SPOT Beacon

A Washington State SAR team member has written an interesting report on SPOT following the rescue of a missing hiker.

Lots of good info here.

I found this in an online and free site called the Backcountry Rescuer. Visit: https://sites.google.com/site/backcountryrescuer/home/issue-4

Blake
www.outdoorquest.blogspot.com
www.outdoorquest.biz

Thanks Blake. Our Scout troop heads out on our 6 day wilderness trek in about a month and a PLB is on my shopping list before we go. (The troop may pick-up the cost.) A SPOT is at the top of the list right now but I'm still researching. This helps - thanks!

I'm a little suspect of this article given an inconsistency in the first paragraph. I've worked with the original SPOT and own a SPOT 2 and the manufacturer recommends using only lithium non-rechargeable batteries and my unit came with Energiser Ultimate Lithiums. That is because they produce longer consistent power and have an extreme shelf life. Rechargeable batteries are not recommended. If the hiker had just purchased the SPOT 2 earlier in the week, then he should have been using the batteries that came with the unit which do not need to be charged nor should you attempt to charge them. So that is likely not why the SPOT 2 stopped sending updates -- which is incidentally something I would like to know.

I like the check in features of the SPOT 2, but given a choice in a life or death situation, I would definitely take my PLB instead. If you are not in the position to afford either, many companies that rent satellite phones also rent PLBs at very reasonable prices.

My feeling on reading the article and looking at the recall history of this device is that it is not quite ready for prime time. It would be useful to have more information on the batteries that were in the unit.

I use a SPOT-2. It comes with Energizer Lithium AAA cells and the instructions say over and over: "only use lithium batteries" and "bring spare batteries".

Assuming the article is correct:

If the hiker in question put in his own rechargeables instead, it's his own darn fault if the unit ran out of power. Even if it did, he should have had some spares on hand. The LEDs on the SPOT-2 quite clearly indicate if the unit is powered and operating.

Of course, I have yet to see a specific statement that he had a SPOT-2 and not the original SPOT. I am not familiar with the original unit's instructions or interface.

I have a SPOT-2 and have not had any trouble with it at all. No problems with reliability whatsoever. If I'm going on a long trip, naturally I replace the batteries. SPOT is very explicit about the kinds of batteries that should go in the unit - so just use what's recommended. I think it's the lithium batteries, but my memory is sketchy on that. The important thing is to carefully read their manual and DO what they say.

cheers,
Pete #2

Lots of great input. Thank you all.

One thing I would add to the discussion is the importance of leaving a trip plan with that "responsible" person.

A sample that I used is here:

www.outdoorquest.biz/TripPlanV2.pdf

Blake
www.outdoorquest.biz

The trouble with SPOT is that it is both a tracking device that is used on a regular basis (= eats batteries each time you go somewhere, and rechargeable makes sense) as well as an emergency device (= lithium primaries makes sense).

It is hard to fullfil both roles at the same time...

Of course, the logical solution is to carry spare lithiums at all times. Ideally, there should be a separate compartment in the SPOT unit for spare batteries. (Come on, it wouldn't be that hard to design that with only a slightly larger unit!). The trouble with keep2go tubes or similar robust containers is that those can be lost or left at home.


Personally, I hate using primaries for anything other than those "ONLY IN EMERGENCY" devices. If I had a spot, I am sure I would use it as a tracking device on some, but not all of my trips. I would bring spare lithium at all times, but would not hesitate to go against the factory instructions and feed it eneloop nimh when used as a tracking device. If I don't want tracking I'd feed it lithium primaries.


Why do I hate to use primaries? Because if you use them "a little" for two or three times in a row you loose track of how much juice there is left. Is it 70%, 50% or 25%? Unless you throw away a lot of half depleted batteries (a waste!) you never know how much time you have left before you have to change batteries.


With rechargeables (low self discharge nimh, in this case) you just recharge them. Always full - always ready, and you have a pretty good feeling of how long it takes before you need to change batteries.

Absolutely totally a MUST DO, Blake. The more specific the better. Include all known and expected details, including maps!

Yes, a fully detailed trip plan is a must regardless if a SPOT or PLB is carried. I use a modified version of this plan/checklist. (PDF) which is printed and emailed to our primary contact person. The email also includes Google Maps / Earth coordinates of the intended route.

The reason for the email is that in the event SAR is required, it is much easier to forward the email to SAR so that the info is much more readily available.

I think in the case of a potentially life saving device, you simply have to ignore some predispositions as to what is the best use for primaries and the best use for rechargables and just bite the bullet and put a couple of extra sets of lithiums in a small Otter Box and keep them with you. With a 10 year shelf life, you are not likely to go wrong.

My point exactly...

Most of us carry multiple knives, fire-making tools, batteries for lights, etc. I don't understand the big deal about carrying extra set of lithiums, especially for a potentially life-saving device. Maybe I'm naive, but wouldn't using it as intended be the best practice?

Just for clarification, SPOT's tracking function is an optional service for which you must pay extra AND you must switch on that function if you choose to use it. Off the shelf and with the baseline service plan, there is no tracking functionality.

I think it may be possible, however, for an uninformed user to not buy the tracking service but try to turn on the tracking function. This may cause the unit to burn battery power transmitting tracking info despite the fact that the system isn't processing that info.

http://www.kirotv.com/video/27941366/index.html

Deciding a solo trip into a snowstorm was a good idea.

Poor navigation. (blaming his map)

Lost his tent inner.

Decided building a fire each evening was to much effort to dry out his insulation gear and provide warmth, comfort and the ability to signal to a airborne FLIR up to 20+ miles away.

No spare emergency fresh Lithium Cells from a sealed packet. (NiMhs etc don't work to well in the cold)

Still alive for the debrief, so SPOT must have been doing something useful.

It makes sense to achieve compatibility among all your battery powered gadgets, which these days would include at least flashlights and probably a GPS. I feed AAAs to my lights and GPS, so a SPOT would fit right in. Lithiums are a no brainer for significant, extended use - they are dependable, lighter, worker better in the cold, and do not leak. With their terrific energy density, they are actually cheaper in use than all but the cheapest alkalines.

Yep, plus their shelf life is excellent. If you keep an eye out there are coupon deals on Energizer lithiums every so often.

I use only lithiums in the field. Sure wish the SPOT-2 used AAs instead of AAAs since my GPS and headlamp use AAs. Oh well, an extra set of lithium AAAs is not a burden.

I always carry spare batteries.

When I'm using primaries in essential gear, I use a pulse-load battery tester (I like this one http://www.batteryjunction.com/zts-mbt.html) before heading out.

For those with experience using the SPOT: I am in the market and would like to hear your reviews of devices. I have little to no experience with them, but I do have a need in the short and long term. I have looked at reviews on line, but I think reviews from people here would be more credible.

I have three different versions of this battery tester. Highly accurate and much recommended.

Thanks for the recommendation. I use a voltmeter (multimeter), which gives a much rougher estimate than this tester. There are circumstances where a voltage reading may seriously mislead you - but it is still good enough for me and my humble needs.

One weakness of this tester (above link): It can't check AA or AAA lithium primaries... so no good for this specific SPOT modell. (AA/AAA lithium are rated 1.5v, not 3v. BTW, fresh AA/AAA lithium should have a closed circuit voltage of 1.6-1.7 volts).


For me, knowing the capacity with higher precision wouldn't solve the hassle of using primaries on a regular basis. I'd just end up with lots of 50% used batteries sitting on a shelf somewhere. Can't waste a battery that has 50% left, but certainly don't feel like sticking anything but fresh batteries into the unit when heading out for a trip...


As stated several times above: For emergency use - Lithium primaries, no doubt about it! And carry spares!

Great TripPlan doc! I hope you don't mind that I grabbed a copy for my personal use.

I respectfully disagree; a voltmeter cannot give an accurate measurement of a battery's remaining capacity unless the battery has already had a significant drop off in voltage.



I have this exact model and it does in fact test AA and AAA lithium primaries accurately.



Makes sense. My usage patterns are apparently different enough that I haven't had a big problem with this.

I believe the model ZTS-MBT-1is designed to test AA and AAA lithium primary batteries and pretty much anything else you want to feed it. I got one because I wanted to make sure not to over-charge or over discharge some rechargeable lithium 18650s which most people understand you need to be careful with.

I carry a PLB. If I need it, I want to have the very highest probability that it will function as exected. I may not be able to change to new batteries or perhaps I have forgotten or lost them. It is a life safety thing for me. Not a tracking tool.

A long time ago, I was sailing my boat up a river on a dark and foggy night, using a computer map with a gps (no display) unit. At a critical point, the computer somehow got into word processing mode and started loading a gigantic file. My navigation tool became useless.

Since then, I make sure that critical items have only the functions needed to do the critical tasks.

I have a dedicated GPS for navigation, no computer assisted software, a radio for the application needed and safety equipment dedicated to safety functions only. It costs a bit more, but the probability that it will function as needed when needed is worth the small additional cost.

The PLB rides on my belt. I use my droid or ham radios for tracking and general messing about.

Think about it........


Nomad

The trip plan is for all to download.

I agree with BackPacJac that attaching the plan to a map is a great idea.

Would appreciate any feedback on the plan. That is how I improve it.


Blake

www.outdoorquest.biz/TripPlanV2.pdf

All this talk about trip plans leads me to believe that SPOT is missing the boat here. Their web interface and updating system is much more sophisticated than the COSPAS-SARSAT system used by PLBs. They should allow you to upload your trip plan to their website which would only be accessed upon emergency activation and given to SAR. In addition, they should establish some type of emergency fail safe that sends out an email to people on your list with your trip plan if you do not disable it by a preset time (a la Patrick Stewart's character, Mace, in the 1998 movie Safe House).

I understand your intent here. But think of the minefields the SPOT company would face: data storage space, backups of that space, the ENORMOUS privacy risk if that personal data got compromised, etc etc. If I were them, I wouldn't want to add those layers to an already risky business model.



Good news: you can implement such a plan yourself. I do it for every trip. My trusted group of contacts (plural!) gets an encrypted PDF file of my personal info, itinerary, and topo map of the area I'll be in. I use Nat Geo Topo for my trips and its easy to paste a JPG of the map into my itinerary document. I use an Excel spreadsheet I made for the itinerary document because it's so easy to tweak to suit, and insert pics. I "print" it to a PDF file for distribution to my contacts.

All SPOT-2 functions aside, my contacts know to call the cavalry if I don't contact them by an agreed upon date/time. So even if my SPOT fails entirely, or for some reason I can't access it, my contacts will provide SAR with a ton of relevant info.

I won't say it's failSAFE, but it's reasonably fail-resistant.

SPOT2 already has a feature with their 'Track' program, additional annual charge, that allows you to establish a shared page online with contacts.

You set the page up based on the dates of your trip, (from 1-30 day duration). Each time you activate the Track program it automatically sends a ping to the online map every ten minutes. It does this until you manually discontinue the Tracking function or turning off the unit.

You can also Name the page with the title of your adventure and add some personal information.

I have done this with hikes and ultra runs so people, especially a nervous DW, can see where I am at on my course. It would certainly establish a a digital trail for SAR, which is why I also have this function.

You can use http://www.followupthen.com/ to send emails at a particular time. When you get back from your trip you can cancel a scheduled email.

I usually leave an itinerary with a trusted individual with a clear understanding of when to call for help if I have not checked in. But I go to the woods to disconnect and for a change of pace from normal existence. If I pack a cell phone, it is turned off. It is nobody's business to track my whereabouts every ten minutes or so. If I were part of a SAR operation, this might be a very useful feature.

Just another guttural growl from the knuckle-dragging Neanderthal hunched at the back of the cave, shielding his eyes from the light of the campfire.

I respect the fact that some people prefer privacy. However, I really like the tracking function of my SPOT 2 and use it often. When my wife travels alone, she likes to let me know of her progress and also mark points of interest for later reference. With the shared website feature, other family members can also follow progress without feeling that they are pestering the traveler.

Saw an add for this in an aviation magazine recently:
http://www.spidertracks.com/

Very similar to SPOT. It transmits the position of your aircraft every two minutes. Designees can view your progress on the web. If you go down, you've left a trail of bread crumbs behind.

It appears to be designed to be installed in your aircraft and not portable. Also several times more expensive.

Very interesting. As you say, it appears to be an aviation-dedicated product. I wonder how well SPOT's tracking system would work in a general aviation setting? I assume given the lack of any canyons or tree canopy, probably pretty darn good.

For those thinking about buying a SPOT, you should know that you can setup multiple "profiles" within SPOT. (FYI - I have no affiliation with SPOT, other than as a user)

Each profile contains info about who to EMAIL or SMS for the Check-In/OK and Help buttons, and what message to send; plus your Primary and Secondary Emergency Contact Info and an Additional Information (free form text field - several hundred characters only I think).

I believe that you can send the Check-In/OK and Help messages to up to 10 contacts (I think).

Only one profile can be active at any one point in time.


So you could setup a separate profile for scout trips, canoe trips, hiking, or 4WDing trips - whatever makes sense. You can edit these online as you wish.

For example you could setup a scout profile to send the OK message to your Regional Leader, partner and several parents but the Help message may only go to the Regional Leader and your partner.

This profile system is useful if you want to loan your unit to other people, you can set up a DougR profile, a Sue profile etc ... (I'm not sure how many profiles you can create). Useful if you want to share the unit.