Who Understands SPOTWALLA? (and can explain it to me)

[SacramentoMike]

So I'm taking this big trip soon, and just set up a Spotwalla account and "created" a trip there. I haven't done that before, and I hope I did it right, but when I clicked on the link, I got a message reading "UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS--You are not authorized to perform this action. Please ensure you're logged in."

Well, hell. I don't want people I tell about this trip to have to create a Spotwalla account and log in just to see where I am. I must have the settings wrong, though it looked right when I did it. Somebody help?? Thanks.

 

[RossKean]

Go to the trip you have set up. Go to "show trip links". There is an address you can copy (use the "family and friends" one). You may want to tell people to change the % fill to "all" to get a better resolution (I think 10% is default). No expert on Spotwalla but this works for me.

Edit: Recent trip to Newfoundland:

https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=ae7053fdca8728758

Edit again: Make sure your security options for the trip are correct.

Note: I find Spotwalla works a lot better in Chrome than in Internet Explorer.

 

[Twigg]

You have set the options wrong

Either make the trip "Public", and get a link to send to your friends, or make it "Private" and send them the link with the password for the trip.

Using the "Family and friends" I think restricts those able to view the link to those pre-registered.

The way to get the most flexibility is as above.

 

[extrememarine]

I would set up a "test trip", play with the settings until you get it right, then transfer the settings. It can be a bit of a pain to get set up, but once it's there it's not too bad.

PM me if you're still having issues and I can walk you through it.

-Wayne

 

[James Burleigh]

Would like to get one some day myself.

 

[RossKean]

Using the "Family and friends" I think restricts those able to view the link to those pre-registered.

Can you open the link I posted? That was done with "Family and Friends" link. Essentially no security in the settings I used for the trip.

 

[zenwhipper]

I use Spotwalla for all my trips. Works without a hitch every time.

You can try this site/forum for support questions.

https://forums.spotwalla.com/viewforum.php?f=1

 

[Twigg]

Using the "Family and friends" I think restricts those able to view the link to those pre-registered.

Can you open the link I posted? That was done with "Family and Friends" link. Essentially no security in the settings I used for the trip.

Yes, the link worked for me. I'll have to refresh my memory on what the family and friends settings are used for. They may allow access to your Spot while it is on, but not on an active trip giving named people permanent access to your location (a good thing, imo).

Nonetheless .... Setting the Trip as "Private" and emailing the regular link with a password will work for you. You can even embed the password in the link, but I'm not sure of the details.

You can also set it as "Public", but if you don't want certain locations revealed you will need to set up safe zones.

 

[rogdeb]

PM'd ya Mike

 

[dcarver]

Mikee, Mikee....

 

[Bounce]

Check all the option settings. One thing to consider it turning off the display of speed during each ping.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Check all the option settings. One thing to consider it turning off the display of speed during each ping.

Not a bad suggestion. I don't think the police monitor the forum looking for offenders, but it's possible some other monitor might notice. And take offense.

 

[Bounce]

Or someone might use it as part of their research if something were to happen during a trip.

 

[Twigg]

Spotwalla recorded speeds have zero evidentiary value.

While I accept that Insurance Loss-adjustors might want to poke their noses into all sorts of places where they have no right to be, they info they will find on Spotwalla, or findmespot, have little more than nuisance value.

I wouldn't ever criticize folk for using "an abundance of caution", but in reality there is not much to worry about. Its not like anyone has yet come along and said their insurers denied a claim because that Spotwalla showed they were speeding.

So be as careful as you want to be, but lets not forget that this potential issue is just that .... potential.

 

[Bounce]

Anyone can claim anything (and sue for any reason). Even when you're in the right, it costs a lot of money to defend that right in court.

 

[Twigg]

Anyone can claim anything (and sue for any reason). Even when you're in the right, it costs a lot of money to defend that right in court.

Of course they can and, as I said, some may prefer to operate from "an abundance of caution".

But before this becomes a "thing", let's keep some perspective. I've never heard of a case where anyone took any action over a Spotwalla ping.

Has anyone?

Bear in mind that those tracks are simply polled from findmespot, and anyone would be free to get hold of that information for themselves if they could show cause. All Spotwalla does is estimate a speed based on unverified information from a 3rd party.

 

[RossKean]

Unverified information coming from an uncalibrated device. That device may (or may not) be associated with a particular vehicle (or individual) at the time in question. Don't think law enforcement would care to fight that one in court!

 

[Bounce]

Unverified information coming from an uncalibrated device. That device may (or may not) be associated with a particular ... individual at the time in question. Don't think law enforcement would care to fight that one in court!

Sounds like red light cameras and tag-scanning toll ways. Hmmm...

 

[Twigg]

Unverified information coming from an uncalibrated device. That device may (or may not) be associated with a particular ... individual at the time in question. Don't think law enforcement would care to fight that one in court!

Sounds like red light cameras and tag-scanning toll ways. Hmmm...

Personally I abhor those devices. They are a blunt instrument designed to raise money. If they were only ever installed at traffic lights where there had been a history of accidents, then maybe there would be a good reason for them. Also, the presence of such cameras should be made very obvious. The stated purpose is to make the intersection safer .... Painting them hi-viz orange would do that!!

However, they are calibrated devices and while it is expensive (legal defense insurance), they can be challenged.

This needs a new thread if it is to continue