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Hi GS guys. This is a post that I put on another group. The gist of it is that I'm trying to learn as much as I can about GPS systems on transports. Any and all input would be appreciated. My goal is to assemble an inexpensive device that would be available to adventure motorcyclists.
I'm doing a bit of research on Transport logistics systems that posts your position on the internet. Is anybody here running one on their bike?
From what I can tell they are a GPS coupled with a cellular phone system. It is possible to buy an out of service 53 foot transport trailer in Canada that has the system for about 3000$CDN. I'm sure you've seen the round white tubs on transports , that's what I'm talking about. They can come with batteries that last 90 days before you need to charge up.
I've looked around a bit and http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031027/sfm005_1.html has a 50 country service. http://www.fleetilla.com/coveragemaps.html has Canada, USA, and Mexico.
My concern is the operating cost of one of these things. Would you pay a flat rate for the service depending on coverage or pay a roaming bill for a cellular phone? Ofcourse a lot of countries won't have the service on every road but it would be pretty good to have a method to send text messages to the internet in many places. Yep, they can send messages both ways via a waterproof keypad or perhaps a crappy old PDA you got for free.
Hmm, if it could connect to a Blackberry I think world coverage would be possible (and free). Those things use their own satellites don't they?
How about the systems seen in Taxis?
I'll have to go to a truck repair shop some time and see what is available. Can some of you guys check into it too?
This seems like an invaluable system for single travellers. Just pull into a large town anywhere in the world and you can talk back and forth with somebody you have asked to keep an eye on you via the internet.
Something tells me it would be possible to set up a working system for about 1000$CDN if being very frugal. I could probably get one of the GPS things for a case of beer if I went to a local tranport company. They probably buy the used trailers and refurbish them with no intention of using the logistics equipment.
Equipment longevity should not be an issue. Trailers are expected to last ONE MILLION MILES.
Here's a list of a suppliers as of November 2002. More importantly it shows whether the systems run on cellular or low-earth orbit satellites!
Cheers, Steve
I'm doing a bit of research on Transport logistics systems that posts your position on the internet. Is anybody here running one on their bike?
From what I can tell they are a GPS coupled with a cellular phone system. It is possible to buy an out of service 53 foot transport trailer in Canada that has the system for about 3000$CDN. I'm sure you've seen the round white tubs on transports , that's what I'm talking about. They can come with batteries that last 90 days before you need to charge up.
I've looked around a bit and http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031027/sfm005_1.html has a 50 country service. http://www.fleetilla.com/coveragemaps.html has Canada, USA, and Mexico.
My concern is the operating cost of one of these things. Would you pay a flat rate for the service depending on coverage or pay a roaming bill for a cellular phone? Ofcourse a lot of countries won't have the service on every road but it would be pretty good to have a method to send text messages to the internet in many places. Yep, they can send messages both ways via a waterproof keypad or perhaps a crappy old PDA you got for free.
Hmm, if it could connect to a Blackberry I think world coverage would be possible (and free). Those things use their own satellites don't they?
How about the systems seen in Taxis?
I'll have to go to a truck repair shop some time and see what is available. Can some of you guys check into it too?
This seems like an invaluable system for single travellers. Just pull into a large town anywhere in the world and you can talk back and forth with somebody you have asked to keep an eye on you via the internet.
Something tells me it would be possible to set up a working system for about 1000$CDN if being very frugal. I could probably get one of the GPS things for a case of beer if I went to a local tranport company. They probably buy the used trailers and refurbish them with no intention of using the logistics equipment.
Equipment longevity should not be an issue. Trailers are expected to last ONE MILLION MILES.
Here's a list of a suppliers as of November 2002. More importantly it shows whether the systems run on cellular or low-earth orbit satellites!
Cheers, Steve
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