 Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I'm posting this in the Lounge because it's bigger than Accessories, even though it involves an accessory. It also has to do with rider safety. I think it was Soren who posted a story about a lost rider who was found dead in eastern Idaho, having ridden off the road and found later by some hunters. Well, one of my buddies is an Idaho State Trooper from in Salmon who had to process that scene and deal with the family. I made a joke (of sorts, but not really) in a blog post about buying a GPS that updates a website periodically with my location at all times, since I usually ride alone. I was on a solo ride last Sunday and hadn't told anyone where I was going. The news story above stuck in my mind the whole time. Now he's contacted me to ask about that. Is it already possible? Does it already exist? I'm pretty sure it does but I know little or nothing about GPS's, except for Zmilins "skill" in using them. This is what he sent me today: "The victim's family was looking into contacting motorcycle [or GPS] companies and seeing about getting a program going exclusively for motorcycle riders. So if something does come up, other families wouldn't have to go through what they went through." What say you? Does this exist already? What should they do? I don't think it even has to be a regular, fully functional GPS. Could be just a transceiver that you mount on your bike somewhere like LoJack. Heck, LoJack might be the ticket. Crusty old anti-gadget geezers need not reply.
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 885 Likes: 2
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 885 Likes: 2 |
There are many such devices that could be used.. For example, I know of a couple that are targeted to parents of teenage drivers. It not only provides real-time location information, but also will record routes/speeds/etc.. for later playback. There are also several systems out there designed for tracking truck fleets real-time via GPS. Do a google search for 'GPS tracking' and you will come up with a wealth of information.
Cheers,
Brad
To be old and wise, you must first be young and stupid.
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 48
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 48 |
Hi FJ, It's called the SPOT - check out http://www.findmespot.com/en/.There's a good article on it on the back page of the current issue of Canadian Biker - you might have trouble finding a copy down there but try http://www.canadianbiker.com/Device lets you send out an emergency help call or an end of the day "I'm OK" call and friends/relations can track you in 10 minute increments. Sounds kinda handy. I just came back from 10 days in Washington, Oregon and California and was on some pretty lonely back roads most of the time, out of cellphone range. This would have been good to have. Pedro
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
...Crusty old anti-gadget geezers need not reply.
WHAT???!!! All of a sudden you're tired of usin' the word "Luddites" to describe some of the "Kickstarter Crowd" around here or somethin', John????  
(good thread here, BTW!!!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I certainly want something like this before I join the Iron Butt Association...
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
Who ya callin Crusty? 
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
That's excellent info. Thanks.
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
Who ya callin Crusty?
I don't have to point anybody out. The group is self-selecting. Thank you for proving it.  
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Thanks. $100 is much more in line with what I had in mind for cost.
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457 |
I thought some cell phones had GPS finders in them?
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 728 Likes: 1
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 728 Likes: 1 |
FG, our cell phones settings Motorola/Verizon has the choice of 911 only locator or location finder built in. So that tells me that Big brother or a 911 emergency request, they could pin point your location. Maybe.  Bob
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Quote:
Hi FJ,
It's called the SPOT - check out http://www.findmespot.com/en/.
I like that one. Its affordable...kinda and has good features.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 497
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 497 |
What about LoJack?
I thought it would pinpoint your bike anywhere?
If there's nothing wrong with me,
maybe there's something wrong with the universe!
-Dr. Crusher
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
I know with my cell phone (Verizon service) they have some program they can activate on the phone and someone can go to a website to view the location.
At work we just installed GOS units on all of our service trucks. You can view live location data online of each truck.
Soren
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Once again, for those of us in the boonies, or those city folk who like to travel through here, cell ain't reliable enough. Satellite is the way to go.
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
Quote:
What about LoJack?
I thought it would pinpoint your bike anywhere?
I think Lojack would be the best solution and a little net searching shows it costs around $600. If GPS had such a feature, battery life (or lack thereof) would render it powered down pretty quickly , if it survived a crash.
Come to think of it, a Lojack for my car probably wouldn't be a bad idea. I drive 60k/year and my wife only generally knows my destination and typically not my route, which can vary greatly. I read a story in a restaurant publication a few years back where a guy had a heart attack while in his car at a PA travel plaza (one I cover). His car was running and he was semi-concious for three days before a friend went out and found him, saving his life. The plaza people thought he was just sleeping.
Al
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Quote:
What about LoJack?
I thought it would pinpoint your bike anywhere?
The LoJack unit has two things against it.
1) The local police dept needs to be equipped to search for it and I would imagine some smaller areas may not be equipped. Also, the locals ned to be notified that they need to search for you.
2) Size of unit. Back when I was installing auto alarms the units were pretty large. We usually installed then under the rear seats. They may be smaller now, I dont know. Then theres the backup battery.
The LoJack unit needs to be powered. Lets think about this...using the Goldwing guys situation as an example.
You go off the road. Your bike tumbles and the battery goes flying out...better yet, you go down and your battery stays in BUT the lights are still on. The battery wears down after a few hours. Now how does the LoJack emit a signal? It uses the back up battery. Size of battery will limit the time it keeps transmitting a signal. Chances are the back up battery will only be good for a day or two max IF it stays attatched to the correct wires durign the tumble.
How long will it take to get someeon to notice your gone and then get the locals to start looking for you.
Seems to me in this situation youd want an active tracking system that doesnt reply on the bikes power.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Sherri and I were talking about this at dinner last night and the question now, since there are so many options existing for this issue, what will the family be able to do? Reinvent the wheel? She was being a bit snarky but she was right.
Duncan has all this information and he's passing it along to the family. Thanks everyone.
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I'm on Verizon. I had a GPS capable phone in February until it got run over by a car. I've been using my old VX8600 ever since.
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
I'm on Verizon. I had a GPS capable phone in February until it got run over by a car.
 Now THAT sounds like a little saga we'd like to hear more about, John. At least I know I WOULD!!!
Let me guess here...Your BA's taillight fell off again, but THIS TIME you heard it hit the road. And so, when you stopped and went back to retrieve it, the phone fell out of your pocket as you jumped out of the way just as that Buick went by ya! 
(am I CLOSE???)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Wow John! How quickly we forget, HUH???!!! Well, I'm that guy who fortunately hasn't had to deal with any of those lawyer types out there ever...THAT'S who!!!  (remember NOW???)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
There are cell phones that have built in GPS that can be queried by a special code. Some automatically download their location when a 911 (999) call is made. Unfortunately, there are usually no cell towers where you would need that feature most.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
Free GPS cell phone apps http://www.nav4all.com/site2/www.nav4all.com/index.phpThe reviews seem generally positive, but I have no experience with their service. Its likely understood that to use their service, one has to connect to their server, incurring airtime. I recently changed to a $40 per month unlimited talk & text with 20MB phone plane, so I'll give it a shot. Hopefully this service will work with my Verizon compatible phone, without hacking. Don't know just yet, but they do list my phone as being viable to their service. --------------------------------------------- Off topic: $40 plan link http://www.pagepluscellular.com/A Verizon compatible phone is required for their service. Walmart sells them fairly cheap. They port numbers for free too, and usually with a few hours. I've been with Verizon reseller Pageplus for a few years on their pay as you go plan. One can go as low as $10 for service, good for 83 minutes over a 120 day span. They are a good company with no hidden, code worded (double extra gold & silver deluxe plan!!!) or obscured in fine print gotchas. One can actually call them with questions, and have the phone call answered within a few minutes by an on-shore person speaking my own native language. $40 includes all taxes and fees as well. One caveat - roaming is $0.59 per minute. Fortunately I no longer have any emergency / first responder needs for a cell phone. Whoever it is can wait until I get out of a roam zone. If that doesn't work, they can call 911 as my jet pack is in the shop. (I think its the igniter...)
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Re: Calling all GPS users
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
I saw this in a magazine. http://www.finditnowusa.com/ its GPS made for bikes. You can look up the location via cell phone or internet.
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