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spot messenger +1

Riding in groups depends on the riders and it is by no means any safer IMHO. Some mobile phones don't work in remote areas though. Not sure about the spot messenger?
Stef.

Stef. wrote:Some mobile phones don't work in remote areas though. Not sure about the spot messenger?

The SPOT Messenger uses a GPS to fix location and a satellite uplink (different satellite than the GPS system) to get a few predetermined messages sent, along with your location. Back home, the recipient(s) get an SMS text message and/or an email with your location and the predetermined message. You can also put it into a continuous-tracking mode where your location is uplinked to the satellite every 10 minutes for display on a map to those back home, but I rarely use it that way.

Typical messages are "I'm okay", "I need help", and the SPOT equivalent of 911 (i.e. "dispatch emergency services to my location, please"). In the case of 911, the SPOT service will actually take over and relay your position to the closest emergency responders.

So it's very good for remote locations where cell phones don't work.

Riding alone..hmm. I'm about to embark across the Nullarbor Adelaide to Perth. 2700 km or the scenic route, 3200km.
The big question is not why do I do it? The fact that it is tough is the answer to that..it is whether I invite others to come with me.
Oh yes the other question is how do I get back if the trip is that awful. No rail carriage. BTW it has longest straight road (146km) . Sadly there are enough Police with radar guns to quell any sense of adventure. They get sent there to dampen their enthusiasm it is said.
The good thing is there are roadhouses(cafes to those in US) every 200km or so.

Michael,Go for it...it is an adventure, to go to out of the way places without being fully prepared. It is the stuff of life. An achievement that you will cherish for the rest of your life. The alternative is to stay home nice and warm and safe...and slowly perish inside.

Re. spot messenger: thanks Jess for the explanation. My understanding is that you need to have a contract to use the satellite system and this contract is about $300 a year? So it is probably only worth going for it when you go regularly off road? Somehow I was naive thinking that it was done with just buying the spot messenger for about $150 but than there are the yearly costs on top of it...
I know it is worth it but I guess as said only if you are in very remote areas? How much do you guys pay for the annual contract?
Stef.

Stef. wrote:Re. spot messenger: thanks Jess for the explanation. My understanding is that you need to have a contract to use the satellite system and this contract is about $300 a year? So it is probably only worth going for it when you go regularly off road? Somehow I was naive thinking that it was done with just buying the spot messenger for about $150 but than there are the yearly costs on top of it...
I know it is worth it but I guess as said only if you are in very remote areas? How much do you guys pay for the annual contract?
Stef.

Stef - the cost of the contract varies depending on what's included. The top of the line contract includes insurance to pay for emergency services such as a MediVac helicopter (which can cost $30k..) My current contract (which includes that) ran me about $150/year. The basic contract is $99.99/year. With "tracking" - $150/year. Adding the emergency services insurance adds $12.95/year.

For the peace of mind - not a bad price at all.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=103
http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=110

Also - the actual hardware is frequently found on sale - on the web and at large sporting-good/outdoor stores.. plus there is nothing wrong with a used one from Ebay - they have exactly the same functionality (just the new one the buttons are a bit better thought out..)

It's not just limited to off-road, either. I regularly ride on-road where there is no cell coverage, and very little auto traffic. Having a SPOT is definitely a big chunk of peace-of-mind in a small package.

Thanks Jess and Deilenberger for the explanations. Very useful.
Stef.

Yes, thank you as well! Looks like something you can put "under the seat" and forget. Once my trips begin, this looks like what I will be using.