I'm looking to do some downwinders away from the Metro area. What I'm looking for is some kind of GPS locating devise that send out a signal to my missus' phone (or a computer) in real time so she can track my progress and know when to come and pick me up (or where to pick me up in case things go tits up and I need to head to a random beach).
I've asked in the local camping, boating and 4WD shops but have not been to successful.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Cheers

Ian Young used a GPS tracking device on his EPIC downwinder from Perth 2 Exe that had a live feed to his support crew and web, could be a good idea to PM him.

I think it was a nano tracker but best to check with him.

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Weta said..
Ian Young used a GPS tracking device on his EPIC downwinder from Perth 2 Exe that had a live feed to his support crew and web, could be a good idea to PM him.

I think it was a nano tracker but best to check with him.

Yeah, I did think of him and his adventure.
Can someone who knows Ian, or a member of his support crew help put me in contact?
Cheers

search this topic "kitesurfing from Perth to the North-West Cape"

Click on author & send him a PM.

Hope you don't mind Ian??

Yes, I could do that, in fact I could have thought about that myself given that I followed the posts for this trip religiously.

Lucky I can lift heavy things, as I'm obviously not too bright.

You should be able to do it with a smart phone if there is cell coverage (numerous ways, but 'find my phone' on an iPhone for example should work and be easy to set up).

Spot epirb does eactly as you want, provides 10m track points back to your nominated email, trackable on Google earth

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ffifty5 said..
Spot epirb does eactly as you want, provides 10m track points back to your nominated email, trackable on Google earth

Yep, thats the stuff. I think that exactly what I'm looking for!

Thanks

I use a Yellow Brick when sailing (boat). It involves money. But it reports to a map with better resolution than Google Earth and you can add picture/blog and friends can comment. You can send and receive text messages to mobile phones and email with it. It can do automatic position reports or manual. Also has the emergency button on it for when the $hit hits the fan. The battery has excellent life.

But if you have mobile phone coverage where you are kiting, it may be better (cheaper) to just call up and use some app to track.

www.g-layer.com.au/yellowbrick/

Yellow Brick has other competitors as well I you are thinking of going this way.

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StKKiter said..
You should be able to do it with a smart phone if there is cell coverage (numerous ways, but 'find my phone' on an iPhone for example should work and be easy to set up).

Don't mean to be a smart ass.... But surely if you are taking a smart phone and have "cell coverage" you could probably just make a call and say " pick me up here"

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harry potter said..

StKKiter said..
You should be able to do it with a smart phone if there is cell coverage (numerous ways, but 'find my phone' on an iPhone for example should work and be easy to set up).

Don't mean to be a smart ass.... But surely if you are taking a smart phone and have "cell coverage" you could probably just make a call and say " pick me up here"

True, but what if I, or the missus, don't know the name of the beach??

Spot is the go, I have one for my traveling. Fantastic device, also has an SOS button that sends search and rescue if you get in real trouble.

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eezeegowin said..

harry potter said..

StKKiter said..
You should be able to do it with a smart phone if there is cell coverage (numerous ways, but 'find my phone' on an iPhone for example should work and be easy to set up).

Don't mean to be a smart ass.... But surely if you are taking a smart phone and have "cell coverage" you could probably just make a call and say " pick me up here"

True, but what if I, or the missus, don't know the name of the beach??

Google maps works a treat.
My missus insists if I go kiting down the coast I let her know where I am heading out. I have found the best way is to use google maps.. with current position take a screen shot and text her the pic.... I am here..... I'm usually on the surf coast with no one else out so I have no issue with letting her know.
Its also a whole lot easier than trying to explain which carpark and which street etc...

as an example:


I guess now everyone knows where I am tonight

For those considering taking a smart phone the best and cheapest way to waterproof is a condom. Open it up drop phone in and tie a knot.... The touch screen will still work as well.
I use to do this for the phones GPS to track a few speed runs. Tucked it up the sleeve of my wetsuit.

Try to avoid the extra lubed dingers if you must use them turn it inside out

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harry potter said..
For those considering taking a smart phone the best and cheapest way to waterproof is a condom. Open it up drop phone in and tie a knot.... The touch screen will still work as well.
I use to do this for the phones GPS to track a few speed runs. Tucked it up the sleeve of my wetsuit.

Try to avoid the extra lubed dingers if you must use them turn it inside out

Hmm my phone doesn't fit in my extra small ones

I have heard of guys in NZ using a tracking service provided by predict wind.I think it uses your mobile to track your location and send details back to their server which you can share login details with whoever you want

I just got a Garmin Fenix 2, it shows me how far I've gone and gives me a live read on my speed - I then can connect it to my phone/computer and upload the GPS data. You can also set way points and stuff as a marker when doing down winders and I think you can send an invite to someone so that they can track where you are (tested this but it was saying I was in Russia or something, so not quite sure how it works yet).

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wdric said..
I have heard of guys in NZ using a tracking service provided by predict wind.I think it uses your mobile to track your location and send details back to their server which you can share login details with whoever you want

I can see it now
" Harry called in sick today , on his land line and i can see why ...... just logged out of predict wind and it appears his mobile has been swallowed by a hyperactive dolphin on ice that visits the local pub after 6pm "

you can use your iPhone to share your location with anyone you permit to do so. This should solve your problem

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rockykite said..
you can use your iPhone to share your location with anyone you permit to do so. This should solve your problem

how?

Find My Iphone let's people find you wherever you are as long as you have cell reception. My missus checks to see if I am close to destination when riding to and from work.

There's any number of apps that do live tracking on smart phones. The problem is that they chew through battery very quickly and you need cell reception.

SPOT is very good and is satellite based. I use mine in my annual trip to the Himalayas (among other places). It costs about $150 for the device and $150-250 a year for the subscription to the tracking service. $150 a year gives you 10 minutes tracking. $250 gives you tracking down to 2.5 minutes.

Delorme InReach do a similar device that is a full on GPS and satellite communicator. You can do all the GPS things, 2 minute tracking, and send and receive text messages by satellite. It costs about $500 to buy and plans from $15-100 a month.

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puppetonastring said..

rockykite said..
you can use your iPhone to share your location with anyone you permit to do so. This should solve your problem

how?

you need the latest ios8.
You go into messages, then select the name of the person you want to share your location with, then at the top right you select 'details', and then you select 'share my location'.