I have a keen interest in GEO location and one of the goals I had for our trip was for our online contacts to see our GPS location on a map in real time and also see an overall picture of there we have been since leaving Sydney.
Given we had little or no 3G network coverage for much of the trip this was going to prove challenging. After quite a bit of research I selected the Spot Gen 3 which utilises commercial satellite systems to determine GPS coordinates and communicate this to a server where it can be utilised in a range of ways. Unlike a regular GPS navigation unit it can also communicate back to the satellite service it's current location.
The Spot Gen 3 has three main functions activated by 5 separate buttons.
- SOS function operates as a personal locator beacon PLB so that in a life threatening emergency a button can be pressed where the GPS coordinates are send to a GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Centre (IERCC). GEOS notifies the appropriate emergency responders of your S.O.S. based on GPS location and personal information. Depending on your GPS location, responders may include local police, SES, Coast Guard, your country's embassy or consulate, other emergency response centers, or search and rescue teams.
- Help Assist function Send a request for help to a predetermined list of email/SMS contacts in the event of a non life threatening scenario ie broken down or flat true.
- Custom message function sends a pre written short email message and or SMS to a list of friends which has a link to a google map with your current location.
- Checkin function sends a email or SMS to one predetermined contact which confirms your ok with a link to a google map with a current GPS location. This is useful if you want to keep a loved one reassured each day that your ok.
- Tracking function enables continuous GPS tracking where your GPS coordinates are reported at a pre set rate (2 ½, 5, 10, 30 or 60 minutes depending on your plan and preference) this is stored on a server which you can access online via your account. It's simple a log of your GPS coordinates, date and time. These can be viewed online or downloaded in a range of formats, GPX, CSV, KML. The only catch here is that only one month of data is stored so if you want to have a record for longer you will need to download the log periodically.
The service also provides a link which you can publicly share which directed the viewer to a google map with the most recent update. On our blog this is the link to Current location.
Tracking can be turned on and off at any time using the tracking button. The unit has motion detection and goes into a sleep mode if not moving and suspends tracking. We have mounted the unit in the car so we just leave tracking enabled and one we get moving it begins tracking once again. it has worked flawlessly for our entire trip.
As part of the subscription users get access to another online service called SPOT adventures. This allows users to import the GPS data logs and setup an interactive map of the entire journey beyond a month. This is the route link on our blog. once a month I import the data and add another segment to our map. users an also upload photos and videos to waypoints to provide a rich experience for uses. You can see our adventure here
After purchase the unit needs to be activated online, this is where you pay for the subscription and create an account where you can setup the preferences and email contact lists. You ned to do this via a web browser with the unit plugged into the USB port. This is also how firmware updates are performed. You need to do all this before you set out as it can only be done online over the internet.
The unit runs on 4 x AAA batteries, we have been using Energiser Ultimate Lithium and have been getting a little over a month's use with tracking enabled. it can also be powered by a USB port.
We mounted our on the windscreen using a RAM mount purchased on eBay separately. It has worked perfectly and we have only had one brief occasion when there was no GPS signal available, so it does a fine job across a diverse range of conditions.
The unit can be purchased online for around $150 however many camping and outdoor shops sell them for around $199. To the unit you have to purchase a annual subscription which costs around $150-200 depending on what option services you select. if you want to track at 2 min intervals this costs extra.
I had a few issues initially which a firmware update fixed and subsequently has preformed flawlessly. if you are looking for a dependable PLB in an emergency or want to track and share your adventure online or privately with your friends and family I would not hesitate to recommend the SPOT GEN 3.