So I have been having an internal debate over getting a spot tracker for a while now. I'm increasingly doing more trips in "remote enough" areas that having an SOS would be a useful thing. These trips are often on my own and I think I'm reaching the point of doing them frequently enough that it would be a sensible insurance policy to have. On top of this, peace of mind for my girlfriend would be an added bonus as she is always telling me to txt her to say I'm OK etc but inevitably there is never any phone signal when you think to do it. I know that she worries and I guess to certain degree there would be peace of mind for me that she isn't worried. Having said all that though I have never let it really bother me as I think if you are going to worry about "what if" then you'd never get out there in the first place.
I have never been in the siltation personally where I would have used the SOS but I have twice been in situations on day rides out in the wilds where mates have had falls that were very close to being life changing. Helicopter type rescue would have been the only options and it's thinking back to these occasions that is prompting me to think about getting one.
The device cost it's self is not too bad and the service cost at less than a tenner a month is not too bad either. The problem I have is that it's a fair wack of initial outlay and that is a hump for me to get over.
For those of you that have one what was it that gave you that push to get one? For those of you that have thought about it and not got one what was it that stopped you?
1, It makes my good lady wife feel a whole lot better. She's never once questioned me doing anything but she said she feels a lot less worried. Her peace of mind is important to me and worth the cash alone.
2, On the HT400 last year, Steve H had a very nasty accident. Fortunately he extracted himself as he had lent his tracker out. I rode the same trail later that day (though at the time I didnt know of the accident) and in a tired state it could have happened to me. If I recall, I think he said had he had his tracker. He would have pressed SOS.
3, I would be renting one for the HT so thats a 30 odd quid discount off the unit in my eyes.
Mainly reason no.1
I dont take it every ride, but will for silly excursions
kbrembo off here supplies them into some industry I've forgotten and was able to offer a deal when I got mine. Could be worth a PM if you decide to go for one.
Watching Blue dot's on the TD was what brought them to my attention.
I looked into them and it put me off a bit, the initial cost and the subs but the wife said it might be a good investment if I was going to be doing more of this bike packing malarky.
To start with I had a Spot 1 with the basic subs package which wasn't always reliable at getting an "ok" message out if there was tree cover. When I mentioned in passing about the extra tracking subs she told me to pay for that too as there would at least be a breadcrumb trail if the "ok" failed to deliver.
Fast forward a couple of years and I got shiny kit syndrome and sold my Spot 1 and bought a Spot 2.
The tracking subs are still going and the kids enjoy watching Daddy's Blue Dot when I'm out on adventures.
It keeps the wife happy too. Maybe she actually likes me.
I got a SPoT 1 a couple of years ago for a good price second hand but never used. I got the tracking package and use Spotwalla to do the tracking. It is free but they accept donations. Works well enough for occasional excursions.
Which reminds me my tracker sub has recently run out.
If I could get hold of a few SPoT 1's would people be willing to hire them? The cost of postage is £6.95 iirc each way (if required, collection maybe possible) before any hire cost that would be added. And perhaps no lithium batteries included.
There are 5 or 6 lying in a box and not being used. The owner maybe prepared to rent them but they still need to get from/to base. I have thought about it a few times but always decided it would be to expensive for sending out individually.
