Is There A SPOT In Your Future For A Personal GPS Tracking Device?

Image by Severin Sadjina via Flickr Are you an outdoor adventurer that loves to talk about where your travels are taking you, just as much as you enjoy exploring new frontiers? Maybe you're just a concerned individual that takes comfort into knowing the whereabouts of your loved ones and that they're safe. In either case, a SPOT just might be a little piece of technology that can help you stay in touch with others.

What is a SPOT and how does it work?

SPOT is a feature packed personal GPS tracking device that's small enough to fit into your pocket. While cell phones are often plagued with poor coverage in remote areas, SPOT communicates over satellite, keeping you connected with friends and family from virtually anywhere in the world. Several models of SPOT such as the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger, SPOT Personal Tracker, SPOT HUG, Intrinsically Safe SPOT, and the Delorme PN-60W Communicator, are available to choose from and include many features ranging from:

• SOS - For life threatening or other critical emergencies
• Help - For non-life threatening emergencies
• Check-in/OK - Let your friends and family know that all is OK with a pre-programmed message along with your GPS location
• Custom Message - Let your friends and family receive a custom message along with your GPS location
• Track Progress - Send and save your location, letting contacts track your progress in near real time using Google Maps
• Facebook - Share your GPS location and message on Facebook
• Twitter - Share your GPS location and message on Twitter
• And more...

What value does a SPOT have for me?

Whether you're into hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, sailing, or virtually any other outdoor activity, SPOT places a personal GPS tracking device right in your pocket. Use SPOT to relay GPS coordinates to 911 services in the event of an emergency, send custom messages back to friends and family, or track your route on Google Maps for others to follow in near real time. SPOT can also be used as a personal safety device for children so that parents can feel more assured that their kids are safe and remain located where they are supposed to be.

For a small price along with an annual service fee, why not slip a SPOT into your pocket and keep friends an family informed about your location through email and SMS, map your adventure on Google Maps in near real time, or post your GPS coordinates to your Facebook and Twitter accounts for others to follow.

Are you interested in getting a SPOT? If so, how would you use a SPOT?

Stay Safe During Thanksgiving Weekend

With Thanksgiving weekend being one of the busiest weekends of the duning season, it's more important than ever to practice safe duning.

Last year 185,000 people visited the dunes during Thanksgiving weekend and this year the expected turnout is between 175,000 and 200,000. As always, with that large of a turnout, there is always increased chance of accidents.

Unfortunately, there has already been one report of a fatality out in Glamis, CA. It was reported that a 47 year old man from Benicia, California was fatally injured as he rode his motorcycle up Oldsmobile Hill. The CHP reports that the rider lost control of the bike by accelerating too fast, causing the bike to flip over backwards onto the rider. An investigation of the collision is pending.

The ASA board recommends observing the following while around any location where a large crowd occurs, such as the sand drags:

→ The law everywhere in the dunes is 15 mph within 50 feet of people or camp.

→ As a spectator, you must stay back a safe distance from the action.

→ Spectator lines must be at least 200 feet apart, 100 feet for the drag strip and 50 feet on each side for the required safety zone.

→ Do not narrow the distance between the spectator lines to see better. This places you in the path of the drag vehicles when they are at their highest speed.

→ Do not rely on spectator vehicles for your sole protection. Out-of-control vehicles can flip over parked vehicles.

→ Plan escape paths and always be on the alert to get out of the way of an out-of-control vehicle.

→ Keep children out of harm's way, behind barriers and as protected as possible.

→ Don't encroach into the run-out or return lanes.

→ Pay attention to your surroundings.

→ Encourage others to act as responsible spectators. Don't be afraid to ask someone to act appropriately.

→ As drivers, it is your ultimate responsibility to control speed and distance.

→ If the crowd is too close, or you can't see the end of the course ... don't launch the vehicle.

→ Keep the racing short. Competitive drags are 100 yards ... not a 1/4 mile long.

→ Use run-out area for slow down ... not for show-off.

→ Return-lane speed must also obey the 15 mph/50-foot rule.

→ Be sober. DUI laws always apply.

→ Flying starts at the drags are a recipe for disaster.

→ Responsible duners never approach a jump without a spotter.

→ Wheelies limit the driver's vehicle control.

→ Take your driving responsibilities deadly serious.

→ Respect BLM and other enforcement personnel.

With all that said, please stay safe out there and enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend in the dunes!

Win a Buckshot Racing Sand Car

Support the ASA and win a brand new Monster Energy SX-5 by Buckshot Racing.

Make sure to get your raffle ticket for this awesome Buckshot Racing Sand Car. Tickets are $20 each and all proceeds benefit the ASA general fund. Must be 18yrs or older to enter and win.

Sponsors of this incredible sand eating machine include:

Buckshot Racing - Monster Energy - Rancho Performance Transaxles - PBS Transmissions - King Shock Technology - CBM Motorsports - Summit Steel - Weddle Industries - Gear One - IMZZ Industries -Xtreme Tire - Central Powder Coating - Twisted Stich - Reach - Hannemann Fiberglass Inc. - Douglas Wheel Technology - GTR Clutch - Kartek Off-Road - Gibson Performance Exhaust - St Clair Insurance -CBR Performance Products - Toy Box Covers - Napa Auto Parts - DJ Safety Inc. - Livorsi - West Coast Batteries - Vision X - Lat Oil

If you'd like to buy a ticket for this raffle, please send mail orders and checks to: Buckshot Buggy Raffle, P.O. Box 1872,Canyon Country, CA 91386

or Call: 888-540-SAND

Winners need not be present to win. For more information, please visit the ASA website at www.asasand.com

The drawing will be held at the Sand Sports Super Show on September 18th, 2011. Winners do not need to be present to win.