Being prepared for out there

[Richard]

Jan 17, 2012 14:25:43 GMT -5 duallie said:

and the last two years i've carried a SPOT as well.
the technology is there, use it.
is your life not worth it?

I too have a SPOT (1st GEN).

I use it everywhere from when I travel on foot, on my ATV or even while I am going on the road itself to the camp spot ... a cheap $150 piece of mind for loved ones.

Richard

[billr]

I never have tried a spot

[Richard]

Billr - If you never have tried one here is the $0.02 tour.

They are about the size of a radar detector. You keep it on your person like you would a pager.

It has 3 options:

1. OK - Sends a OK message to a pre-selected group of emails and SMS numbers
2. HELP - Sends a Help message to a pre-selected group of emails and SMS numbers
3. Track - Sends a signal ever 10 min to a website that you login to (or open to the public) that shows your location in "real-time" +- 10 min intervals.

The last, is 911 - basically it alerts authorities to send help.

The unit is both a GPS and a Satellite messenger. It uses GPS to get the unit's locaiton and then beams this wth whatever message is selected up to satellites and down to the company's servers.

I have used it here in North America and overseas ... works fantastic.

Cost is $100 for the unit (on sale) and $150 a year for the service. Considering it will save your life if you get injured and need to call for help, well worth it.

I'll demo it for you if/when the group has a get together.

Richard

[billr]

thanks but I knew how they worked, just never tried one.

[Richard]

Bill - If we ever manage to make it out on a trip together I'll show you. As with most outdoor tools - useless until you need them ;-)
Richard

[duallie]

if anyone finds one on shuswap or kinbasket lake, let me know.
i lost mine while boating. ;D
when i'm just putting around the shorelines exploring, i usually have it on and sitting on the side of the zodiac.
but sometimes i'll decide to move on and forget to put things away before zooming away.
the nice thing is that they float.
but that only helps if you realize you lost it.
no matter now, i bought the newest version to replace it.
after having one, i'll never be without it.

[jlseagull2004]

Great topic. Along with many of the things mentioned above, I make sure to have a package of steel wool. It's light and fits in the pack niceley. What for you ask? A small amount of steel wool and a spark Burns hot and fast. It will burn wet or dry, makes a great fire starter. No more rubbing two wet sticks together for me......

[billr]

Add a 9 volt battery and you don't need a lighter to ignite your steel wool