Conversation with SPOT « WaterTribe Forums

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Conversation with SPOT

(13 posts) (10 voices)

Started 1 year ago by BustedRudder
Latest reply from Santiago

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BustedRudder
Member

I understand why insurance wants PLB in addition to SPOT. If the SPOT fails and there IS an emergency that might be a problem. I know that a big problem for chief and checkpoint people is scrambling to have a spare or activate a replacement SPOT.

The barrier for entry continues to rise every year. A $300 PLB in addition to the SPOT and annual plan, and everything else.

I spoke with SPOT and you can have 1 spot, activate a second SPOT prior to race then refund the plan after the race (2 week window). Clunky.

I suggested that they have a plan whereby a user can have two spots on the same plan provided they are used together or only one in use at any given time. They said well, you could have a second one with you and if the first one fails your race people can call and switch the ESN. I said they are missing the point. If the SPOT fails and there IS an emergency that is what lawyers dont like. They just don't understand true fault tolerance....

They should be receptive to a redundancy contingency for groups like watertribe. They get to sell 2 pieces of hardware and cover up the reliability issue.

A question for chief: If we are required to have a PLB (in the future) and a SPOT, if the spot fails are we out of the race until we get a replacement or does a PLB suffice??

I guess a PLB is inevitable and they are far more reliable than SPOT but if SPOTs are a hard requirement for the tracking aspect I'd rather have 2 of them instead of 3 devices.

Posted 1 year ago #
ThisTripIsNecessary
Member

Why not have Watertribe own say 5 Spots with registered accounts such as "WaterTribe Replacement Spot #1," etc., and when a racer enters a checkpoint with a problem, the racer can fairly quickly get one of these Spots. Then the race manager and WT homepage is alerted that forthwith Jennifer Kayaker or Sam Sailor will be reported as "WaterTribe Replacement Spot #1"?

Yes, the downside is that the personal messages would not be programed (so use the cell phone) and user descriptions would have to go from "Sally Kayaker is aboard a blue 17 foot sea kayak" to "paddling/sailing person in a small craft" but that isn't so bad since we now have to have our personal PLBs anyway. With a PLB the Spot becomes more the official race location device than the primary rescue device.

Extra expense for Watertribe and perhaps higher entrance fee, but cheaper than owning one PLB and two Spots? Maybe Spot could be convinced to make a deal to have these Spot active only during the month of March? -- Wade

Posted 1 year ago #
Scareman
Member

My SPOT2 failed on my drive down to the EC during a test. I am glad I tested it because the SPOT2 had been acting "spotty".

I was able to locate an old SPOT and horsetraded some AAA Lithiums (not needed for SPOT2 anymore) with SOS and SandyBottom for use of the SPOT.

I made a quick phone call to SPOT at 866-651-7768 with the ESN on the "new to me" old SPOT. Within minutes, my SPOT page was updating the new SPOT activation with no impact to messaging. A

Point here is that all messages from My Spot Page were transferred to the new SPOT without issue.

The risk is SPOT or SPOT2 will fail when needed, as many of us have seen. Especially SewSew when he needed the SPOT the most.

Posted 1 year ago #
CrazyRussian
Member

One question bothers me a lot. How do we know that PLB is more reliable? At least in case of SPOT you can see when it died.

Posted 1 year ago #
ThisTripIsNecessary
Member

A good question: I assumed they have a test button and a way to verify that signal went through, but....? --Wade

PS -- FWIW I just went to ResQLink site and they say "

Two built-in tests allow you to routinely verify that the ResQLink™ is functioning and ready for use - with the push of a button, you can easily test internal electronics and GPS functionality."

Posted 1 year ago #
CaptJackOtter
Member

Since we all will have to have a PLB, it seems that if someone went to each company, and said let us test your product. The winner will get a standing order from Watertribe for so many at a decent discount which could be passed on to the competitors. An idea to try to cut our expenses. Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.

I know, I know - he who suggests added complications gets to carry out the suggestion.

CaptJackOtter

Posted 1 year ago #
Scareman
Member

I test my PLB before each outing using the test button and observe the LED confirmation that the battery is functional.

See the self test for the battery and GPS on pages 14-15 of this manual - click on product manual:

http://www.acrelectronics.com/products/catalog/personal-locator-beacons/sarlink-406-gps/#tab-downloads

Posted 1 year ago #
Whirlwind
Member

Everything electronic fails at some point. Keep in mind that devices are tested in fresh, not saltwater. All waterproof is not the same. If you are a diver, you understand the effects of increasing pressure at depth.

Nothing in life is guaranteed!

Water Level Definitions

IPX-0-0 -- No special protection

IPX-1 -- Protected against falling water Equivalent to 3-5mm rainfall per minute for a duration of 10 minutes. Unit is placed in its normal operating position.

IPX-2 -- Protected against falling water when tilted up to 15 degrees - Same as IPX-1 but unit is tested in 4 fixed positions - tilted 15 degrees in each direction from normal operating position.

IPX-3 -- Protected against spraying water - Water spraying up to 60 degrees from vertical at 10 liters/min at a pressure of 80-100kN/m2 for 5 min.

IPX-4 -- Protected against splashing water - Same as IPX-3 but water is sprayed at all angles.

IPX-5 -- Protected against water jets - Water projected at all angles through a 6.3mm nozzle at a flow rate of 12.5 liters/min at a pressure of 30kN/m2 for 3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters.

IPX-6 -- Protected against heavy seas - Water projected at all angles through a 12.5mm nozzle at a flow rate of 100 liters/min at a pressure of 100kN/m2 for 3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters.

IPX-7 -- Protected against water immersion - Immersion for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter.

IPX-8 -- Protected against water submersion - The equipment is suitable for continual submersion in water under conditions which are identified by the manufacturer.

Posted 1 year ago #
DragonSlayer
Member

I thought nothing had been decided on the PLB yet?

Posted 1 year ago #
SailBirdMike
Member

SPOT claims IPX-7 waterproofing, but the failure rate, in my opinion, should immediately de-rate the units to no more than IPX4/5. In other words, not trustworthy enough for our useage.

Posted 1 year ago #
DragonSlayer
Member

Thats why I paid for the protection plan from West Marine.

Posted 1 year ago #
Chekika
Member

I believe Chief said elsewhere that next year, the SPOT device would be required to be in a drybag such as an AquaPac. I think this will solve most, if not all, of the failure problems. Same goes for GPS units in my opinion.

Keith

Posted 1 year ago #
Santiago
Member

I keep my GPS and SPOT in a clear waterproof pouch with a large dessicant pack inside to help with condensation buildup. There were still times when I got a little condensation, but it isn't too bad. I just don't trust anything to be waterproof in salt water.

Posted 1 year ago #

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