This looks rather interesting: http://shop.red-spots.com/index.php I'm wondering if the "Vehicle Trackers" they sell are applicable to bikes? Looks like it. Maybe one of our resident GPS-techno-geeks could look through the spec's and determine if these things would be any better than the SPOT trackers. The main issue (IMO) is SPOT's relatively weak satellite receiver which performs very poorly unless you are in wide open areas. Have to wonder if the "Red-SPOT" brand name has to do with them being the (ex) "commie" version of the SPOT tracker... :lol:
Funny you should ask Ron. I just started a small business representing a GPS locating device. I spent several months reviewing what was out there and settled on one. I purchased several and working with the manufacturer improved it even more as it is relatively new. The "SPOT" or "SPOT II" is a simple product that relies on satellites only to send and receive it's location. It is supposed to work in areas with no cell coverage. The user reviews are very mixed, some like it, some think it's a POS ( "SPOT II" has just had a recall for various problems). The unit I have is called the "GS-Traq" and is a little more money but I always say you get what you pay for. It uses GPS signals to calculate it's 3D position (long., lat., speed, heading etc.) and then transmits it via GPRS (data) through the cell network to a free web portal. I ran it up and down the St. Williams single track in my ass pack and with a 10 sec reporting interval could see my route cleanly through the bush on the GS TRAQ web portal. Who knew I could hit 38 kph through the whoops? Unfortunately I was'nt attached to the bike when I hit that speed. The biggest problem I found with all the GPS locating devices out there is that a monthly subscription to a tracking website is required making a cheap device very costly at the end of the year so you have to look at all the costs before you buy. A lot of times they don't tell you that until you've purchased it so make sure you know what you're getting. Without boring you any more check out my website at www.ideatechnologies.ca. It explains how it works and more importantly where you can use these things. Rob
Interesting info...thanks Rob. Just curious if you tested this "RED SPOTS" unit at all in your analysis? I'd never even heard of it before. They are issuing them (on a rental basis I suppose) for a rally which is being held through Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Greece, which is where I came across them. The SPOT tracker...IMO is closer to POS than A#1
Hi Ron I'd heard of "Redspot" GPS but had never seen their website until you posted it up. To me they look like older designs, in fact the "Smart T" product is actually a TR-102 made by the same company that makes my product. The TR-102 has actually been replaced by the TR-206 and I'll be testing one of those in the near future. I can't seem to find where Redspot is from or what involvement they're having in European car rallies, can you post up the link? FYI I'll be sponsoring a BMW635 rally team in the Targa Newfoundland rally in September with one of my GPS products. I found out about the rally from another sponsor and I felt that having a GPS locator in the vehicle during the run was necessary for safety reasons and to see the car's progress. The WRC teams all have them of course and from time to time if you watch WRC on tv the camera will get a shot of the team manager looking at the monitor checking out the "breadcrumb" trail of the car over the different stages. Rob
Here's the link to the Balkan Rally site that is using the Red Spots this year. The Balkan Rally is more of a (very small) "Dakar" style rally through the Balkans, not a WRC type of rally that I think you might have been searching for. http://balkanoffroad.com/cgi-bin/e-cms/ ... 040&n=1&g= More information about Red Spots here: http://www.red-spots.com/ Click the "About Us" link in the header on that page. They are a Bulgarian company. The information I have is that the Red Spots will be provided to Balkan Rally competitors as part of their entry fee for this event. No extra rentals or charges involved.
That's great they're sponsoring the event. Someday I'd like to do the same on that scale if things go well enough. It's very assuring knowing you have something with you that will allow people to locate you if you get hurt. Rob
Unfortunately that rally had a fatality last year. Not sure if the tracking device would have helped the situation or not...but it is most likely a factor in their decision this year to equip all competitors with them. I believe this will become the standard for such events shortly. If I head overseas for another rally I'll drop you a line and hit you up for a free demo unit!!! :lol:
