Gentlemen-
Thanks all for the comments. Responding to several simultaneously below.
In summary, my main point is that my proposal / request is that the rules be amended to add InReach as an additional rules compliant tracking method, not to remove SPOT. None of the comments so far seem to object to InReach in principal, just that we shouldn't disrupt things by taking away SPOT, and I agree.
Additionally, I think it bears mention that SPOT is a relatively small technology company, red in tooth and claw. Like any tech company, but espeically a small one that is not the leader in its market segment, they are vulnerable to simply going out of business.
If there will be some work / learning / rules changes / technology adjustments / to make, there is no time like the present to get started on it. This way, if SPOT does go belly up, another option will already be in place and there won't need to be a scramble (or cancellations?) to replace everyone's trackers AND in-house technology all at the same time.
@Scareman - Thanks for your report on SPOT work-arounds &c. I agree with your main point, obviously SPOT can be made to work and it is possible work around its limitations (strategic button pressing &c). And, if you're comfortable and familiar with SPOT and don't mind those limitations, then no reason to switch. Nevertheless, if InReach has better performance (and it is my understanding that it does) then, all things being equal, I think all would agree it would be good to have that option too.
And, you're right that it is possible in some circumstances to know that your SPOT message has gone through, for example if you're in cell-phone range. However, part of the selling point of SPOT is that it works when you're out of cellphone range or you don't have your phone (e.g. its on the bottom of the sea.) And, when you're not in cellphone range, you can't confirm message transmission.
@DancesWithMullet - Cool! I agree - lets not mess with SPOT. But, we can separately try and get another system working. If nothing else, it could serve as a backup or alternate.
@Coastie - I think that's a fair point, but again, I'm not proposing that SPOT be replaced, just to add an additional option.
@MisterMoon - Thanks for the pointers with SPOT and the sky view. You're right that some additional software would have to be written (whether by RaceOwl or Chief or someone else. . . ). And, you're right that if there isn't a satellite signal, then none of the devices could communicate. However, as discussed above, a big advantage of InReach is that it has two way communication, so you can know whether your signal has gotten out or not.
As mentioned above, I'm just propoing another option, not a replacement, so anyone that doesn't want to switch or learn the new thing, they wouldn't have to. But I would suggest that, if SPOT goes out of business, its too late to start switching - it could cause the cancellation or inability to track/verify scheduled races.
I question how big of a job it would be to add another option of a tracker to the existing system. I have some professional experience in this field and, while its not trivial, its not rocket science either. Both systems have APIs, both support shared map tracking, both support the same sorts of communications, &c.
