Page 5 of 5

Re: SPOT Fee Increase - Aarghh!

Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 12:05 pm
by Vaca Russ
rlown wrote: I don't need the map on the device for the late September trip, but I'll pick your brain. How the heck do you get a map on the device? I can see it in earthmate, but it doesn't upload. hmm. I'm not carrying the cell phone.

Had to warn the contacts they might get messages, but If I press the SOS, it might not be for us; Other people on the trail as well.
OH, I didn't know all of your contacts were informed if you push "SOS". I just thought it was sent to the Garmin people. I guess I should warn my contacts (Girlfriend and competent, adult, experienced, backpacking buddy) that I will use the SOS if I run into a person needing help.

I didn't think I would need the map either but it is kinda cool to look back at your trip. I just think the "Waypoint" idea is a waste.

I'm not sure how I got the map on the device. I think I did sinc it with my phone and then my I-phone sent it to the InReach. I'm not sure you need your phone, but I carried it anyway for exercise...I mean, because I bought the cheapo plan and still communicate using my phone. I did use my phone when I camped at the base of Tyndall. I could take a short hike to where I could look down the valley and see Independence and Owens Valley. I got good reception! I even got some business done. (What a loser!) :lol: .

I usually like to take my phone because I often (most) times have reception from the summit of the peaks.

Sorry I couldn't help.

-Russ

Re: SPOT Fee Increase - Aarghh!

Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 5:03 pm
by mrphil
Vaca Russ wrote: I just think the "Waypoint" idea is a waste.
I use the waypoint feature on my old Etrex Vista for marking prime campsites, the occasional water source, and mostly, the best trail departure points for cross country routes. I suppose some would agree that it's a waste, but it's nice to be able to use the coordinates to reference back for notation on the map for future use and occasionally others that I'm advising on where to find things that they might otherwise miss. From those standpoints, a good set of numbers comes in very handy at times: pause for a minute, press the button, have what you need. In fact, since I always carry a separate PLB, and only sometimes my Garmin, it's really the only thing that I use the receiver for other than if I'm not sure exactly where I am and want to get my precise location for wayfinding purposes.

But yeah, when somebody links you to a map of their route and it looks like they marked every other step as a "waypoint", it does tend to get a little ridiculous.

Re: SPOT Fee Increase - Aarghh!

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2017 2:26 pm
by rlown
As I had time on my hands on this late September trip, I decided I'd play with the Delorme. Got the weather for the week at my location near Vogelsang, sent off a couple of texts to my friend in Oregon who was supposed to be on the trip, and my wife. Both actions were quick and a very, very useful device. Saw one other person with a Delorme on his shoulder strap (and I complemented him!)

The rangers carry one as well. I was permit checked at the trail fork up Lyell and Rafferty, so I thought I'd ask her what they carried.

Re: SPOT Fee Increase - Aarghh!

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2017 10:38 am
by Bluewater
FWIW, I just paid my SPOT annual fee and it was the usual $164.98. I still have my SPOT (version 2) from 2011 and although I've considered getting a Delorme I end up just keeping the SPOT each year. I called to insure that I wasn't missing a possible firmware update, but there isn't one available for the older version that I have. The customer service person was helpful and I sent a check-in message while we were on the phone just to make sure it was working (it was working fine).

The texting feature on the Delorme usually doesn't appeal to me because I don't want to communicate with people back home . . although it would be useful to contact other Delorme users who might also be on the way to the meetup etc.

Is it possible to communicate via text with other Delorme users in the backcountry?

Maybe I'm just becoming more resistant to change as I approach full curmudgeon stage in life:)

Re: SPOT Fee Increase - Aarghh!

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2017 10:41 am
by rlown
I kind of shamed a friend into getting a Delorme next season because as we become separated sometimes, it'd be nice to know where your lifeline might be; and yes, you can text other delorme users. we're pretty much self-sufficient (until their 1 stove broke down :) ) You don't have to see it as a cell phone. You use it as desired and only text the wife if you're late. I don't need a SAR initiation because she doesn't know what is going on up there.

Re: SPOT Fee Increase - Aarghh!

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2017 11:36 am
by austex
I just came back from a week in the Sierra. I'm self employed and it's a lifeline I've never had to use in the last 3 yrs to make a decision back home. It's either not go or carry it. Nice to get a weather report this last rip as it was butt cold, snowy and windy. (Made a decision for us not to stay up in Tioga and Leavitt Lake) Yes you can communicate with other DeLorme users. Also text from the air on the way home at 34000' and 540mph. I dunno how it knew I was at 34000' when the cabin is pressurized... The cost for the month was the approx $80. $40 annual and $36 for the 40 msgs which I used only 8 for weather and the txt from the air. 100% satisfied user.

Re: SPOT Fee Increase - Aarghh!

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 1:15 pm
by longri
austex wrote:I dunno how it knew I was at 34000' when the cabin is pressurized...
The InReach contains a GPS as well as a barometric sensor. It uses the GPS to essentially calibrate the barometer, just like any high quality handheld GPS does nowadays.
austex wrote:100% satisfied user.
I presume you haven't had to use it to call for help. There's still the issue of a lower likelihood of success when signaling an actual emergency with a satellite messenger as compared to PLB.

Re: SPOT Fee Increase - Aarghh!

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 1:22 pm
by rlown
The Delorme is a PLB. Two ways to do the SOS. You can unlock the SOS trigger, and follow the instructions on the back of the unit, or just turn it on and press the SOS button. Almost tested that at home because I thought it might just be settings. Luckily, you can cancel.

The only issue is when you press the button. If you do it in a snow storm or after dark, you won't see a rescue until the next day if the skies clear. I understand that and I'm ok with it. I want SAR to be safe as well.

Re: SPOT Fee Increase - Aarghh!

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 3:47 pm
by longri
rlown wrote:The Delorme is a PLB.
Okay. I didn't mean to get into the semantics of the terminology.

What I meant was that some devices (e.g. ACR ResQLink) transmit their emergency signal at a lower frequency and higher power than some other devices (e.g. Delorme). They also are dedicated emergency devices, not subject to the possibility of a battery drained low by use as a messenger. I know it's more complicated, but I think it is likely that the former are more reliable than the latter for signaling an emergency. I haven't seen any statistics however.

Re: SPOT Fee Increase - Aarghh!

Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2017 3:45 am
by rlown
The Delorme is pretty clear on the top bar about your battery usage. I don't use tracking. I did turn it on just to see what it delivered back home on the portal. If I get sick out there, I might turn it on overnight to help if I did press SOS.