Live tracking of position - are we there yet?

Forums › Off topic › Live tracking of position - are we there yet?

PSLog

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#70019 16-Oct-2010 18:00

Do we yet have (affordable) technology that will allow me to head off down the Clarence river with a transponder in my kayak and for my wife to see my progress (maybe on Google Maps) from home?

I've seen references to this sort of technology used for multi-day wilderness sports overseas.

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Phil Gale
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Red Jungle

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#392659 16-Oct-2010 18:17

Define affordable?

The technology exists.

richms

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#392669 16-Oct-2010 18:42

I've just ordered one of these http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.48365 - wont see much cheaper than that IMO.

Richard rich.ms

richms

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#392672 16-Oct-2010 18:44

actually, dont know if it is live tracking or just on demand by sms, but whatever, there are plenty that are live tracking for about twice the price, you need something on an IP address to recive the data and do something however.

Richard rich.ms

PSLog

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#392681 16-Oct-2010 19:04

RedJungle: Define affordable?

The technology exists.

Try me!

PSLog

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#392682 16-Oct-2010 19:05

richms: I've just ordered one of these http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.48365 - wont see much cheaper than that IMO.

No, this one won't work if it requires cellular coverage. There isn't any on the Clarence. (and if there was I could just ring her).

PSLog

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#392684 16-Oct-2010 19:07

richms: you need something on an IP address to recive the data and do something however.

Can explain in a bit more detail, or maybe give me a link, please.
Thanks

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freitasm

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#392689 16-Oct-2010 19:13

PSLog:
richms: I've just ordered one of these http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.48365 - wont see much cheaper than that IMO.

No, this one won't work if it requires cellular coverage. There isn't any on the Clarence. (and if there was I could just ring her).

You can't have "live" tracking if there isn't data - mobile data is the way to go since I doubt any other data would be available...

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richms

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#392690 16-Oct-2010 19:15

If there is no cell coverage you would need to look to APRS based stuff, which needs an amature radio to send it and is not as small. There are some public servers and stuff but you are instantly out of what I consider to be affordable and I think you need to have a ham radio license to use it anyway.

Richard rich.ms

Gadgetcity

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#392735 16-Oct-2010 22:12

RedJungle: Define affordable?

The technology exists.

PSLog: Try me!

You sound like you want a satellite based tracking system. There are a few.
A SPOT from http://www.findmespot.net.nz/ would set you back around $400 plus a US$165 annual subscription.

peejayw

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#392765 17-Oct-2010 07:13

If you have an iPhone or Android phone with GPS and have network access along your route all you need is this

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

eracode

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#392767 17-Oct-2010 07:39

peejayw: If you have an iPhone or Android phone with GPS and have network access along your route all you need is this

No cell coverage down the Clarence. Bin there, didn't done that.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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#392772 17-Oct-2010 08:13

Gadgetcity: You sound like you want a satellite based tracking system. There are a few.
A SPOT from http://www.findmespot.net.nz/ would set you back around $400 plus a US$165 annual subscription.

Plus another US$49.99 for the optional tracking...

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3g

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#392777 17-Oct-2010 09:02

+1 on the findmespot device.

AFAIK, it's probably the most "affordable" + commercially developed device.
For the businesses that I work with, the price is small change, but can understand that for personal use it's probably not as affordable.

Nigel H.

PSLog

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#392784 17-Oct-2010 10:36

Hey! Spot sounds exactly what I had in mind.
I'd prefer if you could subscribe by the month (say, just over summer) but that pricing is not too far out of the way.
Might make some enquires of the SAR co-ordination center to see what their feelings are about it, if they have had any spot assistance referrals from the US.
Thanks very much for that info.
Geekzone comes up trumps yet again.

Gadgetcity

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#392816 17-Oct-2010 12:49

freitasm:
Gadgetcity: You sound like you want a satellite based tracking system. There are a few.
A SPOT from http://www.findmespot.net.nz/ would set you back around $400 plus a US$165 annual subscription.

Plus another US$49.99 for the optional tracking...

I included that in the price above.

PSLog - glad to help

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