SPOT, the good bad or ugly

H

hardee

New member
SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger

I have been looking at this device since it first came out. It is looking closer and closer. Still have some questions. Wondering if anyone is using it that has had second thoughts about it. What are they? Any problems that were not foreseen? Any issues with the Spot company or the tracking software.

Concerns about endurability, water intrusion issues, or vibration concerns?

I can see lots of good reasons to have and use, and I think the price is reasonable enough, but would be really disappointed if the tracking or annual fees take off like the gas prices did.

Thanks for any / all comments.

Merry Christmas

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I've been considering the Spot also but just found out something interesting about my new Verizon LG phone. It has the navigation program and in it it has a feature called "my place". With it you can text or e-mail someone or a group your location address and GPS coordinates. This may be old news but it takes me a while to get caught up with todays technology.
 
Marvin, Thats cool and I will be looking at my new phone to see if it does the same but cell has its limitations. I mean if you can get a signal out to give your postion then you can make a call. Cell phones RECIEVE gps but do not TRANSMIT. The spot is for those areas where you can not get a signal in the first place. I am trying to get my folks to get one for there boat before they go north this year.
 
I have a SPOT but have not given it a real wringing out. Seems OK, dunno about weather resistance.

Re: cell phone GPS -- when I look at my location it shows me the location of the nearest cell tower, but not where I am. Any ideas?

Warren
 
From what I've read including what's been shared here I really like what the Spot offers for the cost. If we didn't already have $1500 invested in a Sat phone we would have the Spot for sure now. The Sat phone even after initial price is to expensive to use for us other then in rare instances. Seems the Spot would be quicker to activate in case of an emergency and easier and less expensive to keep those who care informed of your where abouts. Am considering a Spot in addition to the Sat Phone mainly due to its unique ability to let others who might want to follow along.
 
Thomas I agree the cell phone wouldn't replace a SPOT. I'm still playing with mine but it will send your location to a PC or cell phone. I just sent a message to my PC from a few miles away and it sent the address the phone was at but it also sends a message which you would have to manually enter the GPS coordinates. It really wouldn't be much use in and emergency situation.
 
Harvey -
We have been using the SPOT for almost a year. It is a great way to let the kids and friends know that all's well with us when on a cruise or extensive trip. The kids can follow us when cruising on Halcyon and "see" where we are on Google Earth satellite view from our sent-to-them lat/long.

Twice it has been especially a relief for them - last spring, while boating off the Peloponnesus Peninsula in Greece and there was a major earthquake nearby. US news reported it, but within an hour we sent a SPOT to the family and they knew we were fine (no effect on the boat since no tsunami). And again last week when there was a fatal bus accident near us (also reported in US news) and we had a SPOT out within a short time to alleviate any concern.

We have carried the SPOT on the boat, in suitcases, hanging on a belt, and have dropped it many times - still no problem. We haven't immersed it but have used it in a driving rain without damage.

It isn't an EPIRB, but for our use on and off the boat, it has been an excellent addition to our travels.

Yesterday, the kid meeting us in Colorado after our almost 11-hour flight back from Germany, could see our departure time, and flight times (and route) while we were on the plane, and know we would arrive at the airport here an hour and 40 minutes late. Handy.

Fortunately, we have not had to use the Help or 911 buttons, but it's reassuring to know they are there (especially when traveling on the boat or overseas when we are out of cell phone range). Any further questions, drop a P.M.
 
OK, Thanks again for all the responses. Another question -- Does spot send (I think it is the "checking in- I'm OK" mode) send those as e-mail to a preset address or a text message to a phone, or both or either? Also, how is the differentiation made between a 911 call and a nonemergent message. Who does the non emergent help message go to, the same contacts as the "just checking in - I'm OK" message?

Back to the experts at the C-Brats site. You all are great.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
hardee":2vh9j4zh said:
OK, Thanks again for all the responses. Another question -- Does spot send (I think it is the "checking in- I'm OK" mode) send those as e-mail to a preset address or a text message to a phone, or both or either? Also, how is the differentiation made between a 911 call and a nonemergent message. Who does the non emergent help message go to, the same contacts as the "just checking in - I'm OK" message?

Back to the experts at the C-Brats site. You all are great.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Click to expand...

Yes the preset Ok is sent to the email/phones that you have input during setup. You can change these at any time.

Yes, the none emergent send help goes to the same contacts as in the OK list. Well let me correct that it can be the same. You have the option to set a different list for the Help msg. So, it's your choice it can be the same or it can be different or a combination of the same plus different contacts.

Roger
 
The SPOT is a great concept and talking with others and reading the other post it works fairly well. Being up here in Alaska I continue to have very spotty coverage (no pun intended). Yes the coverage map shows full coverage but I assure you it is far less. We have used it on hikes and fishing trips and come to find that over a 24 hour period only on message transmitted or there was a significant (up to 24 hours) delay. The problems I have noted up here have been degraded transmissions while underway (greater than 10 knots) or while hiking with moderate tree cover. The only reason I still have it is because it seems to be an Alaska problem so it would come in handy for trips elsewhere.

The features are great, the we are OK, need help, and Emergency 911 options. We are able to select a group of friends and add there e-mail addresses so they get the message. When you activate the 911 option, the commercial monitoring company notifies the nearest resource (for instance, they contact the Coast Guard if on water or the local Emergency services if on land plus anyone else that you want to notify). Furthermore, if you purchase the insurance when you activate your account it provides up to $100,000 of coverage for your Medical evacuation whether at home or abroad. If abroad they state that the have pre-identified Search and Rescue organizations globally to assist in the event of an emergency. Hope this helps.
 
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