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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | I know most of the LD riders use Spot tracking devices, but I am very interested in the Delorme inReach. Unlike Spot, it has 2 way communication via satellite. This allows family to get ahold of you in an emergency as well, or confirm that they got your message.
Most all of the other features are the same, however the web based tracking map would be different then those on the Spot system. Only of importance if you are being tracked during a rally or something.
Price is more expensive. Basic plans: Spot-$99/yr, inReach-$9.99/mo. Plans that include tracking: Spot-$148/yr, inReach-$24.95/mo.
Anyone using Spot that wishes they could get messages back? or is tracking the main feature and one way texting is plenty.
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Cruiser
Posts: 233
flagstaff, AZ | I have the Satellite GPS messenger, the wife and friends enjoy just being able to track along with me and any that may ride along. We all carry phones and I will do check call every couple hours, if I remember to. The other system looks good as well,
Edited by roundtwig 2013-01-26 7:16 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | For those with iPhones you can turn on "find my iPhone" and anyone you give access can login and it will locate you and track your whereabouts. Just a thought for those that have them... I turn mine on when I'm on the road so the misses can find me and know that I'm ok. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | Google Latitude and many other free Android apps allow others to track you while you ride. |
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Tourer
Posts: 430
| I have an Android phone and have the 'Truck Smart' app. Its an app put out by TA and Petro truck stops. Not only is it handing for finding truck stop gas stations there is a 'option' under the 'services' tab where you can 'share location' When I stop for a break or reach my destination I tap on the 'share location' and it sends to my 'wife unit' a Google map link where I am located. She clicks on the link and it shows here where I am. The app is free as I recall. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 255
New Brunswick , Canada | Tracking the main feature and one way texting is plenty. Completed a 12,000 miles trip last June (4 Coners USA Tour, first Victory bike to do it) and had a Spot tracker. It never mist a beat. Track me every 20 minutes via Satelite. Family followed Mom & Dad all the way. They google map our position every night and even had pictures of the hotels we stay at , they loved it.
The Iphones and Androids apps...do they use satellite for gps or cell towers trianglelation . If they use cell towers there are alot of dead zones.
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Most all new smartphones have a built in GPS receiver, but will not track as many satellites as a dedicated unit does. Spot can track 40 & Delorme says 66. The smartphone still needs cell sights to send updates to any family or friends that are tracking you.
The point of the S.E.N.D. (Satellite Emergency Notification Device) units are to provide coverage in those areas NOT covered by cell sights. It seems those are also the areas where hitting a deer or something would be more likely to occur.
I am somewhat giving up on the Spot Connect as I would want a unit that could operate by itself. The connect loses most all features other than SOS if your phone dies. So, now it's between the inReach and Spot2. What the Spot has going for it is a lower price, both initially and annually, and for an $30/yr it has roadside assistance integrated into the HELP button. I could drop my $70 AAA membership. Not that I'm sure how to get them to respond off a satellite text message like the Spot2 does.
The inReach has the advantage of on unit buttons for SOS, tracking and 3 pre-canned text messages + custom txts from a smartphone, It can also be hardwired, has 2 way texting (w/smartphone) and global coverage, pole to pole. Not that I plan on going sailing out in the middle of the Pacific or penguin feeding at the south pole. It may be useful in a disaster since I work at a Fire Department. It may even be a tax deduction.
Is it worth the extra bucks? Closest comparison would be the $24.95/mo plan to the Spot +tracking +'text and send', which adds up to $14.75/mo although the Spot2 can't do 'text and send' but for a dollar to service comp. I added it.
So $10/mo. more.
Still need to figure out how to integrate roadside assistance into it. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 134
, MO | There's a free app for iPhones called find friends, works great, I use it all the time. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | I am considering a trip to Alaska and would need something like this. From what I have read, cell phones are useless on a good portion of a trip like that. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | jimtom - 2013-01-29 8:28 AM I am considering a trip to Alaska and would need something like this. From what I have read, cell phones are useless on a good portion of a trip like that. Yes. The cell phone will be useless in a lot of Canada and Alaska. The Spot Tracker will also makes a map of your ride. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | Rollin' - 2013-01-29 8:24 AM
jimtom - 2013-01-29 8:28 AM I am considering a trip to Alaska and would need something like this. From what I have read, cell phones are useless on a good portion of a trip like that. ?Yes. The cell phone?will be?useless in a lot of Canada and Alaska. The Spot Tracker will also makes a map of your ride.
which is very helpful when doing an Ironbutt certified ride.  |
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