I think you are right. I will hard wire a USB port with an indication light for connectivity. Do you have a suggestion about who makes the USB port?
I started with cell phone based with service and Sw connect. I added find me spot and use that device for the tracking. Do you just use find me spot alone?
Thank you so much. Although I have done a lot of IBA rides, I am really a neophyte learning all the time and I haven’t had the opportunity to meet others,
G.
There seems to be some confusion about terms. Find me Spot is
https://www.findmespot.com/en-us/ This is a stand alone satellite tracking device. Commonly referred to as 'Spot', though they offer several different devices and service contracts, they are all 'Spot'.
Tracking on the findmespot web site does not stay around forever. Because of this, Spotwalla was created. Now a new version is out,
new.spotwalla.com that is a different web site with new functions that was created, is owned by and run by the same person.
Both new and old Spotwalla versions keep your tracks forever. This is very nice if you turned in a cert ride with track link from Spotwalla and it takes months to get your ride verified.
Unlike FindmeSpot, Spotwalla allows the use of several different platform devices. Spot, InReach, cellular varieties and likely more options as time goes on.
If you have a satellite tracking device, you should set up an account at new.spotwalla.com and link your Spot device there, create a trip and ignore FindmeSpot forever after for tracking. I have one 10 year trip and create specific other trips for events I want tracking for. The 10 year trip covers all my travel. The shorter trips can be made w/in that 10 year trip for things like rallies or a cert ride I want to have a link to send to someone and not give them my entire tracking history.
If you have a satellite tracking device, you do not need, nor should you really bother with, a cellular tracking set up, imho. You're just muddying the waters, so to speak. Cellular is not good for tracking, but it works most of the time.
Spot or InReach trump cellular every time. They have far fewer gaps and don't require cellular connectivity to function. I'm not saying toss your cell phone away, it's great for many other things. it's just redundant for tracking purposes. The satellite system is far superior and the only tracking set up you need. Linked with new.spotwalla.com it is an accepted form of supporting evidence for IBA rides. So it findmespot, but who knows how long your trip tracks will last there?
As far as a hardwired USB set up, that depends on your bike and what you are comfortable doing. The design shown by KWThom works fine. I generally go strait to the connector on my phone w/o anything between that and the bike, but don't use an iPhone. This might work, but I don't know if the iPhone can take 12v -
LINK I prefer a panel mount design with a weather cap on some bikes. On others I like to run power into the tank bag and have the phone there to charge. Others prefer a battery pack and keeping the phone inside their jacket. You could just buy a USB adapter that has an indicator light you can easily see. A little careful zip tie or tape around the plug is sometimes all that is needed to keep the cig plug from working loose.
Another option is to swap the factory power port to either a dual USB one or a
Powerlet design. The Powerlet design, also used by BMW and John Deere, is much more secure and retains the plug in the port securely. then you would just use a Powerlet to USB adapter to plug in your phone.
I don't feel the phone is a routing tool and don't place or receive phone calls while riding. I don't use music from my phone either. My needs are not the same as many others. When I need cellular tracking, the phone still stays in my jacket, tankbag or a storage cubby on the bike that has power if I need the phone charging.