Satellite tracking devices

[nwawingman]

Just looking into getting some type of satellite tracking device and was wondering what other Sonex pilot were using when flying to remote areas.

I was looking at the SPOT Trace as a low cost option. Since I lack a transponder and can't use flight following, these have a feature that can link these devices to Flight Service for VFR tracking. With this device I could set it up to text my wife when plane is in motion and when it stops. Also she could track my progress in route. I always let her know my flight plan before take off but this would give details as to exact location in route. Let me know if you have any experiences with these types of devices.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=109&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=trace

http://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2014/july/28/spot-simplifies-with-new-trace-tracker?WT.mc_id=140731special=WT.mc_sect%3dosh

Sale price of $69 at Cabela's plus a $99 per year contract
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Spot-Trace-trade-Anti-Theft-Tracker/1804702.uts?productVariantId=3871770&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03896481&rid=20&gclid=CPn0uYbA08wCFQqKaQodE30I-A&gclsrc=aw.ds

[fastj22]

I have an old Spot I bought many years ago to use in the Canadian wilderness canoe trips with the Boy Scouts. It was cool to give "ok" messages and coordinates to the boy's parents.

Haven't kept up the subscription though. The Spot people told me if I used the 911 feature without a subscription, they'd still send help and Bill me the lapsed fees. So it sits in my flight bag, just in case.

[kevinh]

I've used both Spot and the Delorme In-reach. The inreach is a little more expensive but far more useful - because it is two direction (it also does tracking), you can send _and receive_ texts to your wife.

Or if you prefer free you can use APRS - I have one in the RV7 I built (and I'll be putting one in my Waiex). No service fees and very good coverage based on a volunteer network. Here's the public tracklogs from the person who now owns my RV.

[Gripdana]

I purchased the Spot in March to use on a long cross country trip. I liked the simple features. Friends and family were able to track my progress. The simple messaging made it easy to check in and let everyone know I was ok. Overall it was a good deal and performer.