Anyone Here Use a SPOT?

[Sliverslinger]

Hi guys,

My buddy and I are in the process of planning our annual backpacking hunting trip for elk in September. Although we usually get way back in there, we limit ourselves somewhat by how far we think we can pack an elk out. This year I am thinking about getting a SPOT GPS Messenger, both for my wife's peace of mind, and also so that I can set up a custom message to send to my buddy with horses who has agreed to come pack out our elk if we can find a way to notify him of when and where. I'd be buying that extra service where he would be able to see right where we are online and would get a custom message saying "Elk down, need help." My plan was then to have him plan to meet us at our camp the following morning. Have any of you ever used one of these before? How well did they work? The area we hunt has plenty of wide open areas so access to the sky is not an issue.  Any thoughts from someone who has had one of these?

[RB]

I have not personally used one, but I have a friend that has and it saved his life. He was back country Elk hunting in Idaho a few years ago and his horse rolled onto him and broke his pelvis. His hunting partner was able to use the SPOT to get a helo to airlift him off the mountain. Just my 

[Eli346]

 I've heard good things about the Spot and haven't seen a negative review yet. I bet they'd probably be cheaper than a Sat Phone.

[norsepeak]

Ihave the spot  connect, it works good, but I'd do some more research, there are others out there that use a better satellite system and you can send and receive  messages.  can't remember the name of it right now, but you can find it online.

[Smossy]

Make sure if you get the SPOT 2 atleast, Ive read a few reviews awhile back of people having satellite location problems and were unable to call out for help. The 2 is supposed to have had solved alot of issues. They even have a newer version for the more rugged person.
http://www.jmsonline.net/spot-2-intrinsically-safe-is-gps-messenger-spot-2-is.htm?gclid=CIXH6OaqtbcCFYc7MgodnWoArA

[jechicdr]

I have the older Spot.  It was a requirement for me to be hunting alone.  Works fine.  Need to have an open view of the sky but that's not usually too much of a problem.  If I were to invest now, I'd get the one that connects to your phone and you can send customized text messages rather than limited to couple of messages.  Where I elk hunt, my camp usually has some cell coverage, but most of my hunting spots do not, so the spot is nice, especially if I am taking a little longer to get back to camp (tracking a downed elk is a good example) so my wife does not worry that I have been mauled by a bear or fell off a cliff (though my hunting spot is relatively flat).  Would recommend a solar charger for the cell phone if you use the newer system or you have some spotty cell coverage in the area you hunt.  Seems to eat up the charge a lot faster when the signal is not that great.  Much more efficient to hike to a place you know has phone coverage and call the wife or pack horses.

[Smossy]

I have the older Spot.  It was a requirement for me to be hunting alone.  Works fine.  Need to have an open view of the sky but that's not usually too much of a problem.  If I were to invest now, I'd get the one that connects to your phone and you can send customized text messages rather than limited to couple of messages.  Where I elk hunt, my camp usually has some cell coverage, but most of my hunting spots do not, so the spot is nice, especially if I am taking a little longer to get back to camp (tracking a downed elk is a good example) so my wife does not worry that I have been mauled by a bear or fell off a cliff (though my hunting spot is relatively flat).  Would recommend a solar charger for the cell phone if you use the newer system or you have some spotty cell coverage in the area you hunt.  Seems to eat up the charge a lot faster when the signal is not that great.  Much more efficient to hike to a place you know has phone coverage and call the wife or pack horses.

They make this one to, a take anywhere sattelite for go anywhere cell coverage...
http://www.rei.com/product/816133/spot-connect-satellite-communicator?cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-pla-_-product-_-816133&mr:referralID=60a102de-c681-11e2-9dea-001b2166becc

[KFhunter]

I don't know about the cell phone version, will it work if the cell phone is lost or dead?

I got into the older SPOT when they first came out and found I didn't like it very much, you never really could trust if the signal went out even if you followed all the rules. (20 minute wait, open sky yada yada)

I also had the track feature and found that it skipped large portions of my trail - if not the bulk of my trail.   I had the SPOT at the very top of my backpack face up to the sky.


I decided I would cancel my subscription and hope that a much better SPOT would come out that is reliable, one that would certify your message went out.


Reading the reviews at SMOSSY's link it looks like I'll be waiting ahwile longer. 
It's a shame as I really could use a device like this - but they do not have my trust. 

[Bob33]

If your life depends on it, take a sat phone or PLB.

[hike2hunt]

I have one and have been using it for over 6 yrs. I personally have not had any problems. I upgraded to the 2nd gen this year for the same purpose as you want; send a custom message to help get an animal out. My wife enjoys the piece of mind.

[Simcoe hunter]

If your life depends on it, take a sat phone or PLB.

Have you used any of the other two that you mentioned Bob33?  Any recommendations?

[washelkhunter]

I carry one but happily have not needed to use it.

[Simcoe hunter]

Make sure if you get the SPOT 2 atleast, Ive read a few reviews awhile back of people having satellite location problems and were unable to call out for help. The 2 is supposed to have had solved alot of issues. They even have a newer version for the more rugged person.
http://www.jmsonline.net/spot-2-intrinsically-safe-is-gps-messenger-spot-2-is.htm?gclid=CIXH6OaqtbcCFYc7MgodnWoArA

Smossy- the intrinsically safe nomenclature refers to it not making arcs and sparks that could ignite the atmosphere in a hazardous location such as a refinery.  They may be a little more hardened than a standard model, but not necessarily.

[Bob33]

If your life depends on it, take a sat phone or PLB.

Have you used any of the other two that you mentioned Bob33?  Any recommendations?

If I plan to go solo to an area without cellular coverage, I always take a satellite phone. Nothing beats the ability to carry on a two way conversation

[Simcoe hunter]

If your life depends on it, take a sat phone or PLB.

Have you used any of the other two that you mentioned Bob33?  Any recommendations?

If I plan to go solo to an area without cellular coverage, I always take a satellite phone. Nothing beats the ability to carry on a two way conversation

Good to know, thank you.  Is that something you can rent from REI or Cabela's?