On Sunday, September 9, 2012 5:04:19 AM UTC-7, Jim wrote:
On Sunday, September 9, 2012 2:19:30 AM UTC-4, bumper wrote:

Aside from the cost disadvantage, InReach provides some nice additional info for each of its tracking points, altitude, speed, and bearing (or heading). I't also pretty much bullet proof in terms of reliability. I've seen 30 minutes or more go by without a successful Spot tracking point getting through. Since InReach is two-way, it simply keeps sending until it gets through. InReach uses Iridium sats, Spot uses Globalstar . . .







Globalstar Phones: Disadvantages



1.Globalstar started to experience premature satellite failures in 2007 and launched 8 emergency satellites in 2008. Currently the system is “up” around 65% of the time, meaning 35% of the time you would have to wait until a functioning satellite is available. Go to www.globalstarusa.com to see satellite availability.



2.Not as much coverage worldwide as Iridium. Little coverage in China and Southern Africa and none at the North or South Poles.







Iridium Phones: Advantages



1.Satellites are available 98% of the time. Almost no waiting to process a call.



2.Coverage better than Globalstar phones. Works in most areas of the world.







bumper



Hey bumper,

1)the Globalstar issues you mentioned are old news and only pertained to 2-way voice (Spot data was unaffected). All their next-gen satellites have been now launched.

2) I only fly my glider in the good ole USA and have no need for Spot coverage elsewhere on earth.



That said, I admit having 1 min updates and altitude would be a cool, I don't consider it worth the extra cost for me to switch to an inReach. I have a Spot1 and its battery life is fantastic and I never see 30 min gaps. Maybe those with spotty gaps (pun intended) have their Spot in a side pocket or under their butt. Another mistake some make is not using lithium batteries. Any other kind seem to be weaker getting the signal out and they die faster. My lithium photo batteries last me all season (about 100 hours).



-Jim

The cool thing would be to use the 1 min update plus altitude reporting in contests. I imagine you could generate a real-time scores based on progess so far along a task. Scoring issues like devaluation of the day for landouts or short task wouldn't be included until the end, but you'd have a very good sense of who was doing the best at any given point in time.

9B