitecomsource.com/page.php?id=44 --------------------------------------------------------------- Please limit all email attachments sent to this address to a maximum of 0.5MB. All email attachments that are larger then 0.5MB will automatically be deleted. --------------------------------------------------------------- ICQ: 262152266, AIM: GlamourpetsD, MSN: [my email address], Yahoo Messenger: glamourpets --------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Derek wrote Does anyone on the list have a b Spotb by Globestar? > We had a lot of conversation about SPOT on Paddlewise over the summer. The main problem with the SPOT system is three fold. First the unit has no way of telling you that your signal has been received. So if you are in an area of bad satellite coverage or in a steep fjord then you may think you sent out a signal but in reality no relieved the signal which leads to the second problem. Panicky friends and family! The Coast Guard report receiving 4 false alarms for missing kayakers because worried relatives, friends or in one case an ex wife did not receive the "I am O. K." message and feared the worst and called the Coast Guard. All were "found" safe and sound and not the least bit lost. The Coast Guard has now decided to treat persons reported missing due to lack of a SPOT signal as "unreported" (as in the boat has not report in as yet) as opposed to missing and in distress. In other word they will broadcast and message over the marine channels asking all boats to keep a look out for the "unreported kayakers". In other words they will not launch a chopper into the air because your Aunt Melba hit the panic button. They will however respond to the 911 signal but this signal must first be recieved by the SPOT center in Houston texas then relayed to the Coast Guard. Tick, Tick Tick slowly goes the clock as you tread water. The third problem is that in at least two cases reported to me the SPOT unit has been accidentally turned on while being jostled in a pack and has sent out a distress signal. One of our local fireman was a student in a climbing class on Denali when a rescue chopper began to circle them. Seems the instructors SPOT was crying for help! I own a spot unit and use it to let my family know where I am. However we sit down together before hand and talk about when to call for help. I am more likely to use my VHF radio or pistol flares if I need help rather than rely on a SPOT signal that may or may not get through. By the way, in conversation with the Coast Guard Command center they noted that the kayakers who carried the SPOT system tended to be electronic buffs who also carried radios, sat phones or EPRIB. If you use the SPOT system in a remote area I suggest turning it on and waiting 15 minutes to insure it establishes a signal then after activating the "I am O K " button let is transmit for another 15. I live in Southeast Alaska and each time I followed that procedure my signal made it back to my contact email list. There has also been some chatter on Search and Rescue blogs about how to get information from the SPOT people about who sent the 911 signal. Hopefully this is being worked out but on SAR commander complained the SPOT people were reluctant to give him the information he needed to start a search. safe paddling Bob *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Bob wrote..... B! If you use the SPOT system in a remote area I suggest turning it on and waiting 15 minutes to insure it establishes a signal then after activating the "I am O K " button let is transmit for another 15. .......... safe paddling Bob I liked very much your resume Bob, I just would like to add something. Once you turn it on it starts looking for satellites but once it finds them signals are sent reasonably quickly after the Im OK button is pushed. The good thing about is is that when the OK button is pressed the ON light and OK light flash together. Once the message has been sent the OK light stops and only the ON light stays. So I keep my radio on during my whole crossing. I have been using it for more than 200 hours now still with the original batteries, so there is no need to turn it off after each OK signal. Just keep it on and it will stay hooked to the satellites and therefore each OK sign will go out in less than a minute or so if sky is clear from objects. Best Regards, Rafael. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, Sep 22, 2008 at 11:25 AM, Derek <glamourpets_at_yahoo.com> wrote: > Does anyone on the list have a b Spotb by Globestar? <snip> > > My intention is to extend my paddling season into the late fall months. > This device adds an extra layer of safety. Survival time in 4C water is > about 15 minutes. Although a dry suit will extend this time, you donb t > want to mess around. Ib ll be paddling in a city harbour that does have > year-round harbour police and fire services. Boat traffic will be limited > because most of the Sailing clubs an Marinas do their haul outs in > Mid-October. SPOT's ability to operate "world wide" is, if you'll pardon the pun, spotty. It does seem to offer reasonable coverage of North America, however. But not Oceania, much of Asia, or nearly all of southern Africa. Bob Carter did a creditable job of presenting some of the drawbacks of using SPOT as a safety device both from a personal standpoint (will they get to me in time) and a cultural standpoint (Aunt Mabel getting antsy at not receiving an "ok" message). Be sure the people you appoint to receive your "ok" messages understand the way the system works. There are other problems. SPOT personnel seem to have a difficult time identifying just exactly which SAR agency should be notified if a "911" call comes in. This is especially true for hikers and climbers; less so for paddlers and yachtsmen since the agency is usually a Federal not a local SAR agency. But if you are paddling in an area where there may be some crossover in rescue functions (like a harbor with both harbor police and local police and Coast Guard) then it may take a long time to get it all sorted out. I do carry a VHF handheld, but this is only useful if someone is > listening. > > If you paddle a harbor area then the Coastguard (either US or Canadian) should be listening to Channel 16. This is by far the most reliable device to get you rescued in a timely manner because you are talking directly to the SAR (Search and Rescue) authority... and the people who will be coming to get you. If you have harbor police they should also be monitoring channel 16. The VHF does not depend on local boaters to be "listening" in order to be an effective rescue device. If all you do is paddle a harbor in fall and winter then make certain your VHF handheld is fully charged - and can hold its charge for the duration of your paddle. Batteries on the new VHF handhelds are much improved over those sold even a couple of years ago. Also take along flares that will help guide rescue personnel to you during daylight as well as night hours. And dress for the water temperature not the air temperatures. Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I have had a SPOT unit for paddling since last December. I'm also very well acquainted with what can happen when you can't communicate a problem. I lost a very good friend in a kayaking incident. An EPIRB, SPOT, VHF, cell phone, flares, or even smoke might have saved his life (Seakayaker Magazine December '07). The SPOT is a good ADDITION to your other safety devices and serves as an additional layer of defense. It should not be your only one. I have had no problem getting it to lock onto the GPS satellites or the GEOS communication satellites and I have used my device in Southern California, British Columbia, and Tadoussac, Quebec. While hiking in Sequoia National Park, it sometimes took a while to lock onto the satellites. I have also programmed the "HELP" button on my unit to send a message that says "The weather has changed. I'm OK, but will spend the night at this location." My family knows to call the CG when they haven't heard from me by the time my float plan calls for, not because they didn't receive an OK SPOT message. In the type of paddling I do, I can always reach them via cell phone, VHF, and SPOT. My unit is still operating on the original set of Lithium Ion batteries that I bought when I got it. Although I have spares, the originals are still showing good life. Again, the SPOT is a tool - you CAN tell if a message has been sent successfully if you watch the lights, but it can take up to 20 minutes. It DOES NOT replace your VHF or cell phone. Used within the context for which it was designed, the unit is great, but it is not a replacement for everything else you carry and most importantly for good old fashioned common sense. Steve Holtzman Southern California __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 3461 (20080922) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> > Alternatives to b Spotb include EPIRBs. The economy priced EPIRBs provide a locating capability of a 2.5km search area and a 2 hour response time. This is slow and comparatively inefficient. The more expensive GPS enabled EPIRBs are $1000 or more. ***************************** Perhaps they cost over $1000 years ago, when were first introduced, but now it costs no more than $500 http://www.landfallnavigation.com/aquafix.html . I think, Ebay stores sell ACR *Fix (AquaFix, TerraFix, AeroFix - they are the same, only colour is different) for less than $350. I also think this is not true that ACR I/O (with internal GPS) has a locating capability 2.5 km. It transmits your GPS coordinates, and they should be within 50 m accuracy in most areas. EPIRB response time depends on where on this big planet you are. Some places do not have any SAR services, to speak of. So you'll have to wait - with ANY transmitted coordinates, by ANY device - until those who received it will relay the info to those who are able or have a duty to perform search and rescue. It can be days in some places until somebody will be able to reach you, due to weather, terrain, limited local resources and other reasons. Unlike SPOT, EPIRB transmits your current coordinates non-stop, changing coordinates if you're moving, after you've activated it and until the batttery is gone, which is from 20 to 36 hours depending on water temperature. Don't remember now, but I recall ACR used to have some "homing" signal used on short distances to better pinpoint your location. Probably, not important feature with current WAAS accuracy og GPS satellites. The only reason for me to delaying the purchase is that I find it a little bulky and wait until they come up with something smaller. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Alex said: > Unlike SPOT, EPIRB transmits your current coordinates non-stop, > changing > coordinates if you're moving, after you've activated it and until the > batttery > is gone, which is from 20 to 36 hours depending on water temperature. [Steve Holtzman] Alex, One correction. The SPOT continues to transmit your updated location every 5 minutes until the batteries die (typically around 7 days) in the 911 mode (the one you should be using for life and death situations, the same situations you would activate an EPIRB for) or until you manually cancel it. In the HELP mode (which I have changed my message to read that "I'm OK, but the weather has changed and I will remain here overnight, the message is sent every 5 minutes for 1 hour. I could always activate that function a second, third, or however many times I wanted. The "OK" function transmit the message 3 times and then stops. I use it as a tracking function during the day. So basically, the SPOT has the same function as an EPIRB, and it ALSO has some additional functions. Steve Holtzman *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Good to know. Why you think there is such a difference in battery life - 36 hrs vs 168 hrs? Is it because Spot transmits only every 5 minutes, and EPIRB - more often? > Alex said: > > Unlike SPOT, EPIRB transmits your current coordinates non-stop, > > changing > > coordinates if you're moving, after you've activated it and until the > > batttery > > is gone, which is from 20 to 36 hours depending on water temperature. > [Steve Holtzman] > > Alex, > > One correction. The SPOT continues to transmit your updated location every 5 > minutes until the batteries die (typically around 7 days) in the 911 mode > (the one you should be using for life and death situations, the same > situations you would activate an EPIRB for) or until you manually cancel it. > > In the HELP mode (which I have changed my message to read that "I'm OK, but > the weather has changed and I will remain here overnight, the message is > sent every 5 minutes for 1 hour. I could always activate that function a > second, third, or however many times I wanted. > > The "OK" function transmit the message 3 times and then stops. I use it as a > tracking function during the day. > > So basically, the SPOT has the same function as an EPIRB, and it ALSO has > some additional functions. > > Steve Holtzman *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Alex said: > Good to know. Why you think there is such a difference in battery life > - 36 > hrs vs 168 hrs? Is it because Spot transmits only every 5 minutes, and > EPIRB - more often? [Steve Holtzman] Alex, I don't think it's because one transmits more, but rather, the GEOS satellites that the SPOT transmits to are in lower orbits and therefore should require less transmitting power. The biggest difference between the units are in areas covered. The SPOT does not have coverage over the entire world. In fact, Alaska just came into their coverage area within the last month or two. If you are in the coverage area, it's a good tool IMHO, but if you're outside of their coverage area, it's just expensive junk. Steve Steve __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 3466 (20080923) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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