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Author Topic: Steel is SPOT  (Read 531 times)  Share 

Offline steelfrog

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Steel is SPOT
« on: November 07, 2011, 11:18:59 AM »
After seeing the 2 reports about emergencies in BB, and because my son and I are doing the GC R3 this weekend, I decided to go witht eh tracking SPOT service.

I'll let you know how it works this weekend!
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Offline kewlaidjams

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Re: Steel is SPOT
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2011, 11:55:26 AM »
Good luck with the hike.
I did an unplanned dayhike to river and back a few years ago and that wasn't fun in July heat. 
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Offline jeffblaylock

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Steel is SPOT
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2011, 04:08:53 PM »
SPOT got us out of a jam this week. While it is no substitute for preparation and good judgment, it does help to take chance out of the equation. The new model works with iPhone to permit real time short text messages. I will be upgrading to that one shortly. Good luck on your hike.
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Jeff Blaylock
www.jeffblaylock.com

"We'll be back, someday soon. We will return, someday, and when we do the gritty
splendor and the complicated grandeur of Big Bend will still be here. Waiting for us."--Ed Abbey

Offline steelfrog

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Re: Steel is SPOT
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2011, 02:23:28 PM »
Do tell about your jam!
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Offline ambersdad

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Re: Steel is SPOT
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2012, 08:50:41 AM »
I use a Spot quite a bit.  I do a lot of hiking in very rugged terrain and travel solo about 95% of the time.  It's more for my wife's peace of mind, so I don't mind carrying it.  Told here if I've not moved in about 8 hours during the day, she knows where to send SAR to get the carcass. I plan on upgrading to the new one soon too.

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Offline steelfrog

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Re: Steel is SPOT
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2012, 09:06:24 AM »
Amberdad--so, can you give me a tutorial?

I created a list on the site of e-mail people (including myself).  I went on a trip and hit "I'm OK" at intervals.  Now, this was in the Grand Canyon so sometimes, like in the Slot, we didn't have satellites; but anyway, I could not for the life of me, figure out when I got back how to look at my track; Lance Snead could, but he's Lance Snead and I am not a computer genius geek.

How is the best/easiest way to use this thing?
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Offline sleepy

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Re: Steel is SPOT
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2012, 09:19:34 AM »
Quote from: steelfrog on February 28, 2012, 09:06:24 AM
How is the best/easiest way to use this thing?

During initial setup you are directed to a shared page for your tracks. The owners' manual is also quite helpful. 
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It's never too late to be what you might have been-Geroge Elliot

Offline ambersdad

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Re: Steel is SPOT
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2012, 09:29:27 AM »
Quote from: steelfrog on February 28, 2012, 09:06:24 AM
Amberdad--so, can you give me a tutorial?

I created a list on the site of e-mail people (including myself).  I went on a trip and hit "I'm OK" at intervals.  Now, this was in the Grand Canyon so sometimes, like in the Slot, we didn't have satellites; but anyway, I could not for the life of me, figure out when I got back how to look at my track; Lance Snead could, but he's Lance Snead and I am not a computer genius geek.

How is the best/easiest way to use this thing?

I'm not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I can draw blood on occasion.  ;)

I tend to turn it on in the morning before starting my hike and pushing the OK button and quickly releasing it.  After about 10-15 minutes I know the I'm OK message has been transmitted so I then hold down the OK button until both lights blink in unison.  This sends out a location beacon every few minutes so my wife can follow my progress throughout the day. If I find something of interest that I want to document, I right down the time or turn it off and then do the 1st of the morning I'm OK message again.  Then after a few minutes I reengage the tracking beacon. At the end of the day when I've made camp I send the last I'm OK message of the day and turn it off for the night.

I'm sure there is a smarter / better way to use it, but I know this works and it gets me by. Hope this helps.

When I get home, I access my account, highlight the way-points on the main page that I want to see, and then click on "Show On Map" on the actions listed towards the top of the page.   
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Offline steelfrog

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Re: Steel is SPOT
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2012, 09:37:17 AM »
Thanks.  I will follow this practice.
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