ShapeShifter
Buffalo, NY
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GSF wrote:GPS is a receive-only system. The only way you'll get your location transmitted back to a satellite is with a Datastorm unit.
Or with a cellular link to transmit back to the Internet.
rockhillmanor wrote:Some of those clerks at the stores were trying to tell me it would work with the portable units. 
Many will track your location: both of my Gamin units will. The caveat is that you need to manually download the track data from your unit onto a computer, and then you can manually upload it to a server to make the tracks avaialable for others. But to do it automatically? I've not seen a typical consumer grade portable GPS that does that.
There are non-portable systems, however, that can be installed into your vehicle to do what you want. But that will take some digging around to find them, and they may not function as a routing system. They are intended more as a security item.
Another solution may be to connect a simple GPS receiver to a laptop that has a cellular data card. You could run GPS mapping and navigation software on it, as well as an application to keep transmitting location data to a server on the Internet. (Sorry, I don't have examples of such programs, but I'll bet they are out there.)
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aviator
America the Beautiful
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If you are an amateur radio operator, there are a few transceivers that have a tnc installed in them that will allow them to be connected to a computer and a gps which will transmit your location every few minutes to a website which can be viewed by others.
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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cdrcos wrote:rockhillmanor wrote:
I will be traveling solo so I wanted to buy a GPS that I could upload or others would have access to a website for tacking purposes, as I am going to do some serious off road adventures and I'd like them to find me before rigor mortis sets in if something goes wrong. 
Rock
This is the type that will track your movements and send to internet, but I don' think it is very usable as a regular GPS - mainly made for theft prevention.
http://www.rmtracking.com/gpsproducts/smarttrack.html
This device looks like a do-able alternative to Data Storm for letting people know where you are. I read and read the website and I don't find anything odd or hidden costs. VERY interesting device for RV'ers to use. It does say you can request GPS locations when you need to.
I guess it would be like low-jacking your own RV for a good use.
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louwho99
denver co
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Have you checked out SPOT? You can buy it in a variety of places, but here's a link to Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000YTZV74/ref=nosim/coffeeresearch38662-20
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Nascarcruzin
Home is where the RV is parked.
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If you will the traveling, you definitely need a GPS - it makes traveling easy. We have the Street & Trips; it's cheap, nothing fancy but works good.
Good luck on the road.
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Ronnie & Rebecca
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ShapeShifter
Buffalo, NY
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rockhillmanor wrote:This device looks like a do-able alternative to Data Storm for letting people know where you are. I read and read the website and I don't find anything odd or hidden costs. VERY interesting device for RV'ers to use. It does say you can request GPS locations when you need to.
Did you look at the coverage maps? Looks rather spotty to me. Seems like it might be OK if you stick to the Interstate highways, but there look to be some pretty big gaps in many areas if you stray too far from the major roads. Also, the monthly/yearly rates seem like they could add up quickly if you plan on letting friends/family track you regularly.
It looks like an interesting product, but maybe not an inexpensive way to go.
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flhtci-rider
Montreal, Canada
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I use a Garmin 7200 in the RV and a 660 in the car. They both work great
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Well, from all your advice I should at least buy one of the GPS units for the MH. I had one 'many' years ago on my SUV and it was a big ordeal to install it, purchasing numerous updates monthly, and basically she kept running me into places that there were no roads, so I quit using it.
I've gotta guess that with the warp speed of electronics they have greatly improved since then.
And like one forum member stated you can download and then upload to a server with them.....so that's a start.
I know my friends mean well being concerned because I don't have any living family, but maybe after a few months they'll realize I won't spontaneously combust being on the road full time, and they will get tired of watching my little pin on a map move from state to state.
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Lynn Rupper
Full-timing USA 13 Years
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I use a Garmin 2720. Works great and you can get a pretty good deal on it online at WAL-MART.
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Lynn Rupper wrote:I use a Garmin 2720. Works great and you can get a pretty good deal on it online at WAL-MART.
I just looked at Garmin's website and the price for the Garmin StreetPilot 7200 7-Inch Portable GPS Navigator was $1,700.00
Amazon.com pulled up Beach Camera and the price was $514.00.
Are these real prices and is it safe to buy from a third party for these electronics?
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