SPOT-F (Fastloc®) tags are highly accurate satellite transmitting tags designed for monitoring fine-scale horizontal movements of free-ranging marine animals.
Fastloc technology is what sets these tags apart. Fastloc uses GPS to acquire highly accurate locations in under a second which are subsequently transmitted through the Argos satellite system. Fastloc allows for tracking animals that surface too quickly for a traditional GPS or Argos fix. Additionally, a Fastloc tag is able to acquire highly accurate positions every few minutes compared to a maximum of a few dozen a day with Argos-only tags.
SPOT-F tags work best for marine animals that are at the surface regularly like sea turtles, marine mammals, and some sharks but particularly those that surface quickly like dolphins and small whales.
SPOT-F tags are currently available in fin mounted models for sharks and small cetaceans and can be made in other configurations. Contact Wildlife Computers about the best solution for your research animal. Fastloc is also available in a variety of shapes and sizes on our SPLASH tags.
This user guide gives you all the essential information needed for interacting with, configuring, and deploying this tag.
USB Communications Cable Driver – 29-March 2023
Driver for the Wildlife Computers USB Communications cable.
Administer settings to your tag.
Calculate locations from Fastloc® snapshots, satellite ephemerides, and seed locations. This software is an integrated component of the Wildlife Computers Data Portal and runs exclusively on our Internet servers.
Below are the physical specifications of the SPOT-F. Numerous shapes are available with the same feature-set technology.
Sensors | Temperature, Wet/Dry, Fastloc |
Pressure Rating (m) | 2000 meters for most shapes |
Operating Frequency | 401.678 MHz |
Temperature Sensor Range | -40° C to 60° C |
Temperature Sensor Resolution | 0.05° C |
Optimal Storage Temperature Range | 0° C to 5° C |
Conductivity operational limits | 0.1 to 5 S/m* |
Length (mm), Diameter (mm), Weight (g) | ** |
Maximum deployment length | ** |
* Conductivity Operational Limits can be customized for freshwater applications. Please contact Wildlife Computers to
learn more.
** Specification is dependent upon the configuration model. You can see different SPOT configurations here.
For more information, visit our website at www. wildlifecomputers.com, send an email to tags@ wildlifecomputers.com, or call (425) 881-3048.
Tag features and specifications subject to change without notice
Antenna length not to scale