SPOT, MAP AND SNACK IN VIEW ON
THE YUKON RIVER QUEST RACE. PHOTO: KAYDI PYETTE
Field TestSPOT ON
SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR PERFECT FOR ADVENTUROUS PADDLERS
Looking for a life-saving line of com- munication in a compact and lightweight package? Look no further than SPOT’s Gen3 satellite communicator, which allows paddlers on remote routes and out of cell coverage to stay in touch or request emer- gency assistance. With a single push of the SOS button on the Gen3, the GEOS In- ternational Emergency Response Coordi- nation Center provides your GPS coordi- nates and information to local emergency response teams. The SPOT was mandatory equipment
on the Yukon River Quest (
www.yukon-
riverquest.com), the world’s longest annual
canoe and kayak race, which I competed in earlier this year. Having a SPOT along allows race organizers piece of mind for this remote 715-kilometer route, as well as adds an element of fun for armchair adventurers who can watch the event unfold from the comfort of their home. In addition to its SOS functions, the Gen3 also allows for tracking your path every five, 10, 30 or 60 minutes on your route, so that friends and family can follow your progress online, and so you can review your entire route later. Set-up of the unit at home was simple (if not exactly intuitive), as was set- ting up a shared page to send to friends and family. During the Quest, the SPOT sat strapped to the bow of our canoe, transmitting our coordinates at an hourly interval. We never had to worry about it and could focus entirely on paddling.
34 PADDLING MAGAZINE At just four ounces, small enough to be easily stashed in a pocket, and with
an affordable price tag as well as a reasonable yearly subscription fee, it’s a no- brainer addition to the kits of many expedition paddlers. I’ve since brought it on weekend paddling trips and a five-day remote coastal hike. Each time it has been reliable. I think it’s my parents, watching my progress from home, that enjoy the peace of mind of Gen3 provides most. Other Gen3 features include the SPOT Assist button, which alerts prede-
termined contacts that you require assistance in a non-life-threatening situa- tion, and the Check-In button, which sends a pre-programmed text message or email with GPS coordinates. The Gen3 does have limitations, it’s a one-way communicator—so it
doesn’t receive messages—and there’s no way to confirm 100 percent that your message has sent. SPOT operates 100 percent on satellite networks, so you never need to
worry about cellular coverage range, however, it’s wise to look at the Global- star coverage map, as other satellite networks may provide better coverage for the location of your remote trip. Four AAA batteries power the SPOT Gen3—I found one set of batteries lasted me for each multi-day trip. Lithium batteries are expected to last 100+ hours in the field. Since its launch, SPOT’s satellite technology has helped initiate more than
3,500 rescues. $169.99 CAD, plus subscription service |
www.findmespot.ca —Kaydi Pyette
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