We have been using our SPOT tracker on our trips this summer. It is really a neat little gadget, especially for the money. It uses Globalstar's satellite system to relay a GPS position every 10 minutes or so and then sends the location – with a link to Google Maps – It misses a few transmits, but overall it has proven to be a great way to let family and friends know where you are.
We are leaving New York Harbor today and will have our SPOT messenger on. We are heading ultimately for North Carolina, and we may decide to go via Delaware Bay. For Sailnet friends....if you would like to watch our progress and see how the SPOT works, you can go to this site and see where we are:
VIEW OUR PROGRESS ON THE SPOT TRACKER (*note: The SPOT Tracker "share page" only displays the SPOT messages for the prior 24 hours. Since the trip has been completed, the page will show no positions)
I just looked at your progress. Pretty Kewl!!! I have been following your posts and your trip for a while and I envy you. I hope to do a trip like that one day. Thanks for sharing so many nice details. I am originally from the area you are near now--North Jersey. Safe Sailing to ya!!
turf
Thanks for the link Pam! Looks like a little bit of north wind today may help you get south before the southerlies set back in and make it uncomfortable. Seas are down a bit from yesterday's forcast so hopefully the rolling won't be too bad but Bertha is still out there making waves! Safe trip!!
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Thanks for your post and, especially, for sharing your tracking page. I had been considering the SPOT myself, as my old EPIRB has become extinct. I'll be interested in learning more about your experience with it. From what I can see, the unit is very impressive.
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Allan D.
S/V Cat Rageous
Nonsuch 30U
Newport News, VA
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Great track Wish mine worked like that...At 59 North it misses about 80% of the transmits. I subscribed for the full tracking service, won't be doing that again at least while I live here. Last time I used it I got 4 blips for 6 hours of sailing.... Although it does get the message out eventually and therefore the check-in, help and 911 functions will work. One major advantage over an EPIRB besides its small form is its ability to function over extended time periods. Where as an EPIRB is dead in 48-72 hours according to SPOT this thing can send out maydays for almost a year...
I carry it on hikes, hunting and fishing trips. Can't say I would consider hauling my 406 around like that!!!
Guess Pamlico skipped the Delaware Bay I don't blame them. Now the one thing I really don't like about the SPOT is showing - it will only show a maximum number of points as opposed to the entire trip. Pamlico started in New York and on the SPOT page the first entry is just northeast of Atlantic City. Yesterday it showed the true start. It's still cool technology though... and hopefully the interface will mature.
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I'm about to wave to them as they go by...but I don't think they can see me even with good binocs! They are making great progress but now need to start making a move in shore as the Stream is close in on Hatteras right now and they don't want to buck that. Some small but intense squalls are moving up off the coast and a big line of T-storms is moving in from the West....will be an interesting day with 15-20k on the nose from the south, a 6 ft. easterly swell from Bertha and then the squalls.
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I don't blame them. Now the one thing I really don't like about the SPOT is showing - it will only show a maximum number of points as opposed to the entire trip. Pamlico started in New York and on the SPOT page the first entry is just northeast of Atlantic City. Yesterday it showed the true start. It's still cool technology though... and hopefully the interface will mature.
They are making great progress but now need to start making a move in shore as the Stream is close in on Hatteras right now and they don't want to buck that. Some small but intense squalls are moving up off the coast and a big line of T-storms is moving in from the West....will be an interesting day with 15-20k on the nose from the south, a 6 ft. easterly swell from Bertha and then the squalls.
