SPOT: Satellite Personal Tracker and Steins Pillar.

When my friend purchased a satellite tracking device called “SPOT,” or Satellite Personal Tracker over the summer, I did some thinking about getting one too. He gave me a summary about what it is and what it does. I figured I think this device may be some extra insurance.

The device works three ways. One is a check-in feature to let your party on the email list for your service know that everything is good. Second is a non-life-threatening help, such as car breakdown. Third is the 911 button, and when pressed, it contacts a dispatch center that reports your coordinates and forwards the call to the local authorities. The help and check-in messages can be customized but they are brief.

Last week when I hiked Steins Pillar, I thought I would put this device to the test. The entire was cell phone-free zone or the signal was too weak to establish a connection. I established a “check-OK message at the trailhead, the overlook and back at the trailhead. When I returned home, I found all four of my check-in transmits were successful. My cell phone was worthless and I hand no need for both my CB and FRS radios.

If you do assign your friends or relatives to the email list, it helps to tell them that the email from the device should not be treated as junk mail.

One other feature is the tracking feature for an extra $50, which I opted out because I personally do not need an electronic leash. On one other note, do still pack your matches, fire starters, signal mirror and whistle, because electronics are susceptible to failure.

Nikon introduced the Nikon D90 digital SLR camera. The camera’s size and styling is comparable to the D70s and the D80 models and some features have derived from the D300. Its main selling point is the ability to record video, which Nikon claims that this model is the first dSLR camera to record videos. I’m kind of skeptical about the video feature because usually audio quality is usually overlook, but a key to good video. The D90 plays back audio in mono, but I haven’t heard any reports about the audio quality. It also includes a self-cleaning sensor to remove particles that otherwise appear on images, especially in smaller aperture. For me, the video feature is not all that important and with two Nikon dSLR (D80 and D70s as a backup) already in my hands, I’m in no rush to buy this model. I’ll stick with my JVC camcorder for the videos. It never felt right to shoot photos with my camcorder. It won’t feel right shooting videos with my dSLR.

Read more about the Nikon D90 at www.Nikon.com.