Spot

Saw this article and thought it was an interesting gizmo. Maybe for the JONG hiker/BC skier in your family.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columni...-tracker_N.htm

"Targeted at serious backpackers, boaters, hunters and other committed outdoor enthusiasts, Spot is a chunky, 7-ounce personal tracker whose main purpose is to bail you out of trouble. The product — it looks like a bright orange PDA on steroids — taps into Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to determine your whereabouts. Then if you get into a pickle, Spot, at the press of a button, will transmit your longitude, latitude and a preprogrammed text or e-mail message to emergency 911 authorities and/or your loved ones. Folks can view your location on Google Maps. Alas, you have no way of knowing if your cry for help has been received."

So, has anybody used one of these? I'm thinking it's for more than the JONG traveller, and that it may have some value in the b/c . . . would be interested in feedback!

I was checking it out. I'd be interested if it had full GPS capabilities. My wife would like to know I'm OK when on long tours with no cell phone access, emergency help / distress signal is always a good thing...