Ohio Koikeeper
US
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Joined: 09/06/2011
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Have any of you ever used a satellite personal locator. I'm thinking of getting one for when we travel. Not sure of best brands, models, or how to use one. I thought it might be useful if we had a serious problem and no cell service available. What do you think? Are they worth the expense?
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Bounder Lew
fulltimer Melaque Mex , site 33 Oceanside
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Joined: 10/03/2002
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what exactly are you talking about? Satelite TV or cel service or internet service?
I just bought the new TV sat siter sold in last Camping World flyer. Have not tried it yet as I am set up . Will be breaking camp at end of month and will be giving it a whirl.
It was on sale but I had to pay $60 duty when Purolator dropped it off. So much for free trade.
A lot in Melaque Mexico in winter and Victoria BC in summer - 2000 Fleetwood Bounder 31 W
V10
03 Tracker ZR2 Towed
Excalibar Towbar and SMI Stay in Play braking
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Twomed
FL winters and then somewhere cool
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Joined: 06/02/2004
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SPOT
Probably the most popular brand. Very good success with rescues for folks and mesage service seems to work wel for most folks.
Really off the grid it is a cheap alternative to sat phone. It does have to be used in the open obviously. 
Happy Trails
06 Monaco Dynasty
07 Hummer H3
FMCA 279843
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cewillis
Tucson, az, usa
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Joined: 01/24/2005
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Yes, SPOT. Definitely worth while if traveling way off road, and alone (ie, one vehicle).
Cal
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sue.t
Ibex Valley, YUKON
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Joined: 08/05/2004
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We travel with a SPOT. In addition to the SOS button, we like being able to send a custom message to friends/family to let them know we are okay when we're in the bush for a long while.
sue t.
Pictures from our many RV Adventures to Yukon & Alaska
Travelling with either the 25' fifth wheel or the 8' truck camper.
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SkipJ
Michigan
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Joined: 11/01/2005
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Heard mixed reviews on SPOT. Found enough I thought I'de wate on it.
SkipJ
1992 Airstream B-190 van
1989 Airstream 25' Excella Trailer
Outfitter Apex 9.5 Truck Camper Ford F-350 Diesel 4x4
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youngm357
North Idaho
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Joined: 06/25/2008
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I've got a SPOT Messenger. My wife requires that I carry one when I am riding my horse by myself (which is most of the time). Good insurance and I also buy an annual MedStar membership for my region to cover a medical helicopter evacuation. If I'm gonna get saved I would hate to get the bill for it.
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ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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Joined: 06/22/2005
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we have both the spot messanger and spot connect. very handy devices. Won't go out alone without one. the spot connect is more versatile and lets you send text messages from a android or apple phone via bluetooth. (don't need cell service to connect, just the bluetooth). It allows up to 10 prerogrammed messages to 10 group lists as well as a free form text message. Also for an additional fee, you can set it up to track your route and people you allow can see your location on a map on the internet.
spot messanger only has an SOS, help and check in preprogrammed message and sender list, and the track function, but doesn't need a cell phone to send the non SOS/help messages.
Been very handy in letting DW know when I will be home when out of cell service. provides emergency retrevial as well. works worldwide. Kids tracked our route last year in Turkey.
The caviat is while it is IMHO very worthwhile safety/security device it is NOT NOT a true emergency locator. yes, it will send SOS etc. but since it uses only GPS and globestar sat phone, you can be in locations that it will NOT get a message out. examples are deep canyons, very heavy tree cover, heavy rain etc. Rare but possible. If it can't get a GPS fix but can get the sat phone it will send a SOS message but w/o any location. And since it then quites transmitting, rescue teams can't triangulate on your signal. Nor is it triggered by anything other than you pushing the SOS button. if you get in a situation where YOU cannot trigger it, your SOL.
I added DW to the Medstar so it will evacuate both of us in an emergency if needed worldwide since we do travel outside the US.
also, there are two spot messangers. the very first model, sometimes still being sold and the newer model. IMHO stay away from the first model regardless of price. In order to get decent battery life it had a early low power GPS chipset. to get a gps fix, in 90% of the cases had to be stationary for at least 10 minutes with a clear sky view. trees or fast walking and it wouldn't get a reliable fix. I wasn't the only one with this issue. The latest version has a much superior GPS chipset. In the trees racing on my motorcyle it still tracks. When the new version came out I upgraded on a trade in program they had.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
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Cannon George
Ojai, CA
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Joined: 07/28/2004
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I’m pondering the same thing.
Am considering two other options to SPOT; 1) using amateur radio and Auto Packet Reporting System (APRS) or 2) DeLorme “InReach” satellite transceiver (coupled with DeLorme PN-60W GPS) – which offers two-way (send/receive) satellite subscriptions starting under $10/mo.
Using amateur radio is free but dependent on local repeater networks (which by no means offer 100% coverage). DeLorme is a competitor to SPOT and some may prefer their hardware/mapping features over SPOT.
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