HARDCORE OUTDOOR-GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS-GEAR REVIEWS FOR HIKING, SEARCH AND RESCUE, MILITARY, HUNTING: SPOT Pairs With Delorme

HARDCORE OUTDOOR-GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS-GEAR REVIEWS FOR HIKING, SEARCH AND RESCUE, MILITARY, HUNTING: SPOT Pairs With Delorme - Remote Texting

SPOT Pairs With Delorme - Remote Texting

Two separate pieces of equipment. The DeLorme PN-60W GPS receiver connects wirelessly to the new, purpose built SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR unit from SPOT to send position information, preprogrammed messages and user composed free form text messages from anywhere in the SPOT coverage area.

I have not seem them yet and I don't have much more information than what was sent to me in the official press release but here is the PR picture of the DeLorme PN-60W GPS receiver and something brand new from SPOT called the SPOT SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR.

Two primary gripes have come out of the very successful SPOT SATELLITE GPS MESSENGER product line (both SPOT 1 and SPOT 2 units). First, it has a GPS receiver built into it but it is only for determining the units position for messaging purposes. There is no window or screen like on standard GPS units so the user has to carry a separate, dedicated GPS unit for navigation purposes. Personally, when I am in the field, I carry a second generation SPOT or SPOT 2 and a Garmin ForeTrex 401. Second, as far as remote messaging goes, SPOT users are limited to the ones they set up on their account profiles for "Help", "Check In" and "Custom" messages. They cannot be made up and sent out from the user in the field. Same goes for the list of recipient addresses.

Hey, compared to what we used to have in this respect, which was nothing, the current capability of the SPOT 1 and 2 units is pretty damned good and a giant leap forward but many of us are licking our chops at the prospect of real live field composable text messages and can see just how close we are to that reality. Well, we are apparently there with the pairing of these two products. By using the touch screen keyboard on the PN-60W GPS unit you can type in whatever message you want and send it wirelessly to the SPOT SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR unit and it will be transmitted up to the communications satellites along with your location information and then beamed back down to the ground stations and out to individuals or groups.

So, with the DeLorme PN-60W, you have a modern GPS receiver for navigation that also allows you to send text messages via communications satellites by way of the SPOT SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR. Two separate electronic gadgets that work together to provide better backcountry communications capability. Got it?

What's that you say? Is there a word limit on each text message?  Are text addresses predetermined and stored in the on-line account profile or composed in the field?  Can it also receive texts? Can the SPOT SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR be used on its own like the SPOT 1 and 2 units? Can you use any other GPS unit? How much do they cost? Does DeLorme make a good GPS receiver? When will we have an honest to God, all-in-one, combination full featured GPS and satellite communications device?

Those are all good questions that I cannot answer at present because this information is so new.  I have not had a chance to physically look at the units myself and talk to the DeLorme folks but rest assured that I will. I will get with them at the SHOT Show or Winter Outdoor Retailer Show in a week or two and update this post.

Stay tuned.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

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