(NC)-Your garden variety GPS handheld device is a wonderful tool for navigating your way around city streets, expressways and country roads. But for those who love to spend a lot of time in recreational pursuits in remote locations - and well out of cell phone range - the one thing your GPS won't do is let you contact friends and loved ones if you need help, want to share details on your progress, or simply feel like saying "I'm okay".
One way to conquer the cell phone "dead zone" syndrome is the SPOT personal Satellite Messenger™ (www.findmespot.com This rugged and colorful little device is the only one on the market that lets you send outgoing preprogrammed messages - complete with your GPS coordinates - to check in with friends, request supplies or even contact an emergency response call centre. Because it uses satellite technology, it can be used almost anywhere, from the open waters to a mountaintop.
You can send messages to up to five email address and five cell phones of your choosing. And if you want to spread the word further, there's even a function that lets you send an email link so you can share your GPS location waypoints and messages with others. Anyone who clicks on the link will be able to see your progress for the past seven days on GoogleMaps™. It's a great way to keep people up to date on your whereabouts and let them share in your adventure.
The shared pages service is a no-charge optional feature for SPOT Satellite Messenger™ subscribers. Simply create your shared page, choose what information you want to show and then email your Web link to friends and family members. Shared pages can either be password protected to keep the information "in the family" or you can make your adventures available to the general public. The choice is yours.
- News Canada