By using satellite technology to pinpoint a person’s location, a GPS navigation system can direct emergency services to a stricken climber or outdoor enthusiast’s location. Perhaps the perfect example of a GPS system being used as a safety measure is the SPOT Satellite Messenger. Ideal for both vehicle and handheld use, the SPOT Satellite Messenger is the ultimate in safety.
The SPOT Satellite Messenger system carries much more weight than standard GPS systems when it comes to safety benefits and features. More a personal locator beacon than a traditional GPS system, the SPOT Satellite Messenger benefits from:
Tracking – The SPOT Satellite Messenger also sends a message every 10 minutes for 24 hours, or until you switch the unit off. This ensures your friends and family can easily track your progress (also using the triple redundancy feature).
OK button – sends a pre-written message to both email and/or cell phone accounts to let friends or family know that you are safe and well. Using a triple redundancy feature, it sends a message 3 times within a 20-minute cycle to ensure your message is sent.
Alert 911 - sends signals every 5 minutes until the SPOT Satellite Messenger is powered down. This invaluable feature tracks your position the whole time it is on.
Need Help button – similar to the OK button with the difference being it sends a distress message to your chosen recipients, advising that you need non-emergency assistance (again using the triple redundancy feature).
All the above features run in conjunction with Google Maps, so loved ones can see exactly where you are. The service covers almost all of North America, Europe and Australia. It also covers parts of South America, Northern Africa and Northeastern Asia, and even allows for thousands of miles of offshore coverage. The SPOT Satellite Messenger is the next stage in GPS systems and their safety benefits.
Safety First! And Happy GPS!
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Tag: GPS, Gadgets, Google Maps, SPOT Satellite Messenger