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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts
Initially Posted - 05/11/2008 :  19:48:48  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
As you can see, we had an interesting trip this weekend

This Spot device is way cool. We subscribed this afternoon and sent an OK signal to our friends and family before leaving for Mom's Day Dinner with them.

Here's the link to the map of our sail today

[url="http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?&glId=083HxGyx5yh6iMzK3HECDFhihK6CFxSMa"]FindMeSpot.com[/url]

Paul.
Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.


Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 05/11/2008 :  20:26:00  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
Paul,
All I see is a single entry at what I'm guessing is your house? I was expecting to see a track? Or is the single entry what you meant to send?

Well, I sort of answered my own question. I still don't see a track, but I turned on the satellite images, and I can see JD in your backyard (very cool).
Edited by - delliottg on 05/11/2008 21:16:26
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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts
Response Posted - 05/11/2008 :  21:32:38  Show Profile
very cool.
I looked at the satellite image too
I have an old Highschool pal that lives very close to your location.
He's in(on) Pompano beach.
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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts
Response Posted - 05/12/2008 :  12:50:00  Show Profile  Visit piseas's Homepage
Paul, hope you don't mind but what made you select The Spot over a handheld VHF with built-in GPS. I was looking at Spot but after looking at pros and cons and price is about same after subscription costs, I was thinking Spot was not such a good idea.
Steve A
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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts
Response Posted - 05/12/2008 :  13:52:46  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
Steve, it was a joint decision

As we plan to extend our sailing area beyond Biscayne Bay, in particular making a Bimini cruise 2nd weekend of June, we thought of what we would need if we lost our primary GPS and if something nasty occurred mid crossing.

We decided that we wanted both a backup GPS (we're getting a handheld Garmin) and a 'life alert' and that's where Spot came in.

The added bonus of allowing friends and family to keep track of us for just $45 is big for us.

So far we're very pleased. The sign up process is pretty straight forward, although you have to learn the lingo.
The device is known as a SPOT Messenger (on the findmespot website). It only took about 10 minutes to register it online. We set up 'Teams' of people we want to be alerted (we only have one team right now).

We can set teams of 10 for 'Ok' signals, 'Help' signals and '911' signals. the later are phone numbers.

The details are in the usage. We were at home when we did the test, the manual states it takes up to 20 minutes for the signal to be sent. So if you were in hailing distance of a USCG boat and hit the alert, they could be 20 miles away when the signal is sent to boats in the area. But out on the ocean, that's totally reasonable!

I'm guessing the time for signal sending it dependant upon the location of the spot messenger, out in the open with better satellite view would be quicker than inside our car (where it was yesterday).


As it happens we got it at the right time, WM had a special discount of $20 if we purchased the 3year warranty, so we paid just over $3.00 for the warranty.

The system keeps the latest tracks for 30 days.

Our kids will be able to track our progress, may even get them more interested in coming with us sometime

Paul
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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts
Response Posted - 05/12/2008 :  14:56:43  Show Profile  Visit piseas's Homepage
Paul, Ya I have been looking at the Std Horz. model HX850s. It is a floating handheld with built in GPS. My thought is that if I either had to abandon ship or fell overboard, I would have a way to contact help plus have a VHF radio. The 20 minute lag the Spot bothered me plus I could communicate with someone with the VHF in an emergency. If no one was home or not checking email, The Spot may not save your life. Those were my concerns. It is a neat gadget, however.
Steve A
Edited by - piseas on 05/12/2008 14:58:06
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 05/12/2008 :  15:38:57  Show Profile
Sounds like there are good reasons for both.
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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 05/12/2008 :  20:01:24  Show Profile
Is there supposed to be some kind of marker on the map?
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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts
Response Posted - 05/12/2008 :  21:10:37  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
It seems the "I'm ok" message and flag only stays online for 24hours.
The tracking points (position every 10 minutes when tracking is turned on) are supposed to stay for 30 days.

The unit will maintain Tracking Mode for 24 hours then you have to turn tracking back on. Don't know yet if the system will show the track for just the past 24 hours or for all tracks during the past 30 days.

Paul.
Edited by - britinusa on 05/12/2008 21:11:10
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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts
Response Posted - 05/13/2008 :  08:22:09  Show Profile  Visit DaveR's Homepage
Steve A,
I also loved the Std Horz. model HX850 and ordered it from Defender ........... a month ago. Seems they're on back order, so I'm waiting ........
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.