13 replies to this topic

[Aaron]

I'll be doing the podcast interview with these guys tomorrow. If you have any questions you'd like me to ask, post them here

--Aaron

[Igloo Ed]

I'll be doing the podcast interview with these guys tomorrow. If you have any questions you'd like me to ask, post them here

--Aaron

Does it let you know if the intended recipient received the message?

[Jo]

I LOVE the spot messenger. It's been so great to be able to track Erik when he's out alone in the wilderness. I was wondering though if there was a way to divide up the trips on the map. Right now it doesn't distinguish between trips so it shows all the way points for all the outings in the last weeks and it can get pretty confusing. It would be nice to be able to mark when a new trip starts and to just see the way points for that one on the map.

I'm sure Erik will have some questions as well. He's out today but hopefully will see this thread when he gets back.

(Of course, if they can figure out a way to send messages the other way, such as: "Supper's ready, get your butt home!", that would be an added advantage )

Does it let you know if the intended recipient received the message?

Right now, it doesn't.

Aaron, another thing is that it doesn't yet work well in heavily forested areas. I think they're working on that but it would be nice to know how far along they are with that.

[Aaron]

Great points and question, Jo!! I'll jot these down to ask for the interview. We've had to cancel the interview for today due to a last minute issue that popped up with them. If we can't get it done this week then we'll do it early January.

--Aaron

[misssilly]

I;ve never used one of these. I'm a little lost as to anything to ask about...

[Malok]

Aaarooon, ask them if it works better facing straight up. That is what I've read, but they don't have any way to attach it so that it faces straight up.

Tell them that it looses my signal in the trees quite often and that can be a bit frustrating.

Ask them if they would upgrade it so that we can send very short messages, such as "running late", "car won't start", "be back at 9", etc.

I love mine and think it is a terrific product!

[Aaron]

Yes, it does work best when facing straight up. I heard a trick from the guy I'll be interviewing but I can't remember it. I'll ask him about it when I get to interview him. Does the thick forest issue have anything to do with it not facing straight up?

--Aaron

[Brian]

Aaron - I have no specific questions but would like to propose you interview Erik as part of the podcast to provide some real RMNP experience with the device. I've been reluctant to pick one up do to the heavily forested nature of the park and the devices reception. I'd be curious to hear what ~ percentage of the time Erik can/can't transmit to the satellites...

Erik I've heard that some folks are attaching the device facing up (to improve reception) on top of their should straps of their packs...

[Aaron]

Yes, it is designed to face straight up. I know that for sure. We could at least get Erik to chime in about his reception percentage here. I also wonder if any of it is due to it facing up or not.

--Aaron

[Malok]

Aaron - I have no specific questions but would like to propose you interview Erik as part of the podcast to provide some real RMNP experience with the device. I've been reluctant to pick one up do to the heavily forested nature of the park and the devices reception. I'd be curious to hear what ~ percentage of the time Erik can/can't transmit to the satellites...

Erik I've heard that some folks are attaching the device facing up (to improve reception) on top of their should straps of their packs...

Hey Brian, I too am attaching mine to face straight up and that does seem to help. Unfortunately, the device isn't designed in a way that makes it easy to keep it faced straight up. They need a way for you to hook it from the top and bottom rather than just with the little belt clip which does little when it is straight up. As for forest time, it varies. I've hiked all the way up to Fifth Lake on the East Inlet and had coverage the whole way there and back and yet it can't seem to follow me going up to Lake Bierstadt. I can't quite figure it out. Generally I do get good reception for about 60-70% of my hikes. It is well worth it for that.

[Mark Zemmin]

My wife was interested in this for me as I typically hike alone. I had the same concerns that have been expressed.

- Reception (especially in heavily forested areas). Any tips to improve reception.
- 2 way messaging.
- message confirmation.

Did not know about the issues that Jo specified, but those are interesting as well.

Mark

[Malok]

Let him know that if he needs a backcountry tester who can put new products through the ringer that I'd be ready to help. :-D

[John]

They don't have any way to attach it so that it faces straight up.

Ask them if they would upgrade it so that we can send very short messages, such as "running late", "car won't start", "be back at 9", etc.

Just glue it to the top of your hat.

Also, see if they can add the message, "fallen in river."

[Brian]

Thanks Erik