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Old 07-09-2013, 07:56   #1
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Looking for a simple GPS tracker for ocean sailing

Hi All

I am looking for a simple GPS tracker so that I can be tracked from home while in mid-ocean. It has to be a GPS transmitter as opposed to GSM as I will not have cell coverage most of the time. I am looking for anything fancy - any of those smartphone apps that are available are fine - problem is that I will not have GSM reception.
Thanks in advance
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Old 07-09-2013, 08:04   #2
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Re: Looking for a simple GPS tracker for ocean sailing

I use our Iridium phone and update twitter every day or so underway. Position, weather, how things are shaping up, etc.

Try the Spot and Delorme suit of products if you're not carrying a satellite phone.
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Old 07-09-2013, 13:02   #3
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Re: Looking for a simple GPS tracker for ocean sailing

Thanks Rebel Heart - I am familiar with the Iridium phone but it would mean "touching base" at different intervals - I am looking for an AIS type thing where I can be tracked any time. AIS is perfect but just too expensive for me and I dont need all the extras it gives - just my position. Thanks anyways - I keep on looking for something.
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Old 07-09-2013, 14:20   #4
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Re: Looking for a simple GPS tracker for ocean sailing

Check out the Yellowbrick GPS trackers.

http://http://www.yellowbrick-tracking.com

They use the Iridium satellites, I think. Truly global coverage, unlike Spot, which has some blank spots on its coverage map.
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Old 07-09-2013, 14:42   #5
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Re: Looking for a simple GPS tracker for ocean sailing

my antique spot only gives position when i push a button and has been fairly accurate--moreso than my garmin-lol when i send the signals. i choose when and from where i send the signals

yes it sends lat and long

yes it is cheap
why not look into them.
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Old 07-09-2013, 23:57   #6
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Re: Looking for a simple GPS tracker for ocean sailing

Thanks guys - for the prices of Spot or similar devices I may as well buy an AIS transponder/receiver. It looks like this may be the best bet anyway price wise in the end, plus of course the additional features of AIS. I'll keep looking though for something in the meantime. Thanks for your help
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Old 08-09-2013, 05:05   #7
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Re: Looking for a simple GPS tracker for ocean sailing

^^ no-one ashore will be able to see/track your AIS position when you are "mid-ocean".

Other ships near you will be able to see your AIS when you are offshore, but to get it on the web AIS tracker sites you need to be in range (say 12nm for a class B) of a shore tracking station.
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Old 10-09-2013, 18:21   #8
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Re: Looking for a simple GPS tracker for ocean sailing

Hello,

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Old 11-09-2013, 06:22   #9
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Re: Looking for a simple GPS tracker for ocean sailing

Just to expand on estarzinger's comment... AIS uses a VHF signal. It is line-of-sight. It won't reach any farther than a normal cell phone would.
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Old 11-09-2013, 06:39   #10
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Re: Looking for a simple GPS tracker for ocean sailing

Quote:
Originally Posted by markram View Post
I am looking for a simple GPS tracker so that I can be tracked from home while in mid-ocean. It has to be a GPS transmitter as opposed to GSM as I will not have cell coverage most of the time. I am looking for anything fancy - any of those smartphone apps that are available are fine - problem is that I will not have GSM reception.
As others have mentioned, satellite is the only dependable way that your boat position can be relayed from anywhere to the rest of the world. So any possible solution will have a satellite as the transmit path.

Do let us know what you finally choose.
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Old 26-04-2022, 09:05   #11
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Re: Looking for a simple GPS tracker for ocean sailing

Cormorant: “Check out the Yellowbrick GPS trackers.”

There is at least a dozen handheld trackers available if you search the internet. I know the “Spot” has a website where family can track your progress on a map. For the others I have no info.
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Old 26-04-2022, 23:01   #12
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Re: Looking for a simple GPS tracker for ocean sailing

We use a Garmin InReach for just that. It works well.
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