Adventure in Ohio?

[jimjim]

Originally Posted by Solace

Nice. Here's my new one a few hours after taking it out of the showroom. Bonus points if you can tell me where the pic was taken.



Later,
M

Damn fine looking machine, let the farkling begin.

[blackdiamondmike]

I remember a year or two ago someone here went around buying up all the Spot devices at Best Buy and then resold them here so I guess this is as good a place as any to get some view points without pouring through endlessly boring technobabble elsewhere. So here goes - What's the service cost? Didn't some come with one year included in purchase price? Does it work under heavy tree canopy ? Do you mount it on bars or tuck it into a pocket? Does it have a mounting bracket? How long do regular alkaline batteries last? Is the computer interface (for those at home) easy to use? Any thing I missed that important? I'm not planning any grand adventure, just looking to give some peace of mind to those at home during solo rides. Thanks. -Mike

[Dagny_Taggart]

Disclaimer... I have the 1st gen device.

I What's the service cost? Here $100 to $150/year

Didn't some come with one year included in purchase price? Mine did... look around.

Does it work under heavy tree canopy ? Works under a tree... needs a clear view of the Southern sky. If you GPS or XM radio doesn't work, neither will the SPOT.

Do you mount it on bars or tuck it into a pocket? Your choice. Some people say keep it on the bike so it stays with the bike but since you have to press the button to get help, most people think it should be accessible to you (after a wreck).

Does it have a mounting bracket? Mine has a clip... RAM Mounts sell a device to mount it.

How long do regular alkaline batteries last? Negative... use Lithium.

Is the computer interface (for those at home) easy to use? First Gen sucks. Being able to customize messages should help. My mailing list just gets my coordinates and the message that I need help.

Any thing I missed that important? It does take some time to start up... if you think you might need it, turn it on and keep it on you. I paid my bill and it has sat in my saddle bag all year.

I'm not planning any grand adventure, just looking to give some peace of mind to those at home during solo rides. Thanks. -Mike[/QUOTE]

[Moparmanpete]

Right now it is looking like 45 miles of some paved and some gravel backroads south of Lancaster.

THE CATCH!

It will be on scooters or the equivelent.
I will be on my Chinese 150 daily rider
The reason for this is I really would like to meet many of you but due to my Xl600 being down and slowly rebuilt this is the best I can do for now.

So anyone want to me a local rider?
The date is to be decided, looking a sunday rain or shine.

Pete
Whats an Adventure without a challenge?

[bikeridermark]

Got scooter, close by, don't know how much gravel I want to do with mine. Be happy to meet up and introduce you to some fellow riders.

[Mikef5000]

I'll include my answers that are different from above, but I also have a 1st gen.


Didn't some come with one year included in purchase price?
Bought mine used for half price, they're all over Ebay/Amazon for cheap now (1st gen.)


Does it work under heavy tree canopy?
Nope. I rode all around East of Tar Hallow last week, and you can see how few points it hit: Mikef5000.whereamIriding.com. Roughly 2 hits in about 2 hours of riding in heavy trees east of 327. They say that the Emergency signal is very different from the regular tracking signal, and it's more efficient in these conditions. No personal experience though.

Do you mount it on bars or tuck it into a pocket?
Most of the time I use a ram mount on my Bars, but I'm starting to just shove it in the top pocket of my Camel back now. There have been discussion related to this very question, and the answer is always simply personal preference.

How long do regular alkaline batteries last?
Not long at all, and they're not recommended. i use the uber expensive Energizer Ultimate Lithium (lasts 9x longer they say) and I'm extremely pleased with their life. 1 set easily lasted longer than my month long ride to AK, and that was using tracking 8-12 hours a day, and sending at least 1 OK message every day. Spread that out over a couple rides a week, and you're looking at just 2-3 pairs of batteries a year.

Is the computer interface (for those at home) easy to use?
I didn't have any issue setting it up on my end, but I didn't like the interface for others to watch me (didn't work on smartphones) so I spent a couple minutes setting up the free 'whereamIriding' page I linked to above. It works just fine on any computer or phone.

Any thing I missed that important?
Eh, not really. It's a simple device. I set it up in the computer once, and haven't looked at that part again. If I'm heading out on a solo ride, I turn mine on and shoot my girlfriend a text saying I'm riding with SPOT, and I know that someone is watching my back.

[indypup]

I'd probably buy a Spot Connect if I were making a purchase today...

You have no Smartphone – buy Spot2
You don’t intend to purchase a Smartphone – buy Spot-2
You have a Smartphone but don’t want use a second device to make Spot work
You want the features offered by Spot2 and simplest operation – buy Spot2

You have a Smartphone and want to use it in conjunction with Spot Connect – Buy Connect
You have a need for more than the 10 contacts offered with Spot-2 since you can now get 10 groups with up to 50 contacts per group – Buy Connect
You want more 120 character fixed messages than offered by Spot2 – Buy Connect
You want the ability to send up to 41 character text messages on the fly anyplace in the world even when you have no cell service – Buy Connect
You are willing and able to deal with (2) separate devices – Buy Connect
One last thought, if you should decide to purchase Spot Connect, while it needs a Smartphone to function completely, the Spot Connect device will still provide you with SOS/911 function even if you have no Smartphone or your Smartphone is out of power.

[Moparmanpete]

Originally Posted by bikeridermark

Got scooter, close by, don't know how much gravel I want to do with mine. Be happy to meet up and introduce you to some fellow riders.

Sounds great, Im open for route changes or even just a get together.
I work at Mr Tire on the drive

[mgorman]

Originally Posted by rxcrider

blatant advertising for a friend:

js?

[mgorman]

Originally Posted by blackdiamondmike

How long do regular alkaline batteries last?

Not long, just ask my family and friends when mine stopped working on my trip, the phone lines were burning trying to find out why mine quit sending a signal in the middle of BFE. It wasn't bad enough I put the wrong batteries in, when I did put new ones in, I forgot to turn on the tracking function compounding the frenzy at home.

BTW, I hang mine from the strap on my camel back of the hoop First Gear conveniently attached to my jacket. Riding on the road I usually just snap it on the bike figuring more than likely a car is going to kill me and it wouldn't help me anyhow. I have the one button set to tell my family to get my last coordinate and bring my truck and tie downs :(

[GregsBro]

Originally Posted by blackdiamondmike

I remember a year or two ago someone here went around buying up all the Spot devices at Best Buy and then resold them here so I guess this is as good a place as any to get some view points without pouring through endlessly boring technobabble elsewhere. So here goes - What's the service cost? Didn't some come with one year included in purchase price? Does it work under heavy tree canopy ? Do you mount it on bars or tuck it into a pocket? Does it have a mounting bracket? How long do regular alkaline batteries last? Is the computer interface (for those at home) easy to use? Any thing I missed that important? I'm not planning any grand adventure, just looking to give some peace of mind to those at home during solo rides. Thanks. -Mike

You may want to check out this one also http://www.delorme.com/
The nice thing about the delorme is two way communication.
We came upon a pretty bad crash on the Top of the world highway on our trip this summer and the guy's friend had the Delorme and had already activated it. While we were trying to figure out how to help the guy a text came in saying help was on the way. That was a relief.

[Mikef5000]

Originally Posted by indypup

I'd probably buy a Spot Connect if I were making a purchase today...

Not me. All I use it for is tracking, with the occasional need to send out an ok/help/SOS message to a few select people. I'll take the simplicity and much better battery life (and lower initial cost) of the spot 1.

Now the 2 way communication of the delorme is a feature I could see being useful.

[indypup]

Originally Posted by Mikef5000

NNow the 2 way communication of the delorme is a feature I could see being useful.

I agree, maybe when connect2 comes out it will have 2-way. lol now a 3-way would be even better.

[ohioroadrat]

Thought I would offer it here first. 1978 Honda CX500 ready to make into cafe racer. $650.
Turns out my knees won`t let me ride in that position.
Will need...
fork seals
seat pan finished
I think new coil on left.(left side not firing all the time)
and of course...paint job.
I just totally rebuilt both carbs

Call me and come see it...will wait a few days before listing it elsewhere.

Larry W.Menefee
614-436-9944

[SmartBomb]

Originally Posted by blackdiamondmike

I remember a year or two ago someone here went around buying up all the Spot devices at Best Buy and then resold them here so I guess this is as good a place as any to get some view points without pouring through endlessly boring technobabble elsewhere.

I bought a Spot2 when they were on sale at Best Buy to replace my Spot1. I did this primarily for the reduced size and nicer button layout. Anyhow, my original Spot is unused and collecting dust. If you want it, it's yours for the cost of shipping (or free if you will be in Akron anytime soon). You will just need to purchase the service and reactivate the device. If Mike passes on the offer, it is available to other ADV in OH members as well.