Monday, March 03, 2008

The SPOT satellite messenger goes where cell phones can't

The SPOT satellite messenger is a simple looking and bright orange device that could save your life in a boating emergency.

With a slogan like “Live to tell about it”, you might expect to find the SPOT device in the hands of daredevils with washboard abs and world travelers who rock climb in places you would have trouble finding on a map. But the SPOT can be used by anyone who seeks peace of mind while boating, camping, or going anyplace where you can’t get a cell phone signal.

According to SPOT…

The SPOT is the world’s first satellite messenger. SPOT sends your exact GPS coordinates and selected messages over commercial satellites to tell others of your location and status, working around the world, independently of cellular networks.

SPOT features four key functions that enable users to send messages to friends, family or emergency responders, based upon varying levels of need.
  • Alert 9-1-1 – Dispatch emergency responders to your exact location

  • Ask for Help – Request help from friends and family in your exact location

  • Check In – Let contacts know where you are and that you’re OK

  • Track Progress – Send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress using Google Maps™
SPOT uses the GPS satellite system to determine a user’s location and the SPOT satellite network to transmit that location and the user’s status.

The SPOT satellite network is a commercial satellite network with a proven 99.4% reliability rate while processing over 6 million messages a month – the equivalent of 2.3 messages per second.

With the SPOT Satellite Messenger, you and your loved ones have peace of mind knowing help is always within reach. SPOT is the only device of its kind, using the GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, and then sending its location – with a link to Google Maps™ – and a pre-programmed message via a commercial satellite network. And unlike Personal Locator Beacons, SPOT does more than just call for help. Tracking your progress, checking in with loved ones, and non-emergency assistance are also available, all at the push of a button. And because it uses 100% satellite technology, SPOT works around the world – even where cell phones don't.

Source: SPOT Satellite Messenger

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

The advertising for this device is somewhat misleading. There is not around the world coverage as advertised. There is a finite coverage area map, which can me found on SPOT's website. Also, they claim a 99.6% success rate in SPOT's transmissions. What if one of us falls in to the .4% margin of error category when we really need emergency assistance? All I'm saying is that SPOT has pumped everyone up to thinking that this is should be our first choice to make sure that we "Live to tell about it" (as quoted from SPOT). I think that we should stick to the proven reliability and performance of EPIRB's and Personal Locator Beacons...