SPOT Satelite Personal Tracker

[ICEMAN]

So far in town, responses are immediatley sent to our home email and wifes phone, not much of a delay, maybe minutes....I will time a few responses this weekend.......cant imagine they would be any different in the back country...

[rainshadow1]

No, I haven't heard of any, just needed to confirm. Thought about that immediately when I first saw the ad. Iv'e sent e-mails that got there quicker than I could open the other account, and some that took half a day. Just wondered, as that would render the spot almost useless.

Looking forward to more reports, Ice. Thanks very much for taking the time.

[brokenbone]

my question is if you have a prearranged setup with your wife.  like if i hit the all is good twice i got one and will be late.  or if you hit it once you didn't and so forth.  did the carrier say anything about over use and can you send more than one message in a give  time?

[ICEMAN]

From what I understand, no limits on useage. Boy wouldnt that suck, sorry, your 911 message did not send since you are over your monthly allotment of calls....    

[addicted]

whoever gets one give me access to the tracking so i can see where you go lol

[ICEMAN]

OK guys, just got back from 8 days in the field, here is my little report about the practicality of the device.

I used the device to report home to the wife that all was well each morning and each evening for 8 days, plus a few extra messages just to see if it would function deep in a canyon and in heavy timber, or from inside the vehicle.

Morning and evening messages were sent from the hood of the truck, from laying on the ground or from in my morning stand waiting for first light.

The device worked really well in all places I tried it.

I personally enjoyed being able to check in with the family and let them know for sure that all was well, in areas where cell phone use is not possible.

My wife and family really liked getting the messages onto "Mom's" phone.  The links to a Google Map of where you were checking in from were easy to use, and I confirm they were incredibly accurate. (Hope nobody can scam my  fav hunting spot from them.....)

We have another camp near our high country camp, where we treat the other camp to dinner, trade off each year. In this other camp, an older gentleman who solo gold pans and hunts each year is definitely going to get one of these devices under the tree at xmas. The older gentlemens son was very interested in the device so his dad could check in with the family.

Look, I like techno crap as much as the next guy, but this one could save your life. Your fancy new GPS, range finder, handheld radio, even that new cell phone are sure nice, but not one of them can help start a rescue for you if you really needed to. 

I am going to keep this and use it. Good for family appeasement. May save your butt some day.....

[300rum]

It sounds like a really good idea but I hate to put another thing in my pack.  Whoever comes up with a sat phone with a button to push to inform family of location, and a GPS is going to make money.

[actionshooter]

Thanks for the review Iceman,
 I have been thinking about one of these for a while, after reading your post, Cabelas got some more of my money today.
 Its worth the peace of mind when I'm way out. 

[Machias]

Sweeet, Thanks for the detailed update.  I ride my mules by myslef alot and I snowmobile alot, sounds like a device I need.  Thanks for doing the testing!!

[Antlershed]

Did you get the chance to try it out under thicker cover (trees) where you can't see the sky much? Just curious as to its ability if it cant see the sky directly. Thanks.

[ICEMAN]

Machias, no prob. I am happy with the device so far. May take it to the duck blind too.

Antlershed, not super thick canopy. Eastern wa, pine forest. I will give it a try this weekend on the wet side / winston Ck as I try to get my son in front of a blackie this weekend.... will let you know...

I also thought of trying it in a steel bucket, to see if it truly sends the last know gps coordinate plus can communicate with the comm satelite from the bucket...

[Antlershed]

Thanks ICE. I have noticed where I have my tree stand, I have cell phone service, but because of the trees, my gps can't find the satellites. I'm looking forward to seeing how this does, as I have been thinking about getting one.

[Ice Cap]

Another user report for you folks.
I purchased one this year and have had excellent luck with it. It has worked everywhere I have gone, however I still haven't been in real heavy trees. I also spent the extra $50.00 for the tracking function. The tracking function worked great!

[Skyvalhunter]

Iceman thanks for reporting back to us, appreciate it.

[taylorpz]

I like mine, a lot.

I've sent messages from in the car and in the woods, without any delay or problems.  I've tried sending messages from a known location, then double-checked it using the Google Maps link and found it to be *dead* on (within a couple feet from where I had been standing).

Wife loves that i can check in with her.  We have a pre-planned code set up (time of day, messages sent, etc).  One plus is that I can let her know easily when I'll be coming out of the field so she can have dinner ready!

I go out to the field alone a lot, so this little bugger is some nice peace of mind.  My biggest worry is stepping bad and screwing up a leg or foot or ankle or whatever enough that I'd be stuck.  Having this makes that less of an issue.

Just my opinion.