Retour d'expérience du Spot Gen3 pour voyage à vélo longue distance
by Etchelecou
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Bonjour,
Serait-il possible d'avoir quelques retours d'expérience du tracker Spot Gen3 notamment après utilisation dans des zones encaissées ? Les envois automatiques de points gps sont-ils traduits correctement (automatiquement ?) dans une cartographie comme google maps ? Les piles lithium peuvent-elles permettre une utilisation 8 heures par jour durant 5-6 jours avec envois de points gps toutes les 30 minutes ? Pour une utilisation durant un mois, le système de location est-il plus avantageux avec les frais d'activation et d'abonnement annuel (?) que l'achat puis revente après utilisation ? Y a-t-il d'autres trackers plus adaptés aux voyages vélo longue distance ?
Merci de votre bilan d'utilisation.
André Etchelecou
http://ddvagabondages.fr
Bonjour,
A l'aube de la retraite , et après 1 millier de sommets à pied ou à ski sur divers montagnes, je vais me mettre au vélo longue distance, et j'ai bien regardé le problème des trackers satellite.
Le meilleur, à mon avis , est celui -là: Garmin Inreach MIni (Je ne le possède pas encore). https://explore.garmin.com/fr-FR/inreach/ https://www.amazon.fr/Garmin-inReach-Mini-Orange/dp/B07D4G7C57
La "review" dessous est la seule ou j'ai presque tout compris le plan tarifaire: https://shuttermuse.com/inreach-mini-review/
La tarification de ces engins est très complexe. Mais le Garmin possède un avantage indéniable: Il est le seul à proposer des messages préenregistrés GRATUITS à l'émission ( = pas de coût au delà du plan tarifaire). (dans l'article ci-dessus: " Preset messages are FREE to send!") Coût des abonnements (15 à 20 Euros/ mois en mini) https://explore.garmin.com/fr-FR/inreach/#subscriptions
3 autres remarques: - l'appareil a un écran, et permet (pénible) de définir des messages non pré -enregistrés au cas ou. - il possède une confirmation de la réception du message.
Un comparateur récent de ces matériels: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-personal-locator-beacon
Hoplà,
Gilles
Mon matériel pour Dakkar: https://gilloup.com/materiel-velo/
A l'aube de la retraite , et après 1 millier de sommets à pied ou à ski sur divers montagnes, je vais me mettre au vélo longue distance, et j'ai bien regardé le problème des trackers satellite.
Le meilleur, à mon avis , est celui -là: Garmin Inreach MIni (Je ne le possède pas encore). https://explore.garmin.com/fr-FR/inreach/ https://www.amazon.fr/Garmin-inReach-Mini-Orange/dp/B07D4G7C57
La "review" dessous est la seule ou j'ai presque tout compris le plan tarifaire: https://shuttermuse.com/inreach-mini-review/
La tarification de ces engins est très complexe. Mais le Garmin possède un avantage indéniable: Il est le seul à proposer des messages préenregistrés GRATUITS à l'émission ( = pas de coût au delà du plan tarifaire). (dans l'article ci-dessus: " Preset messages are FREE to send!") Coût des abonnements (15 à 20 Euros/ mois en mini) https://explore.garmin.com/fr-FR/inreach/#subscriptions
3 autres remarques: - l'appareil a un écran, et permet (pénible) de définir des messages non pré -enregistrés au cas ou. - il possède une confirmation de la réception du message.
Un comparateur récent de ces matériels: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-personal-locator-beacon
Hoplà,
Gilles
Mon matériel pour Dakkar: https://gilloup.com/materiel-velo/
Bonjour,
Durant mon parcours en Amérique du Sud en 2009, j'ai utilisé un "spot satellite tracker". J'avais acheté cet appareil au Vieux Campeur pour 200 euros, puis j'ai pris l'abonnement au service spot pour 100 euros pour un an. Je le démarrai le soir à l'arrivée de l'étape et les personnes que j'avais préalablement enregistrées, recevaient un message (lui aussi enregistré avant) avec ma position exacte visible sur google maps. la durée de l'émission était d'environ 20 minutes. L'appareil fonctionne avec deux piles lithium que je n'ai changé qu'un fois en 6 mois. L'appareil m'a donné entière satisfaction, ainsi qu'à mes contacts (Polynésie, Norvège et France). Je l'ai utilisé également pour mon parcours nord américain en 2013 et j'avais repris un abonnement d'un an. Je ne l'ai plus utilisé depuis et il sommeille dans mon placard.
Amicalement,
Jean
Durant mon parcours en Amérique du Sud en 2009, j'ai utilisé un "spot satellite tracker". J'avais acheté cet appareil au Vieux Campeur pour 200 euros, puis j'ai pris l'abonnement au service spot pour 100 euros pour un an. Je le démarrai le soir à l'arrivée de l'étape et les personnes que j'avais préalablement enregistrées, recevaient un message (lui aussi enregistré avant) avec ma position exacte visible sur google maps. la durée de l'émission était d'environ 20 minutes. L'appareil fonctionne avec deux piles lithium que je n'ai changé qu'un fois en 6 mois. L'appareil m'a donné entière satisfaction, ainsi qu'à mes contacts (Polynésie, Norvège et France). Je l'ai utilisé également pour mon parcours nord américain en 2013 et j'avais repris un abonnement d'un an. Je ne l'ai plus utilisé depuis et il sommeille dans mon placard.
Amicalement,
Jean
Oui , la fonction pre enregistrée semble exister partout, mais dans le cas du Inreach , l'émission est GRATUITE ( pas de cout au delà forfait), ce qui ne semble pas le cas des autres ...
InReach fonctionne sur le réseau Irridium: couverture 100% du globe.
Spot fonctionne avec le réseau Globalstar : la couverture est bonne ... sauf en Afrique de l'Ouest et Centrale. Moi qui fait au Sénégal ( voir plus loin) , c'est pas top.... https://www.findmespot.com/en-ca/products-services/coverage-maps#spot-gen3-coverage
Comparaison technique: https://www.dolink.fr/technologie
InReach fonctionne sur le réseau Irridium: couverture 100% du globe.
Spot fonctionne avec le réseau Globalstar : la couverture est bonne ... sauf en Afrique de l'Ouest et Centrale. Moi qui fait au Sénégal ( voir plus loin) , c'est pas top.... https://www.findmespot.com/en-ca/products-services/coverage-maps#spot-gen3-coverage
Comparaison technique: https://www.dolink.fr/technologie
Bonjour Jean Garcia et Gilles,
Merci de vos observations et témoignages. Un rapide bilan, à vérifier et à préciser bien sûr :
- Les possibilités techniques de la balise Garmin Inreach sont supérieures à celles de la balise Spot Gen3 : (par exemple : couverture géographique plus grande, messages bidirectionnels ...) voir https://explore.garmin.com/fr-FR/inreach/#subscriptions et https://www.findmespot.com/fr-fr/products-services/spot-gen3#overview
- Mais, si on considère une balise juste comme un instrument de sécurité pour permettre la localisation sur carte avec suivis ponctuels cartographiques du voyageur (à vélo) et pour signaler l'essentiel (tout va bien, panne pas grave, SOS déclencher secours), il semble que la balise Spot Gen3 soit suffisante, peut-être plus simple d'utilisation, un peu moins coûteuse. L'achat est plus abordable (Spot Gen3 : 175€, Garmin Inreach mini : 306€), le coût d'utilisation pour un mois serait équivalent (Spot Gen3 : 72€, Garmin Inreach mini formule loisir : 70€), le coût d'utilisation pour un an serait plus faible pour Spot Gen3 : 175€ alors que pour Garmin Inreach mini formule loisir ce serait 360€. Dans les deux cas, les coûts d'utilisation sont le cumul de frais d'activation et de frais d'abonnement. Pour la comparaison, on a multiplié les tarifs de Spot Gen3 qui sont HT par 1,20 alors que les tarifs Garmin affichés sont TTC. Pour Garmin Inreach mini, on retient le forfait médian formule loisir et non le forfait sécurité pour avoir des points de localisation illimités (sans coût à l'unité) comme pour Spot Gen3.
Peut-être d'autres retours d'expériences sur d'autres modèles ?
- Mais, si on considère une balise juste comme un instrument de sécurité pour permettre la localisation sur carte avec suivis ponctuels cartographiques du voyageur (à vélo) et pour signaler l'essentiel (tout va bien, panne pas grave, SOS déclencher secours), il semble que la balise Spot Gen3 soit suffisante, peut-être plus simple d'utilisation, un peu moins coûteuse. L'achat est plus abordable (Spot Gen3 : 175€, Garmin Inreach mini : 306€), le coût d'utilisation pour un mois serait équivalent (Spot Gen3 : 72€, Garmin Inreach mini formule loisir : 70€), le coût d'utilisation pour un an serait plus faible pour Spot Gen3 : 175€ alors que pour Garmin Inreach mini formule loisir ce serait 360€. Dans les deux cas, les coûts d'utilisation sont le cumul de frais d'activation et de frais d'abonnement. Pour la comparaison, on a multiplié les tarifs de Spot Gen3 qui sont HT par 1,20 alors que les tarifs Garmin affichés sont TTC. Pour Garmin Inreach mini, on retient le forfait médian formule loisir et non le forfait sécurité pour avoir des points de localisation illimités (sans coût à l'unité) comme pour Spot Gen3.
Peut-être d'autres retours d'expériences sur d'autres modèles ?
André Etchelecou
http://ddvagabondages.fr
C'est vrai qu'en mode tracking, la différence de prix est importante.
Perso, je compte uniquement envoyer 1 Sms quotidien à mes proches (qui contient la position).
Sinon pour diversifier les solutions
Avec un compte Google et l'application Google maps vous pouvez partager votre position à tout moment avec des personnes de votre choix.
L'aide pour y arriver :
https://support.google.com/maps/answer/7326816
En complément :
Sur les téléphones Samsung dans "Fonctions avancées" vous avez "Envoyer des messages SOS". il suffit d'appuyer 3 fois sur le bouton "marche-arrêt" et le SOS prédéfini est envoyé.
Sinon il existe une application "Partage de position & alerte de chute par SMS"
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.frederic.locationsender
Description
https://voyageforum.com/discussion/appli-alerte-chute-partage-position-par-sms-velo-d9947158/
L'avantage est que tout marche par SMS donc même s'il n'y a pas de connexion internet.
Avec un compte Google et l'application Google maps vous pouvez partager votre position à tout moment avec des personnes de votre choix.
L'aide pour y arriver :
https://support.google.com/maps/answer/7326816
En complément :
Sur les téléphones Samsung dans "Fonctions avancées" vous avez "Envoyer des messages SOS". il suffit d'appuyer 3 fois sur le bouton "marche-arrêt" et le SOS prédéfini est envoyé.
Sinon il existe une application "Partage de position & alerte de chute par SMS"
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.frederic.locationsender
Description
https://voyageforum.com/discussion/appli-alerte-chute-partage-position-par-sms-velo-d9947158/
L'avantage est que tout marche par SMS donc même s'il n'y a pas de connexion internet.
Log in first, then come back to this page.
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What kind of sleeping bag did you take? Is a 0°C (32°F) one enough? And one last question: white gas stove or can I get by with my gas stove?
Nath
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
Source code: https://github.com/patricklmarie/GPX-Route-Planner Online demo: https://patricklmarie.github.io/GPX-Route-Planner/
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
Source code: https://github.com/patricklmarie/GPX-Route-Planner Online demo: https://patricklmarie.github.io/GPX-Route-Planner/
Heinz Stucke has passed away.
He never stopped traveling the world since 1962.
So sad.
https://www.facebook.com/heinzstucke
https://www.facebook.com/heinzstucke
hello fellow cycling enthusiasts
here’s a travel journal of the cycling tour through the Rhône-Alpes Auvergne region by Claudio
zouli
it was the plan
http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/auvergne-Ralpes/
the trip was completed story being posted online soon 1100 km in 11 days beautiful and varied regions
claudio

the trip was completed story being posted online soon 1100 km in 11 days beautiful and varied regions
claudio

Hello,
We’d like to go on a 3- to 4-month bike trip starting in December, crossing from Assam (northeast India) to New Delhi via Nepal.
Are there routes with light traffic along the Brahmaputra and through Nepal?
We’re also looking for any info on accommodations, wild camping, local interactions, etc.
Thanks,
Michel
Hi there,
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August! Virginie
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August! Virginie
Hi there,
I’ve been road cycling for several years, and I’m about to switch to gravel in the next few days—I’m waiting for my bike, which should arrive this week.
I’m planning a bikepacking trip in a few weeks along the Véloroute V81, also known as the Vélosud, from Biarritz to Le Barcarès.
Has anyone here already done this route? Any info is welcome, whether it’s about the route itself, gear, or accommodation. I’ll prioritize staying with locals as much as possible. On that note, I just signed up for the brand-new site *Guidon et Couette* ((www.guidon-et-couette.fr)), which offers free accommodation between cyclists across the country, but there’s almost no one listed along my route!
Thanks in advance.
Laurent.
Hi there, I’m planning a cross-Canada bike trip, and I’ve got a question that might seem silly, but could someone tell me how to pack a bike (in a box, with a fragile sticker... I don’t know) for a flight? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
This summer, we’re planning to cycle along the EV 19 that follows the Meuse River from Langres all the way to Rotterdam. My question is about getting back to Nantes. Do any of you know what the best return option might be? I’d love to hear about your experiences. I saw that FlixBus doesn’t take bikes. By train, I think it’s possible but would involve multiple local trains. We were also wondering if there’s a boat from Rotterdam to Saint-Nazaire that could take passengers with bikes.
Any tips or experiences you can share would be really helpful—thanks in advance! Have a great evening
This summer, we’re planning to cycle along the EV 19 that follows the Meuse River from Langres all the way to Rotterdam. My question is about getting back to Nantes. Do any of you know what the best return option might be? I’d love to hear about your experiences. I saw that FlixBus doesn’t take bikes. By train, I think it’s possible but would involve multiple local trains. We were also wondering if there’s a boat from Rotterdam to Saint-Nazaire that could take passengers with bikes.
Any tips or experiences you can share would be really helpful—thanks in advance! Have a great evening
I’ve gotten used to crossing Europe by bus to return by bike.
It was really convenient to take the bike without having to disassemble it.
But FlixBus no longer accepts bikes...
What alternatives do you know about?
Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m planning to ride the Dutch section of the EuroVelo 19, from Maastricht to Rotterdam.
Since it’s too complicated to bring my bike on the train, I’m looking to rent one locally.
I’d love any tips or bike rental shop recommendations—I’m struggling to find options even in Rotterdam.
The plan is to rent in Rotterdam, take the train to Maastricht with the bike, then cycle back to Rotterdam.
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Nath
Coming soon:
https://www.Biclou.com/parcours/durance/
Starting from Faverges: 900 km over 9 days

Here’s the detailed Durance route starting from Briançon

Here’s the detailed Durance route starting from Briançon

Hi there,
I’m planning to build a new touring bike. I want to prioritize lightness. That said, I’m tempted by a suspension fork that could offer some comfort on rougher roads. The recent appearance of gravel suspension forks on the market might meet my needs—at least on paper. I’m particularly considering the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork. Unlike MTB forks, its travel is short: either 30 mm or 40 mm. It weighs 1400 g, which is 400/500 g more than a steel fork.
Any thoughts or real-world feedback on this?
I’m also wondering about the durability of magnesium (lower leg) for long-distance bike touring. And what’s the impact of skipping the manufacturer-recommended maintenance every 50 and 200 hours? That’s bound to happen on a long trip unless you carry extra gear. More generally, how reliable are these kinds of forks?
Thanks in advance
I’m planning to build a new touring bike. I want to prioritize lightness. That said, I’m tempted by a suspension fork that could offer some comfort on rougher roads. The recent appearance of gravel suspension forks on the market might meet my needs—at least on paper. I’m particularly considering the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork. Unlike MTB forks, its travel is short: either 30 mm or 40 mm. It weighs 1400 g, which is 400/500 g more than a steel fork.
Any thoughts or real-world feedback on this?
I’m also wondering about the durability of magnesium (lower leg) for long-distance bike touring. And what’s the impact of skipping the manufacturer-recommended maintenance every 50 and 200 hours? That’s bound to happen on a long trip unless you carry extra gear. More generally, how reliable are these kinds of forks?
Thanks in advance







