I guess technically it’s a “12v power outlet,” but they will always be known as cigarette lighters (even though the lighter part of it just isn’t there.

Originally, the plan was a good one – broad and fairly unrealistic. I didn’t exactly want an iPhone, but figured that it would be handy on the trip. What I really wanted was something that could tell loved ones and blog readers (same thing?) where I was geographically via GoogleMaps embedded in my blog. Neat idea huh?

If I was in the desert on some abandoned dirt road, you’d be able to see it in pretty much real time!

There’s a program for the iPhone that sort of allows that. However, it doesn’t work off of satellites, it works off of the 3G network. AT&T’s 3G network may cover 97% of the population, but it only covers about 10% of my trip. What’s the point?

Oh, I was planning on plugging the iPhone into the cigarette lighter. But after finding out that I was ineligible for the upgrade price and would have to pay $300 for it, I passed.

Another option presented itself. It’s called SPOT and does exactly what I want it to.

SPOT was first suggested to me after decided to take that 100 mile stretch of abandoned US 6 & 50. There’s no cell reception and nobody lives out there. I’d be very on my own. If I were to break down, nobody would know until I walked to modern US 50 (about 16 miles), flagged down a passing motorist and got a ride into the town of Delta. It could be a couple of days. SPOT, however, would not only show you were I was, but would also allow me to alert family, friend and authorities should something incredibly inconvenient happen.

That, however, costs $100 for the device and $150 a year for a “subscription.” It’s not really a bad price if I were traveling non-stop for a year, but for less than a month, it’s a cost that I simply can’t justify.

So now Ruby has a cigarette lighter in the glovebox for no real reason at all. Everything electrical that I’ll be carrying can be used/recharged at the campsite. Maybe if I break down in the middle of nowhere and need a place to charge stuff… but then, I’ll be broken down and the cigarette lighter won’t work.

Oh well. A big F.U. to Apple, AT&T’s 3G network and a big hello to staying old school when it comes to plotting, planning and tracking road trips.