Spot

[EDGEFLY]

Just read some material on this Satellite tracking system and it's potential for use in lieu of VFR, Family, Friend and GOKALL. The system has found many fans in high density traffic areas and for flying off to a frozen lake beyond wherever. It is another thing to buy, of course, but the tariff is ~ $100/yr. One hamburger trip might be worth it ? I'm wondering how many EAA pilots are using this and their experience with it.

[Marc_CYBW]

I have used a spot on every flight since oshkosh 2008. Don't leave home without it.

[uavmx]

I was really interested until the $100/yr subscription....just seems expensive per month. It's ANOTHER subscription...another bill...

[Marc_CYBW]

$100 per year
50 flights per year
tracking progress for family and friends, $2.00 per flight
potential to save your life, priceless

[Old Timer]

Conversely, I acquired one at Oshkosh 2008 and used it maybe twice.

If you do sign up for it, beware the automatically renewing subscription. Buried in the smallprint of their contract is a clause that says "if you don't cancel, we will automatically charge you for another year". This cost me $100 for something I never used.

[uavmx]

does anyone know if Garmin or Trimble make a real gps unit that also has these features? I'd feel better about paying $100/year if I had other uses for the thing.....

[Sam Buchanan]

If you are interested in getting the Tech ham radio license (easy multiple choice exam with no morse code required) you can use a tracking system that has far more resolution and features than SPOT and there are no subscription fees. To see a forum with lots of info about the cool APRS tracking system, go to this link:

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/forumdisplay.php?f=104

Here is what an APRS track looks like:

http://home.hiwaay.net/%7Esbuc/journal/aprs-4.jpg

More info about the tracker installation in my RV-6:

http://thervjournal.com/tracker.htm

[EDGEFLY]

Thanks Sam, since I already have my Ham license, I'll be looking into the APRS.

[uavmx]

I'm interesting in finding something that can be carried on person (hiking, skiing, etc) and can also be used in flight for tracking. Like the spot, but maybe with more functionality?

[YBWFLYER]

For relatively low annual cost (in aviation monetary units), SPOT provides a great service to allow family and friends to see where you're at for piece of mind or just for fun ("Where did you fly today?"). Gives FSS an alternative to locate the aircraft if overdue. Allows emergency response with manual activation and allows 'bread-crumb' tracking in the event of a crash ie without time to manually push the '911' button. For more functionality, you can also get the unit which allows satellite text messaging service though it's a bit pricier for my use. The "Check-in" button is handy for letting the wife know when I've arrived at my destination or back at the hangar. Just be careful about placement of the unit on your dash (face up) or otherwise to ensure the built in antenna gets good signal.
Yeah, count me as a big fan of this little unit. It's money well spent.

[danielfindling]

Anyone use the find my iphone app as a GPS tracker or PLB? - I use it to find my wife, kids, etc. (Just remember to turn it off if you don't want to be found). I am uncertain if it will work above 3000 ft. - seems to be the altitude I lose cell coverage in my area.

[Chris In Marshfield]

I'm interesting in finding something that can be carried on person (hiking, skiing, etc) and can also be used in flight for tracking. Like the spot, but maybe with more functionality?

The new Delorme InReach may be of interest:

http://www.inreachdelorme.com/

~Chris

[FlyingRon]

Nice neat holding pattern. What do you call that entry?

[Sam Buchanan]

Nice neat holding pattern. What do you call that entry?

It's called "crossing mid-field for entry into downwind".

If the map was zoomed in you would be able to see this was the pattern at DCU and included a touch-n-go.

[Rick Rademacher]

Joe on the Lost in Oscar Hotel flights http://www.lostinoscarhotel.com/route-2/ used a cell phone(GPS) and instaMapper http://www.instamapper.com/

[FlyingRon]

Ah, the turns looked like real nice holding turns (and nailed them in the same location every time around).

[uavmx]

The new Delorme InReach may be of interest:

http://www.inreachdelorme.com/

~Chris

twice the subscription cost and you have to buy their GPS and then the add on "in reach" module....just can't justify the cost. I'm surprised Garmin hasn't come up with an all in one unit

[WWhunter]

I got one of the SPOT units at Oshkosh a couple of years ago. I signed up for the standard and the $50 extra tracking feature. My unit was very sporadic and I quit using it. Since I had stuck it away and forgot about it I also got billed a year later. Pi$$ed me off but....Guilty as charged...I didn't read the fine print that they would continually charge my account until they have a cancel order from me in writing.
I may take it out this summer and try it again but the $150+ fees a year and the fact that it was sporadic with the tracking seem to be a little on the high side. Granted if I went down and I was saved due to having it...it would be money well spent. In this day in age when everyone is pinching pennies it is an additional expense that is on the very bottom of my list.

[maddogmorgan]

I took my bike for a lap around Australia last year (About a 18000 mile trip and to some of the most remote and sparsely populated areas in Oz) and had a SPOT with me, I didn't spring for the tracking function just the basics. The thing I loved was I had an "All OK" message programmed in and at the end of the day I would just hit the button and it would text that to my emergency contacts. It worked flawlessly and doesn't need phone coverage to work. I also use the 'All OK' function to let people know we have landed safely etc..true it costs a bit each year but I recommend them as an extra piece of safety gear.